BLOOD MOON

Lucy Cuthew has published more than thirty children’s books, including picture books, educational titles, and nonfiction, and she regularly speaks on the subject of children’s books for the BBC. She was a children’s editor for more than ten years and recently graduated with a master’s in writing for young people from Bath Spa University. Lucy Cuthew lives in Cardiff, Wales, with her husband and young twins.

“A powerful, fiercely feminist novel that normalizes menstruation and confronts destructive cyberculture.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Written in verse with bits of concrete poetry, this book captures the joy of a crush, the despair of a lost friend, and the humiliation of being “that girl” on the internet. An excellent examination of young women’s friendships and desires set against the misogyny of their society.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Frankie’s story is piercing, raw, and true—not to mention relentlessly gripping. It’s also suffused with the sweetness and joy of being young and soaking up the marvels of our wondrous universe. This is female adolescence, crystallized. And it’s astounding.” —Lauren Myracle, New York Times best-selling author

A SLICE OF NIGHT

 I perch on the bench in

the planetarium staff room

and take out my phone,

with its smooth black-and-gold

star-spangled case, and

read all the messages

from today while I wait

listening to the silent room,

checking it’s empty

before I get changed.

There’s a message from Dad

and a ton in the chat

with the girls called

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY

(the only thing

any of us can make).

Dad

I will be the one in the

white ford behind the trees

at five past zero

hundred hours. D x

I think he’s being funny,

but I don’t get it.

He’s on another planet.

At least he’s agreed

to pick me and Harriet up

out back,

and not INSIDE

the ice rink,

like he wanted to.

I open PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY.

Harriet

Just getting ready!!

Bethany

Remind me why we’re going

to an *ICE-RINK* birthday party.

Are we ten again?

Leylah

Apparently it’s free cuz

Jackson’s on the ice hockey team,

but it’s totally so he can show

off to everybody.

Harriet

He can show off to me.

Apparently he’s amazing.

Bethany

I thought you liked Lee?

Harriet

I can multitask.

Bethany

Ha.

I’m secretly into it.

Marie

I’m openly into it.

It’ll be fun.

Harriet

What you all wearing?

Leylah

Shorts and a crop top . . .

And a giant hoodie,

to get past the police.

Marie

Erm . . . Ley, *ICE* skating . . .

I’m wearing two pairs of leggings

and an undershirt .

Leylah

Ugh. Changing now.

Warm clothes are so

unflattering on me.

At least I’ll be allowed out.

Harriet

You always look lovely.

Has anyone heard

from Frankie today?

Me

I’m here!

Just finishing work.

Tell me when

you’re there. XX

I finish typing,

then take off my uniform,

and let my dress

slink down over my

not-completely-flat

(but also not-yet-

satisfactory) chest.

A dab of concealer,

a pump of Benefit mist:

I’m good to go.

Jackson Twigger’s

Sweet Sixteenth

at the ice rink.

(Although . . .

Jackson Twigger.

Sweet?

LOL.)

While I wait for the girls,

I scroll through my phone.

Harriet’s posted a photo

of herself in our tree house.

#GettingReady #InstaMakeup

#Starlight #StarGazing #NightsOut

She looks really pretty,

her eyes all smoky,

but I know

the photo

is from

ages ago.

It shouldn’t annoy me,

but we’re not getting ready

in our tree house tonight

and I hate when

she’s being fake.

Under the photo

Jackson’s replied,

“ur hot.”

Harriet’s written

“thanks babe” and

added a winky face.

(Does she actually like him

or does she just like flirting?)