Hang the Moon

Sallie Kincaid , a spirited young girl, receives a Defiance Coaster wagon from her father, the Duke , a powerful figure in Claiborne County. This gift symbolizes freedom and the bond between Sallie and her father. However, a tragic accident involving her half-brother Eddie during a wagon ride leads to Sallie's banishment from the family home. This event sets the stage for Sallie's journey of self-discovery and resilience, as she navigates the complexities of family expectations and personal desires. The accident leaves Eddie injured, and Sallie is blamed, resulting in her exile to live with he

Theme 1: The Duke's Gift of Freedom

Hang the Moon uses its narrative to examine systems of power and the individuals who challenge them. Jeannette Walls shows how ordinary people find extraordinary courage when faced with injustice, and what it costs them to stand firm.

Theme 2: A Family Torn Apart

Family and belonging sit at the heart of Hang the Moon. Jeannette Walls examines how the bonds we're born into — and the ones we choose — define us in ways we often don't recognize until they're tested.

Theme 3: The Return of the Exiled

This thread running through Hang the Moon gives the story its emotional weight. Jeannette Walls weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

What Readers Say About Hang the Moon

Hang the Moon has resonated with readers for its emotional honesty and vivid storytelling. Many describe finishing it in a single sitting — drawn forward by Jeannette Walls's prose and an almost desperate need to know how it ends.

A Passage Worth Sitting With

"The Duke's Gift of Freedom" — Jeannette Walls, Hang the Moon

About the Author

Jeannette Walls is the author of Hang the Moon. Known for emotionally resonant storytelling, their work has found devoted readers across the globe.