Simon Mason

moon-pie

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Moon Pie

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A spiked children's classic, and an utter delight . . . A beautifully written, exquisitely touching but gently humorous novel.

Zany, thought-provoking, and humorous, Moon Pie is a high impact novel. Vivid characterisation and an assured, lively and sometimes lyrical tone create a wholly convincing backdrop for Martha who is struggling to keep her family on track through her father's alcoholism. Incisive observations combined with perfectly timed comedic movements make this a sure winner.

A subtle book that is very moving at but also full of wit, life and, above all, love.

Outstanding . . . This is a book that addresses painful events with a wonderfully ebullient comic touch . . . It's Mason's gift for the way that people, especially children, speak and think that makes the book gripping and absorbing . . . [It] addresses a difficult subject with a vigour and charm that will beguile any child interested in real life. The opposite of grim, its originality, tone and ebullience deserves prizes as well as praise.

This is a beautifully told story that is long on affection and short on preaching.

An absolute delight. It is honest, and tackles a difficult subject - the descent into alcoholism of a man who has lost his wife - with great wit.

Topics like dead mothers and alcoholic fathers are extremely difficult to address for this age group, but Mason tells the story with compassion and humour.

Moon Pie is a charming, unusual story that will appeal to any child who enjoys true-to-life tales... With plenty of wit and humour, this book addresses issues that affect many children with a light touch.

I loved this gorgeous little book. Its subject is dreadfully dour, but it's not a dour book at all. Firstly, no matter the faults of the adults in the book - and they are legion - the genuine love in the family shines through. It's always clear that where there's love, there's hope. This is an important message at any time, but it's crucial when you're writing for tweens and pre-tweens. Secondly, Simon Mason has an enviable lightness of touch. He can write about a midnight picnic so that it makes you smile even though you know it's actually a very dark event, symptomatic of how dangerous Martha's father's drinking has become. And thirdly, there's a wonderful cast of larger-than-life supporting characters. 5 stars

Best known for his Quigleys books, Mason tackles the sensitive topic of an alcoholic father with great aplomb. It's happy, sad, compassionate and funny with wonderfully drawn child characters Martha and Tug.

It is a well written book, which children aged 9+ would enjoy. It tackles the subject of parents with alcoholism however that is not the only story within the book. It is about friendship and laughter and working towards your dreams. Some dreams do come true and are worth working towards.

The characters make this book live. They positively spring off the page. Tug is one of the most loveable and believable five year olds I've encountered in a book...Critics will use the word 'heartwarming' about this book and they'll be right.

Candid and humorous...Moon Pie is a moving tale of the serious side of life.

Love conquers all in this big-hearted and heartbreaking story.

full of warmth and humour, often of the laugh-out-loud variety, skilfully intertwined with moments of sheer poignancy

Moon Pie is a charming story that will appeal to any child who enjoys true-to-life tales...With plenty of humour, this book addresses issues that affect many children with a light touch.

It will have you smiling happily one moment, sadly the next.  ... It is a realistic story about the problems of dealing with an alcoholic parent, beautifully written and a joy to read.

The modern and realistic storyline makes it easy relate to and understand and increases your knowledge and understanding on the subject. The author makes what could be a depressing or boring topic into a exciting interesting one. Making me laugh at times, the personality and quotes of tug and Marcus were very funny. Mason manages to make the deep connection in this family clear even throughout upsetting situations.

Simon Mason is highlighted as being shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction prize for 
his "moving tale of the serious side of life" Moon Pie.

Moon Pie is a wonderful, witty, well written book that addresses important issues in a funny way... The way Mason has portrayed the characters in this book is just brilliant. You can easily get lost in this book because the dialogue is written in a quirky, humorous way that won't make you lose interest.

The characters are real and wonderfully done. Although Mason is brave enough to address alcoholism, he has chosen to avoid using the word depression anywhere in the novel, even though that is clearly what Dad is battling with.

The topic of this book is awful, but the story is, although harrowing at times, beautiful. It is about family, love and making tough decisions that can hurt people you love even though it's the right thing to do. This book has more than a little Jacqueline Wilson about it, and it will appeal to readers of that gritty real life genre.  As a little light relief, you will be charmed by Martha's best friend, Marcus, a sometimes cross-dressing speed movie maker!

Mason tackles the sensitive topic of an alcoholic father with great aplomb. It's happy, sad, compassionate and funny with wonderfully drawn child characters Martha and Tug

Incisive observations combined with perfectly timed comedic movements make this a sure winner

Topics like dead mothers and alcoholic fathers are extremely difficult to address for this age group, but Mason tells the story with compassion and humour

I loved this gorgeous little book . . . the genuine love in the family shines through

Eleven-year-old Martha is used to being the one who has to keep her head. Tug, her little brother, is too small. Dad is too strange. And Mum's not here any more. 
 
So when Dad falls off the roof, it's Martha who ices his knee and takes him to the doctor. And when Dad doesn't come home, it's Martha who cooks Tug's favourite pie and reads him his bedtime story. And when Dad passes out, it's Martha who cleans him up and keeps his secret. 
 
But eventually Dad's problems become too big for even Martha to solve. There is only one person who can sort things out now. Dad.

Moon Pie is a funny, sad, bittersweet novel about family, love, and pies.

Simon Mason is an author of children's and adult books. His first adult novel, a black comedy entitled The Great English Nude, won the Betty Trask first novel award and Moon Pie was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Running Girl is his first story starring Garvie Smith. 
 
Simon lives in Oxford with his wife and their two children.

Moon Pie

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Simon Mason

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