Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2023
Genres: Middle Grade, Novel in Verse, Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQIA+
Audience: Grades 5–8
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Dear Mothman
Content Warnings: Bullying, death of a friend (car accident), transphobia, grief, and panic attacks.
Publisher’s Summary
Halfway through sixth grade, Noah’s best friend and the only other trans boy in his school, Lewis, passed away in a car accident. Together they had daydreamed about cryptids and shared the journey of discovering their genders and names. After Lewis’s death, lonely and yearning for someone who understands him, Noah starts writing letters to Mothman.
Noah becomes determined to prove Mothman exists for his science fair project, despite adults urging him to focus on something “real.” As he starts to make new friends and navigates a crush on a classmate named Hanna, Noah remains obsessed with the woods surrounding his small Poconos town. Eventually, Noah decides he must risk everything and trek into the woods to find Mothman himself.
Review
Dear Mothman shows that it is okay to not fit in or feel the same way as others. The story follows a young trans boy named Noah who is experiencing deep grief after his best friend, Lewis, dies in a car accident. To cope, he uses his notebook to write to Mothman, a cryptid he is certain exists.
This book offers a refreshing perspective on the LGBTQ+ experience. Noah starts the book in the closet, and while he is eventually outed before he is ready, the story doesn’t dwell solely on trauma. Too often, queer novels use homophobia or transphobia as the only central conflict. In Dear Mothman, Noah is accepted quite readily by those around him, even if they don’t fully understand his internal world. Instead, the novel focuses on his feelings about the death of his friend and his unwillingness to accept that Mothman may not be real.
While the writing felt a bit surface-level or juvenile at times—feeling very much like a book “written for children” rather than a story that transcends age—it remains a poignant read. It is a great stepping stone for middle-grade readers into both LGBTQ+ fiction and novels in verse. It is a meaningful pick for any child who knows what it’s like to struggle to fit in.
🦋 The Role of Cryptids in Grief
For Noah, Mothman isn’t just a legend; he is a proxy for the friend he lost. Cryptids (creatures whose existence is unsubstantiated) often serve as powerful metaphors for the “unseen” or “misunderstood” parts of a child’s identity.
📝 Why a Novel in Verse?
The “verse” format (poetry) is particularly effective for stories about grief and identity because:
- White Space: The physical gaps on the page mirror the “emptiness” Noah feels after Lewis’s death.
- Emotional Immediacy: Short, staccato lines can mimic the feeling of a panic attack or a sudden memory.
- Accessible Language: It allows younger readers to tackle “heavy” topics like death and transphobia without being overwhelmed by dense prose.
🎒 Classroom & Counseling Connections
- Science Fair vs. Imagination: Use the “Science Fair” subplot to discuss the difference between empirical evidence and emotional truth. Why does Noah need Mothman to be real?
- Identity & Naming: Discuss the significance of Noah being called by his “real name” versus his “closet name.” How does language create safety for LGBTQ+ youth?
- Creative Writing: Have students write their own “Letter to a Cryptid” to express a feeling they find difficult to tell another person.
