Walk Two Moons

“Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.”

Walk Two Moons follows 13-year-old Salamanca “Sal” Tree Hiddle as she embarks on a cross-country road trip with her grandparents from Ohio to Idaho. Along the way, Sal tells them the story of her friend Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother mysteriously disappeared—mirroring Sal’s own grief over her mother’s departure.

Chapters 1–5: The Journey Begins

Sal introduces herself and her grandparents, Gram and Gramps, as they set off on their trip. She begins recounting Phoebe’s story—how Phoebe’s mother vanished after a strange “lunatic” appeared at their door. Meanwhile, Sal reflects on her own mother, who left for Idaho and never returned.

Chapters 6–10: Phoebe’s Mysteries

Phoebe becomes convinced her mother was kidnapped, especially after finding cryptic notes left by a mysterious “lunatic.” Sal, still processing her mother’s absence, sees parallels between Phoebe’s denial and her own past. Gram and Gramps provide comic relief with their quirky antics during the trip.

Chapters 11–15: Unraveling Secrets

Phoebe’s father receives a letter from her “missing” mother, revealing she needed time away. Sal recalls how her own mother, consumed by grief after a miscarriage, left to “clear her head.” Gram suffers a sudden health scare, forcing the trio to pause their journey.

Chapters 16–20: Facing the Truth

Sal reveals her mother died in a bus crash in Idaho, never intending to abandon her. Phoebe’s mother returns, explaining her need for independence. Gram’s condition worsens, and she dies shortly after they reach Idaho. Sal visits her mother’s grave, finally accepting her loss.

Chapters 21–44: Healing and Closure

Sal returns home with Gramps, carrying Gram’s ashes. She realizes that, like Phoebe’s mother and her own, people leave for complex reasons. The trip helps Sal reconcile her grief, and she finds solace in her memories and the love of her remaining family.

Key Ideas

• Themes of grief, loss, and acceptance.
• Exploration of identity and self-discovery through journeys.
• Intergenerational relationships and wisdom.
• The power of storytelling as a coping mechanism.
• Understanding others’ perspectives (“walking in their moccasins”).