Dear Mothman

A novel-in-verse about processing grief and gender identity

After losing his best friend in a car accident, twelve-year-old Noah tries to hold on to his friend's memory by writing letters to their favorite cryptid, Mothman. Although skeptical of Mothman's existence at first, Noah quickly discovers the cryptid might be real after all, and he bonds with the creature through their shared feelings of monstrosity. This middle grade novel in verse captures the weight of grief and ponders whether we can be made whole again after experiencing loss. Despite the heavy subject matter, the book takes on a hopeful tone and shows young readers that even if things might not be the same, we can find love and healing in others. Young and old cryptid fans alike may enjoy this novel.