It's Make a New Start Week!

Hey, girls! It's Make a New Start Week at NewMoonGirls.com. By the end of this week, we'll have welcomed the year 2009! It's the perfect time to make goals for the next year and to think about everything that happened in 2008.

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? What will you always remember about 2008? Leave a comment here or at NewMoonGirls.com to share your thoughts with us!

Joyous Kwanzaa!

Today is the last day of Winter Holidays Week at NewMoonGirls.com, but the first day of the celebration of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival honoring African culture, values, and history. You can learn more from this write-up on NewMoonGirls.com. And if you celebrate Kwanzaa or know some interesting facts about it, stop by to leave a comment here or on the article on NewMoonGirls.com!

New Moon Girls bring hope for the holidays!

Hey, girls! Today Glam.com, a website for women that has 25.5 million visitors every month, is running an inspirational slide show with quotes from YOU! Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts about the holidays. You can see the slideshow here.

And don't forget that it's Winter Holidays Week at NewMoonGirls.com, featuring YOUR holiday stories and traditions all week!

Happy Holidays!

It's Winter Holidays Week at NewMoonGirls.com, and today we're celebrating the first full day of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrating the Jews' victory against persecution from the Greeks thousands of years ago. You can learn more about this holiday and celebrate with us here.

Happy Hanukkah!

Book Review: The Year The Swallows Came Early by Katherine FitzMaurice.

Hey, girls! Two of New Moon Girls' Launch Board Members, Pammy and Alexa, got their hands on advance copies of The Year the Swallows Came Early by Katherine FitzMaurice, which will go on sale February 3rd, 2009. Here's what they had to say about it!

Book Review: The Year The Swallows Came Early by Katherine FitzMaurice.

Book Review #1

Groovy Robinson is not fortunate enough to have what she considers a normal life for an 11-year-old. When Groovy watches as her father is taken away in a police car, she is stunned. Later, she is even more astonished when she recalls this scene for her mother, and her mother reveals that she's the one who called the police. As it turns out, Groovy’s dad had stolen $25,000 from a bank account that was left for Groovy by her great-grandmother, Eleanor, after whom she was named. (Groovy is her nickname.) She is utterly devastated: that money was rightfully hers; she even knew what she was going to do with it--go to cooking school.

She begins to make chocolate-covered strawberries to earn the money to make sure her dreams can still become a reality. Eventually Groovy’s dad is put on probation, and he begins to plan how he will be paying her back. This book brings out important concepts and ideas that from which we can learn. We learn the beauty in our dreams and the power of friendship and family. And we understand that women are strong enough to survive hardships, and support themselves and each other.

- Review by Pammy, Launch Board / Luna's Online Board member

Book Review #2

Eleanor Robinison--usually known as Groovy--has a best friend named Frankie, a famous late great-grandmother, a dad who can't seem to hold down a job, and a passion for cooking. A lot changes with all of those things one year--the year the swallows came early, as it's later called. The Year the Swallows Came Early, by Kathryn Fitzmaurice, is a witty tale, narrated by Groovy herself.

Groovy lives in a town where a large group of swallows pass every year. It is the highlight of her small village. Year after year, the swallows come up to the local mission, and many tourists come to see them as well. There's even a local restaurant called the Swallow, which Frankie's stepbrother Luis owns. Groovy helps cook there often and hopes to go to a real culinary school when she's grown. Frankie lives with Luis, as his mother and stepfather left for a short "trip" many years ago. Groovy is very close to her father, who gave her her nickname when she was a toddler. She lives with her father and mother, who don't really get along. He mother works in a hair salon and lives by her horoscope.

As the story begins, Groovy is out with her father, when he is taken away by a police car, and Groovy doesn't know why. That question is answered, but many others are also formed. Groovy learns that her great-grandmother (who she was named for) was a very famous science fiction writer. There are many exciting plot twists that keep the story moving. Groovy, Frankie, and some new friends embark on a quest to find out the truth about who a person really is, both together and by themselves.

The Year the Swallows Came Early is a clever, sweet story with many metaphors and relations to family today. I recommend it to anyone, particularly girls ages 9 to 13.

- Review by Alexa, Launch Board / Luna's Online Board member

You can read more about the authors on the Spotlight page at NewMoonGirls.com.

Holiday Thoughts from Girls

Recently, some of the editors at glam.com, a website for women, visited NewMoonGirls.com and were impressed by what girls had to say about the holidays. They said they'd love to run a short piece on their site about girls "thoughts about the holiday season," and I invite you to share your thoughts with them if you'd like. It's a great way to let more people know what girls REALLY think.

Some questions to get you started: what winter holiday do you celebrate? What about this holiday is meaningful to you? What are some of the special things about the holidays that can't be bought? If you could ask for ANYTHING this year (like an end to hunger, peace on earth, etc.), what would you ask for? The TV commercials would have us believing this time of year is about "buy buy buy!", but what does it mean to you?

If you're interested in sending a response, please leave a comment on this post, along with your age. Thanks!

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

Hey, girls! Today is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day. Go ahead and indulge today by adding chocolate to your normal snack foods--you can dip pretzels, crackers, or fruit in melted chocolate or chocolate sauce. For those of you health nuts, dark chocolate has even been shown to have health benefits such as antioxidants.

Leave a comment over at NewMoonGirls.com with what your favorite chocolate-covered treats are and get ideas for new combinations from other girls.

Caroline Kennedy: Future New York Senator?

It was announced today that Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former president John F. Kennedy, is hoping to fill the New York Senate seat left vacant by Hilary Clinton. A native New Yorker and democrat, she has previously worked for the New York City Department of Education and is currently the Vice Chair of The Fund for Public Schools, a non-profit that raises money for New York City schools. Her uncle, Robert Kennedy, filled the Senate seat for New York in the 1960s.

What do you girls think about Ms. Kennedy's bid for Senator? Do you think that her family's history in politics will play a large part in whether or not she is chosen for the position? Give your opinion on The Great Debate board over at NewMoonGirls.com!

UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights

It's Human Rights Week! The UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights is the highest human rights prize awarded by the UN and is handed out every five years. This year, the prize was awarded to 7 people, with 4 of the recipients named being women.

Louise Arbour
Ms. Arbour is the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a former justice for the Canadian Supreme Court, and former Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda.

Dr. Carolyn Gomes
Ms. Gomes is a medical doctor and co-founder and executive director of the activist organization Jamaicans for Justice.

Sister Dorothy Stang

Dorothy Stang was a nun who spent her life working for equality in Brazil and the Amazon region. Besides working with the poor people living in those regions, she also supported environmental stewardship. She was killed in 2005 by people who opposed her views

Benazir Bhutto
Ms. Bhutto was a Pakistani politician who died earlier this year. She was the first, and currently only, woman to hold the position of prime minister in Pakistan.









What extraordinary woman have had an impact in your life? Visit NewMoonGirls.com this week to read more about Human Rights.

Today is Human Rights Day!

December 10 is Human Rights Day, and it's Human Rights Week at NewMoonGirls.com!

Human Rights are fundamental rights to which every human being is entitled. These rights are meant to let people live happy and safe lives. Here is a video produced by the Youth for Human Rights Campaign:



Worldwide, many people's basic Human Rights are often compromised. Today, check out the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Know what your rights are as a human, and speak up whenever you see any other person' rights being compromised.

Check out the Spotlight Hub at NewMoonGirls.com this week to read more Human Rights and what girls like you are doing to protect them!

Earth Day Photography Competition!

NewMoonGirls.com Earth Day Photography Competition!

Do you recycle? Compost? If you're involved with environmental activism in your community and enjoy taking pictures, enter the Earth Day Photography Contest!

Earth Day is on April 22, but NMG.com is planning ahead. Submit your own photos of environmental activism, and we'll post them on NewMoonGirls.com. A few might even get published in New Moon Girls Magazine!

You can read all of the rules as well as how to submit your photos here at NMG.com. Also, discuss ways to improve the environment with other girls at the "I'm the Change" message board at NMG.com.

Vote for NewMoonGirls.com!

NewMoonGirls.com needs your support! Click the above banner to nominate NMG.com for The Crunchies 2008 Awards.

Saving Money

It's Money Week at NewMoonGirls.com! Personal finance management is an important topic to think about, especially since women have traditionally had a more difficult being financially independent from men. It's important to develop good saving habits and strategies early on in your life, so that you can be financially secure later on! Here are a few tips for saving and spending:

1. Keep track of where your money comes from, and also where it's going. Each time you are about to make a purchase, ask yourself if it's something that you really need or want.

2. Make saving money a priority. Every time you get an allowance or receive money from a relative for a holiday or birthday, choose to save a percentage of the total amount (such as half) and put it aside.

3. Open up a savings account. Many banks offer free accounts for students and kids under the age of 18. Having an account allows you to track your money, as well as earn interest on the money you put in. Also, this will put you on the track to developing financial independence!

How do you girls manage your own spending? Do you have any strategies for saving or avoiding impulse purchases? Post your money saving tips on the "How To" shout-out board at NewMoonGirls.com!

Vote for a former New Moon reader!

Hi girls, my name is Jenny Chen and I am 17 years old. When I was younger, I was a New Moon reader, just like you! I was inspired by the magazine to do something about the youth apathy and rising cases of teen depression in my community. I started a children's magazine called JJ Express with my brother that showcases comics and cartoons illustrated by artists around the world to inspire youth to build a movement that creates lasting change in the global community.

We received a $1,000 grant from Youth Venture to publish the magazine and got help and advice from New Moon staff. Since then we've published 3 issues and are working on our 4th issue. We've worked with artists of all ages and skills, from all around the world from Brazil to Ireland! We've received letters from kids all over. It's just been an amazing experience.

JJ Express Magazine is now one of the finalists for the Best Buy @15 Competition and if we win, our project will receive $10,000 funding to expand our project. We are so excited for this opportunity to spread our message and put the magazine in the hands of more youths. But to win, we need your votes. Vote today and everyday and you'll also get a chance to win an iPod shuffle from Youth Venture.

To vote, go to www.genv.net/bestbuy or text BBYV13 to 32075. Want to learn more about JJ Express Magazine? Go to jjexpressmagazine.org.

Thank you New Moon Girls and keep dreaming big!

World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS Day. AIDS is caused by the HIV virus and affects millions of people worldwide. Although currently there is no cure, developments in medicine have resulted in longer life-spans and a higher quality of life for those who are infected with the disease.

Show your support for AIDS research and help raise awareness of this worldwide health problem by wearing a Red Ribbon.

You can read more about the causes of HIV and AIDS at NewMoonGirls.com.