
The Almost Moon
by Alice Sebold
A woman steps over the line into the unthinkable in this brilliant, powerful, and unforgettable new novel by the author of The Lovely Bones and Lucky. For years Helen Knightly has given her life to others: to her haunted mother, to her enigmatic father, to her husband and now grown children. When she finally crosses a terrible boundary, her life comes rushing in at her in a way she never could have imagined. Unfolding over the next twenty-four hours, this searing, fast-paced novel explores the complex ties between mothers and daughters, wives and lovers, the meaning of devotion, and the line between love and hate. It is a challenging, moving, gripping story, written with the fluidity and strength of voice that only Alice Sebold can bring to the page.
Genres
Banned or challenged 3 times across 3 jurisdictions.
Related Laws
This book has been banned or challenged under these laws.
Also flagged by 2 challenger groups
These groups have publicly targeted this book for removal. This is NOT a confirmed ban — it’s a signal that the book is on one or more challenger lists, which often precedes formal challenges in specific districts. See methodology for how we distinguish targeting from enforcement.
Timeline
Unified view of laws affecting this book and jurisdictions where it’s been removed or challenged, in chronological order.
- 22
- 22
Mar 25, 2022
- 23
May 3, 2023
- 23
- 23
May 17, 2023
- 24
Jun 30, 2024
BanremovedAlachua County School District, FL
Removed per FL Stat. 1006.28(2) — reported in the FL DoE 2023-2024 statewide report.
BanremovedClay County School District, FL
Removed per FL Stat. 1006.28(2) — reported in the FL DoE 2023-2024 statewide report.
BanremovedManatee County School District, FL
Removed per FL Stat. 1006.28(2) — reported in the FL DoE 2023-2024 statewide report.
- 25
- 26
All ban records (3)
Alachua County School District, FL
school · school district
Removed per Florida Statute 1006.28(2) following parent/resident objections during the 2023-2024 school year.
Reported Jun 30, 2024
Clay County School District, FL
school · school district
Removed per Florida Statute 1006.28(2) following parent/resident objections during the 2023-2024 school year.
Reported Jun 30, 2024
Manatee County School District, FL
school · school district
Removed per Florida Statute 1006.28(2) following parent/resident objections during the 2023-2024 school year.
Reported Jun 30, 2024