For a child processing grief and loneliness after losing a friend, this novel in verse offers comfort and hope in unexpected connections, exploring identity and belonging.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is processing the profound grief of losing a close friend and feels utterly alone. Dear Mothman is a gentle novel in verse about Noah, a young trans boy whose best friend, Lewis, has died. To cope, Noah writes letters to Mothman, a cryptid Lewis loved, exploring his feelings of loss and isolation. The story follows Noah as he turns his interest in Mothman into a science project, which helps him connect with new friends and discover a sense of belonging. This book compassionately navigates grief, loneliness, and identity. Its unique blend of magical realism and heartfelt emotion makes it a comforting and hopeful read for middle schoolers, especially those who feel different.
The trans protagonist is misgendered by an adult and feels isolated due to his identity.
Sensitive Topics
The death of a friend is a primary and direct theme, serving as the book's inciting incident. Grief is explored through a secular lens, focusing on emotional processing, memory, and finding new connections. The protagonist's transgender identity is central and handled with care and authenticity. The narrative addresses the pain of being misgendered by adults and the joy of being seen and accepted by peers. The resolution is deeply hopeful, emphasizing community and self-acceptance as key components of healing.
Ideal Reader
A sensitive 10 to 13-year-old who is grieving the loss of a friend or loved one and feels like no one understands. It is an essential read for a trans or gender-nonconforming child navigating feelings of loneliness or difference, offering a powerful mirror and a message of hope.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, but its emotional depth warrants a gentle follow up conversation. Parents should be prepared to talk openly about death, grief, and what it means to be transgender. The verse format makes it less intimidating than prose, but the themes are significant. Discussing how Noah found his new friends can be a great entry point. A parent has just heard their child say, “I miss them so much,” or, “No one gets it.” The child may be withdrawing after a loss, or expressing feelings of isolation related to their identity. This book is for the child who is looking for a sign that they are not alone in the universe.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely be captivated by the Mothman mystery and the sweet development of new friendships. They'll connect to the core feeling of missing a friend. An older reader (12-14) will more deeply appreciate the nuanced exploration of grief, the importance of trans identity and representation, and the courage it takes to embrace what makes you unique, even when others doubt you.
What Makes It Special
This book's brilliant use of cryptid folklore as a container for grief is unique. It externalizes big, scary feelings into something mysterious and wondrous, making them easier to approach. The novel-in-verse format offers an accessible, emotionally resonant entry point to a heavy topic, and the specific intersection of grief and trans joy provides vital, heartfelt representation.
Read plot summary
Noah, a young trans boy, is reeling from the recent death of his best friend, Lewis, the only other trans boy at school. Feeling isolated in his grief, Noah begins writing letters to Mothman, a cryptid Lewis adored. This correspondence inspires him to make Mothman the subject of his science fair project, against his teacher's advice to choose something “real.” Through his project, Noah connects with a group of girls who become his new friends. As his belief in the extraordinary grows, so does his sense of self and belonging. The story culminates in Noah venturing into the woods, hoping to find tangible proof of Mothman and, in the process, solidifying his own path forward.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Noah writes letters to Mothman as a way to stay connected to Lewis. If you wanted to feel close to someone you miss, what's something you could do, write, or make?
2
Noah's science teacher wants him to study something 'real.' Why do you think Noah decides to stick with his Mothman project? What does Mothman represent to him besides just a monster?
3
How do Noah's new friendships with Hannah and the other girls help him with his grief? Describe a specific moment where their support makes a big difference for him.
4
The story is told through poems (verse). How did this style affect your reading experience? Do you think it made it easier or harder to understand Noah's deep feelings?
