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A review by justabookishreader
The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely adore this book. I read it for the first time almost two years ago. I was still in college. This was my first time reading my physical copy. I had decided to try to see if a student I work with as a special education assistant, would enjoy it, and she straight up asked to keep reading it and told me "I like it. Wait, no I don't. I love it."
This book is so important to me. The diversity, the representation, the gorgeous artwork. But especially the theme. The way that depression and the feeling of not belonging or being important enough being made accessible for middle grade readers.
I am not exaggerating when I say I almost cried reading and describing the artwork to my student towards the end. (She has limited vision - can still see up close but I liked describing the panels without words!). Honestly this just reinforced that I want to do something to do with reading for the rest of my life.
I mean ideally I would like to finish my own writing and be an author, but in the meantime this experience is still a wonderful reminder of why I am so torn between being a cross-cat small group english teacher in my alma mater high school (where I work now too), being a reading specialist, and/or being a high school media specialist (librarian).
Unfortunately I am very aware of the fact that there's a decent chance that none of these jobs will be around much longer (thankfully I am in a majority blue state at least for now), but my god the way these sorts of books make children happy and understand the world around them, the people and the unique individuals around them, and the way that they just light up.
I asked my student if she wanted more from the author and gave her the option between Tea Dragon Society and Princess Princess Ever After (we will do both but not at the same time of course). She chose the latter. It was hella on sale for hardcover and I had a gift card for amazon so I ordered it. I told her "alright, it'll be here in time for class on Monday." And she just silently grinned and asked for a snack. That grin made my heart so happy. Honestly its why I love doing what I do.
(Also seriously can someone be in love with a publisher cuz if so I am - Penguin Random House - I know they're a big five but as far as I can tell they are the most ethical and the most out spoken against right wing politics and publish such beautifully diverse books I could cry)
This book is so important to me. The diversity, the representation, the gorgeous artwork. But especially the theme. The way that depression and the feeling of not belonging or being important enough being made accessible for middle grade readers.
I am not exaggerating when I say I almost cried reading and describing the artwork to my student towards the end. (She has limited vision - can still see up close but I liked describing the panels without words!). Honestly this just reinforced that I want to do something to do with reading for the rest of my life.
I mean ideally I would like to finish my own writing and be an author, but in the meantime this experience is still a wonderful reminder of why I am so torn between being a cross-cat small group english teacher in my alma mater high school (where I work now too), being a reading specialist, and/or being a high school media specialist (librarian).
Unfortunately I am very aware of the fact that there's a decent chance that none of these jobs will be around much longer (thankfully I am in a majority blue state at least for now), but my god the way these sorts of books make children happy and understand the world around them, the people and the unique individuals around them, and the way that they just light up.
I asked my student if she wanted more from the author and gave her the option between Tea Dragon Society and Princess Princess Ever After (we will do both but not at the same time of course). She chose the latter. It was hella on sale for hardcover and I had a gift card for amazon so I ordered it. I told her "alright, it'll be here in time for class on Monday." And she just silently grinned and asked for a snack. That grin made my heart so happy. Honestly its why I love doing what I do.
(Also seriously can someone be in love with a publisher cuz if so I am - Penguin Random House - I know they're a big five but as far as I can tell they are the most ethical and the most out spoken against right wing politics and publish such beautifully diverse books I could cry)