Dear Mothman by Robin Gow

Abstract

Reviewed by: Dear Mothman by Robin Gow Kara Forde Gow, Robin Dear Mothman; illus. by Rebecca Harry. Amulet/Abrams, 2023 [320p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781419764400 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781647008208 $15.54 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 5-7 Sixth grader Noah’s best friend Lewis deeply believed in the existence of Moth-man, a man-sized bird with bright red eyes, and a creature Lewis insisted was not a monster but rather a cryptid: a creature that is “real—just hard to see.” Lewis, however, was killed in a car accident nearly four months ago and now a grieving Noah finds himself writing letters to Mothman in a journal that he leaves outside his house. He believes Mothman must be reading them because when he returns in the mornings, the journal is always open to the latest letter divulging Noah’s memories, thoughts, and desires. What’s more, Lewis was also trans, like Noah, and the only person who knew that Noah’s name is “Noah,” not “Nora” like his family and classmates think; Noah now only has Mothman to talk to about his gender. [End Page 222] Gow beautifully blends verse with epistolary storytelling in this touching novel of a trans kid trying to search for answers about identity and belonging. Although the metaphor of a hidden, monster-like creature as an exploration of queer identity is not uncommon in art and literature, the thematic centrality of Mothman in this story about a protagonist as tender as Noah is nonetheless profound. The true strength of the novel is in the intimacy of Noah’s inner voice, characterized by his compassion, curiosity, and innocence. As an autistic child experiencing deep loss, Noah fears he may never make another friend in the genuine way he connected with Lewis, but in this story, both Noah and Mothman have a chance of being found. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois