Summary

In “Half A Moon” by Renée Watson, the first-person narrator, Raven, recalls being seven and witnessing the dissolution of her family. Her father left her and her mother to start a new family.

In the present, Raven spends her spring break to help her mother pay bills. Raven works as a teen counselor for middle school students. She recognizes one of the campers as Brooke, her father’s daughter from his second marriage. Raven has seen Brooke in passing before and refers to her as “the girl who broke my family” (4). Raven notes that Brooke seems uncomfortable. She sticks out with her expensive suitcase and sleeping bag. When Brooke sees Raven, she waves, but Raven ignores her.

On day two, Raven avoids her half-sister even when she hears other girls bullying Brooke for being...