Petambi and the Moon

Welcome to the fragile, yet hilarious world of teenage life which vacillates between independence and childhood with a budding awareness of sexuality. Petambi and the Moon begins and ends with a sophomore in high school, Petambi Jackson, reflecting upon the moon As the moon shifts mysteriously and changes, it is a constant theme through all her year, a friend, a confidant, illuminating her inner life. Petambi experiences first love, practicing a kiss in the lobby with John Baker, who is Will Parker in Oklahoma, the musical that year. We see her growth and stumbling steps towards her first love, her study of Genesis in English as contrasted with her pregnant teacher’s growth and birth of her baby, and the development of an old friendship, Henry Noble, who understands Petambi very well because his father, is an alcoholic. We see how alcoholism affects her life and also her fears and anxieties about men We also see Petambi’s invisible friend, Bear, who follows her to school and makes fun of much of what is going on. We also meet her best friends, Naomi and Carol, and her new friend, Leslie as they gallop through sophomore year. Petambi and her friends become involved with a girl, whose sister died suddenly, and she comes to understand, through talks with her mother and Fanny, the family cook, her feelings and experiences of Elinor’s death. Elinor was Fanny’ sister and lived in the room that was made over for Petambi when Elinor moved out to get married. Elinor returned to visit and died suddenly the next day. Petambi becomes able, with help from her friends, to face and pray about these frightening parts of her life. As love begins to enter her heart, many fears leave. Through searching and with faith in God, Petambi gains an understanding of herself. This book is set in the coldest wintertime in Chicago area, and the cold, ice, and snow make the background for an otherwise warm, funny, and spirit filled story. Because Petambi is a dancer, she often listens to Rachmaninov’s 2nd piano Concerto to relax, and has elaborate daydreams complete with costume, dance, and high drama. She also has elaborate ways of nonchalantly and accidentally meeting John Baker in the hall. One of her good friends has even more intricate floor plans for meeting the one she loves. The rehearsals in the lobby become more and more exciting, and Henry Noble creates a ballet on Genesis in which Petambi is cast as the moon. Moving from the rehearsals of Oklahoma to those of Genesis we sense a new world opening and spring finally coming for Petambi. Petambi’s relationship to her father is complicated and his drinking is destructive.. She battles to keep courage in spite of it and insists that she will never marry. She learns that John Baker also struggles with his mother’s drinking and loves him even more. Finally she gets the courage to talk to her father about it, and tell him her feelings. She hates the inner struggle of secrecy and covering up that pull within her. Henry Noble is able to look deeply into her heart and she begins to trust and love him. You will find Petambi and the Moon a lovely story full of ridiculous yet heroic teenage battles. You will sense the joys, the terrors, and the triumphs of Petambi as she strives to glow like the moon and set a good example for all her younger brothers and sisters. Most of all, you will sense how deep and wide and full become her love of God and the goodness of life.