Dear Mothman

Description

Poet and author Robin Gow’s moving middle-grade novel in verse Dear Mothman is about a young trans boy dealing with the loss of his friend by writing to his favorite cryptid.

Halfway through sixth grade, Noah’s best friend and the only other trans boy in his school, Lewis, passed away in a car accident. Adventurous and curious, Lewis was always bringing a new paranormal story to share with Noah. Together they daydreamed about cryptids and shared discovering their genders and names.

After Lewis’s death, lonely and yearning for someone who could understand him like Lewis once did, Noah starts writing letters to Mothman, wondering if he would understand how Noah feels and also looking for evidence of Mothman’s existence in the vast woods surrounding his small Poconos town. Noah becomes determined to make his science fair project about Mothman, despite his teachers and parents urging him to make a project about something “real.”

Meanwhile, as Noah tries to find Mothman, he also starts to make friends with a group of girls in his grade, Hanna, Molly, and Alice, with whom he’d been friendly, but never close to. Now, they welcome him, and he starts to open up to each of them, especially Hanna, whom Noah has a crush on. But as strange things start to happen and Noah becomes sure of Mothman’s existence, his parents and teachers don’t believe him. Noah decides it’s up to him to risk everything, trek into the woods, and find Mothman himself.

Robin Gow is a poet, educator, and witch from rural Pennsylvania. It is the Director of the Education Institute at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center and author of critically acclaimed books for children and young adults including Dear Mothman, Ode to My First Car, and A Million Quiet Revolutions. Fae lives with his partner and their many lovely pets. Fae enjoys wandering in the woods and any kind of arts and crafts.

“A hauntingly moving examination of grief, friendship, and identity, reminiscent of my favorite classics. Robin Gow has a magic with words, stirring and shining a light on the deepest of emotions, leaving behind goosebumps (and tears) for Noah’s story. This book is a gift.”—Kacen Callender, author of the National Book Award winner King and the Dragonflies“Dear Mothman gives us all the chance to step out of the shadows—when we’re ready. Gow has crafted a story full of secrets, sadness, and the gentle thrill of knowing who you are.”—Niki Smith, author of The Golden Hour“This tender story explores the emotional journey of navigating loss and feelings of being different. It illuminates the power of friendship, imagination, and compassion to make a person feel celebrated for exactly who they are. An important heart-book that will make young readers feel seen and understood.”—Donna Gephart, author of Lily and Dunkin and Abby, Tried and True***STARRED REVIEW***
“A ­triumphant coming-of-age story about gender identity, strength, and friendship, as well as the different ways that people ­discover who they are.” —School Library Journal***STARRED REVIEW***
“At times thrilling and always moving, Gow's middle-grade debut is unquestionably a must-have for all collections.”
—Booklist"Gow captures the complexity of emotions that arise amid grief and self-discovery. . .Poignant and sincere." —Kirkus Reviews“Gow beautifully blends verse with epistolary storytelling in this touching novel of a trans kid trying to search for answers about identity and belonging.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books“Noah’s journey through grief and coming out to the world is authentically messy and joyful.”
—The Horn Book Magazine

Additional information

Dimensions	1.3 × 5.85 × 8.35 in
Imprint	Harry N. Abrams
Format	General Trade
ISBN-13	09781419764400
ISBN-10	1419764403
Author	Robin Gow
Audience	Children, Teenage
BISAC	JUV060000
Subjects	transgender, imaginary friends, moth man, cryptid, middle schoolers, fifth sixth seventh eight grade, ages 10 11 12 13, tweens, magical realism, best friend, novel in verse, epistolary, poetry, illustrated, JUV060000, new friends, lgbt, middle school, fantasy, grief, gender, loss, children, trans, kids