Noah’s best friend, Lewis, was killed in a car accident several months ago. Noah and Lewis were only out as trans to each other–not their families or at school, where Noah is Nora and Lewis was Ella. Noah, autistic, has not only lost his best friend but the essential sense of being known, seen, and understood. Lewis was deeply imaginative and determined, and for the sixth-grade science fair had planned to find proof of the existence of Mothman, a legendary cryptid in their region. Noah hadn't been interested in the project, but is now determined to carry it out. He starts with writing letters to Mothman. In them, Noah expresses his grief and loneliness, something he suspects Mothman understands. Leaving the notebook with the letters out near the edge of his yard, Noah (white) sees evidence each morning that Mothman is reading them. This tender, lovely novel in verse follows Noah from isolation and grief to an emerging sense of belonging and healing. His journey is helped by a connection with three other kind, imaginative kids at school: Molly, Alice, and especially Hanna. They are the first people beyond Lewis to whom Noah comes out, his trust well placed, and Noah is slowly able to broaden that circle to his parents and teacher. Supernatural elements are given space to exist in a way that allows readers to decide for themselves how to make sense of this aspect of a quietly captivating story. (Ages 9-12)

Winner, LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Lammy Award (Lambda Literary Award)

Robin Gow’s acclaimed middle grade novel in verse about a young trans boy dealing with the loss of his friend by writing to his favorite cryptid, Mothman

Moving and lyrical, Dear Mothman is a story about finding belonging and hope in the most unexpected places.

A few months ago, Noah’s best friend and the only other trans boy in his school, Lewis, passed away in a car accident. Feeling lost and alone, Noah starts writing letters to Mothman, Lewis’s favorite cryptid, wondering if he would understand how Noah feels.

At first, Noah isn’t sure whether he actually believes in Mothman—not like Lewis did. But when strange things start to happen around his wooded home, Noah wonders whether there might be something to the stories.

He decides to make his science fair project about Mothman, despite his teacher’s urging to study something “real.” As Noah’s mind begins to open, so does his world. He makes friends with a group of girls in his grade and finally feels like he belongs.

But most people are not so accepting, and he has no evidence to prove that Mothman exists. With the science fair looming closer, Noah decides to risk everything, trek into the woods, and find Mothman himself.

“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