Ginny Moon

Told in an extraordinary and wholly unique voice that will candidly take you into the mind of a curious and deeply human character. THE ORIGINAL GINNY MOON is a compulsively readable and touching novel about being an outsider trying to find a place to belong and making sense of a world that just doesn't seem to add up. Told in an extraordinary and wholly unique voice that will candidly take you into the mind of a curious and deeply human character. For the first time in her life, Ginny Moon has found her “forever home” – a place where she'll be safe and protected, with a family that will love and nurture her. It's exactly the kind of home that all foster kids are hoping for. So why is this 14–year–old so desperate to get kidnapped by her abusive, drug–addict birth mother, Gloria, and return to a grim existence of hiding under the kitchen sink to avoid the authorities and her mother's violent boyfriends? While Ginny is pretty much your average teenager – she plays the flute in the school band, has weekly basketball practice and studies Robert Frost poems for English class – she is autistic. And so what's important to Ginny includes starting every day with exactly nine grapes for breakfast, Michael Jackson, bacon–pineapple pizza and, most of all, getting back to Gloria so she can take care of her baby doll. GINNY MOON is a compulsively readable and touching novel about being an outsider trying to find a place to belong and making sense of a world that just doesn't seem to add up. “Ginny Moon is a brilliant debut. In asking us to identify with a developmentally delayed, autistic teenage girl and her peculiar obsession, Ben Ludwig set himself an Olympic degree of difficulty, but he succeeds with the extraordinary Ginny Moon. I was unable to put the book down as I willed her to overcome the obstacles within and around her. Ben Ludwig is a fine observer of human dynamics, and his sometimes dark sense of humor means that the emotional journey, challenging as it is, never becomes wearing. I was mightily impressed–this novel has all the elements for critical and popular success!”  –Graeme Simsion, New York Times bestselling author of The Rosie Project

About the Author :
A life-long teacher of English and writing, Benjamin Ludwig lives in New Hampshire with his family. He holds an MAT in English Education and an MFA in Writing. Shortly after he and his wife married they became foster parents and adopted a teenager with autism. The Original Ginny Moon is his first novel, which was inspired in part by his conversations with other parents at Special Olympics basketball practices. His website is available at www.benjaminludwig.com.

Review :
“Ginny Moon is a brilliant debut. In asking us to identify with a developmentally delayed, autistic teenage girl and her peculiar obsession, Ben Ludwig set himself an Olympic degree of difficulty, but he succeeds with the extraordinary Ginny Moon. I was unable to put the book down as I willed her to overcome the obstacles within and around her. Ben Ludwig is a fine observer of human dynamics, and his sometimes dark sense of humor means that the emotional journey, challenging as it is, never becomes wearing. I was mightily impressed—this novel has all the elements for critical and popular success!” — —Graeme Simsion, New York Times bestselling author of The Rosie Project "There is no guessing where Ginny Moon is going to take us in this page-turning, surprising, funny, heartbreaking, at times disturbing, and ultimately morally complex story. In Ginny's logical yet perplexing mind, it makes sense to try to get kidnapped by her dangerous birth mother. But something much larger is at stake, and we are left with the question—is love unconditional? What makes a good parent? A moving and thought-provoking debut."——Eowyn Ivey, Pulitzer Prize Finalist and bestselling author of The Snow Child “Benjamin Ludwig gives us a remarkable heroine in Ginny Moon. Writing poignantly and yet starkly believably from an autistic girl's point of view, he allows us to see the world in all its glorious mess, full of people trying to do their best and often failing, but heroically so.”——Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue "Fresh, funny, heartbreaking and real, you will love this novel. Sometimes an author comes along who captures the moment in its complexity and fierce detail, illuminating the world in a way that changes readers' perceptions and opens our hearts to understanding. Ginny Moon brings you inside the experience of autism, revealing the experience of it, not only what it must be like from the outside, but how it must feel from within. Benjamin Ludwig paints in every color with ferocity and ultimately, joy. I was galvanized by this read. You will be too. This is a book to savor and share with everyone you know. I did and I will." — —Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Shoemaker's Wife “Benjamin Ludwig's novel is a genuine and touching debut; Ginny Moon is a wonderful and memorable heroine.” — —Dan Chaon, National Book Award finalist, author of Await Your Reply and Ill Will “A heartwarming but refreshingly honest story about the making of an American family, told by a character who is, indeed, original—and impossible not to love.” ——Rumaan Alam, author of Rich and Pretty "Ginny Moon had me wrapped around her little finger from the first page, and I'd have stayed under her spell for a book twice as long; it made me late for many appointments, and I was never sorry. This is a thrilling, often hilarious story, as heart-pounding as it is big-hearted." ——Rebecca Makkai, author of The Borrower and The Hundred-Year House “If I could ask Ginny Moon one question—and she only does allow one question at a time—it would be what does it feel like to be the heroine of a compulsively readable novel? Benjamin Ludwig does such a wonderful job of conjuring Ginny onto the page and of making us turn those pages at breathless speed. Ginny Moon is a sparkling debut.” — —Margot Livesey, author of The Flight of Gemma Hardy and Mercury “Artfully rendered, heartbreaking, funny and suspenseful, The Original Ginny Moon is a veritable smorgasbord of a read that will stay with you long after you've consumed the final page. Excellent!” — —John Lescroart, New York Times-bestselling author "Ludwig creates a startling, powerful voice in Ginny Moon, a character who lingers well beyond the pages. This is gripping work." — —Erika Swyler, author of The Book of Speculation “In his riveting debut novel, Benjamin Ludwig has given life to the unforgettable Ginny Moon. With a compassionate and insightful voice, Ludwig shares a story that will have readers cheering for Ginny, fearing for her and wanting to reach inside the pages of this poignant novel to guide and protect her. Ginny Moon will live on well past the last page and will forever change those who spend a little time with her.” — —Lori Roy, Edgar Award-winning author “Benjamin Ludwig's Ginny Moon is both honest and raw. Ludwig gives voice to the voiceless. You might not know that the book is partially inspired by Ludwig's adoption of a teenager with autism, but you should be among the first to get to know Ginny Moon.” — —Alexi Zentner, author of The Lobster Kings and Touch “This book seared its way into my heart. Ginny Moon's voice is clear and haunting, just pitch perfect, drawing readers to move through the world as seen by her gifted autistic mind. The plotting is deft as she leads the adults around her to a brilliant climax and hastens their awakening of how strong—actually fierce—Ginny is about those she loves. Her heartbreak will stay with me, but with it comes confidence that Ginny will forge on valiantly encouraging those around her to be better people for knowing her. Reminded me of Me & Emma, which was such a beloved book.” — —Carol Fitzgerald, Bookreporter.com “I finished Ginny Moon and I really, really enjoyed it! It was completely gripping right from the start with a looming sense of dread at all the ways her story might become a tragedy. Ginny's voice was pervasive—I found myself thinking, “Well, dang!” and wondering exactly what time things were happening—and I loved being in her head and seeing the world the way she does. Likewise, the adults are all made both simpler and more complex seen through Ginny's eyes, and I marveled both at the ways they understood her and in the ways they sometimes failed her. Even though I was terrified for her, it was a joy spending time with clever, focused, brave Ginny.” — —Danielle Borsch, Store Manager, Vroman's Bookstore, Hastings Ranch “I was immediately drawn into Ginny Moon by the voice of the narrator and she never let me go. This novel is incredibly touching, at times funny but always pertinent and heartwarming. Whether you know someone with autism, or simply know what it's like to not fit in, you will love Ginny's story, and she will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.” — —Julie Slavinsky, Director of Events and Community Relations, Warwick's “I devoured it this weekend. I am pretty picky about first person narratives; Ludwig crafts this one with terrific suspense and tension. The web of Ginny's thoughts is complex but taut. I was completely empathetic to so many of the characters, especially Ginny, Maura, and Brian. I loved this story. It's like a cross between The Thing About Jellyfish and A Man Called Ove. It was just plain eye-opening to read an entire novel through the lens of an autistic teenager, and while Ginny's thoughts and motivations were clearly shaped by her autism, the ultimate message of the book for me was about really listening and building trust which is pretty universal.” —Adah Fitzgerald, owner, Main Street Books"Ludwig's excellent debut is both a unique coming of-age tale and a powerful affirmation of the fragility and strength of families."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *“This stunning debut novel grabs readers by the heart and doesn't let go.”—Library Journal, starred review"Enlightening...compelling...remarkably engaging...A heartwarming and unforgettable page-turner."—Booklist, starred review'I loved the honesty in Ginny and the understanding given to her from her forever family, teachers and therapists. They too have their shortcomings as they try to put the pieces together of Ginny's thinking… before it's too late.' —Sue Reid, PaperPlus 'This is a very special book about a very special girl. Benjamin Ludwig has done a stunningly good job of getting inside the head of an autistic teenager. Highly recommend! —Carolyn Scott, NetGalley 'Ginny Moon is wholly unique… I couldn't put it down… I couldn't stop wanting to know more about this girl and more of what she plans to do. An absolute must-read. 9/10' —Jess, Book Bonding Bookstore 'Once every so often, I read a book that is so special and so beautiful that I am left in awe of the author's work, wondering how such a story was created… Ginny Moon is the latest book to have that effect on me. I adored this book from the first page.' —Michelle Vamvas, NetGalley 'Benjamin Ludwig did a great job with this debut novel. Ginny's story feels authentic and is written in a matter-of-fact way. It reminds us about the importance of being patient and trying to understand and really listen. ' —Bianca K, NetGalley 'He displays an acute sensitivity to his protagonist's deliberate thought processes. He... succeeds in locating a plangent, unpatronizing humor in Ginny's literalness and deadpan certitude... And that's no small miracle.' —Jan Stuart, The New York Times "Ludwig has certainly given Ginny a wonderful voice" —Pat McKelvey, NetGalley