Gr 8 Up—Moth, sole survivor of a car accident that killed her family, and Sani, a Navajo boy with an abusive
stepfather, take a road trip to the Navajo reservation where Sani's dad lives. As they drive, Sani tells Moth the origin
story of the Navajo, and Moth opens up about her grandfather, who taught her hoodoo. This emotional, educational
debut novel in verse builds to a beautiful ending.

I don't even have the vocabulary to state how beautiful this book was. I have reconsidered all my other five-star ratings because most don't compare to this.

If you're thinking about reading this, don't second guess yourself. Just buy it. Read it. You'll love it. ( )

This is between a 3-3.5 stars for me. Most of the book I was thinking definitely 3 stars and was getting a little bored with it honestly, but then something shifts toward the end that I wasn’t expecting and it changed my perspective on the previous parts. That I think, brings it up another half star, but it’s still not a 4star read for me because I didn’t enjoy it enough and it really dragged in some parts. Also for a verse book, I wasn’t as into the verse and there were some very cliche moments. I did still like the overall story by the end though and there were several key moments that I enjoyed. I also love the cover ( )

I really felt for Moth and her guilt surrounding her family. I love how Navajo/Dine spirituality and the history of the South (USA) is seamlessly sprinkled in. “Thomas Jefferson Had a Blue Beard,” “Things My Grandfather Taught Me About the South,” and “Things Sani Knows About the South” were particularly good and the TRUTH.

But neither Moth or Sani sound like actual teenagers. They are very otherworldly. I can’t get over a 17-year-old calling someone honey, but it’s cute.

The purplish flowery prose is intended and, at times, lovely. Despite the characters going through very serious situations (grief, physical abuse, deep depression, refusal to take pills, growing pains, etc) the writing could feel melodramatic. Perhaps, a testament to how everything feels 10x bigger when you’re still a young person growing up.

McBride can pack a lot into a few lines. I’ve become fond of books in verse recently, and this one is no different.

3.5 ( )

"But there is only so much prayer & if god takes sacrifices, only so much blood to offer. That day there was only enough prayer & blood for one of us to walk out."

Moth centers on a young woman who is navigating her trauma after losing her mother, father, and brother in an accident. While she is/used to be a gifted dancer, with dreams of attending Juilliard, after the crash she has held herself back.

"Therapist: You can't live too hard, Moth.... Less living won't bring them back, Moth."

This is a truth that Moth is circling around, while trying to form a connection with a boy she meets, Sani, who the other kids at school call "wolf boy". Sani is also learning more about his mental illness, and how to communicate with his family, so he and Moth decide to take a trip together. The author uses the form of verse effectively, this book is highly emotion-driven, so lots of dialogue, inner thoughts, which will not appeal to everyone. As a high school teacher, I would recommend this book for the classroom, or even to teach excerpts as part of a unit on verse/poetry. I think some students will find a worthwhile connection with Moth and Sani...it's a beautifully written story.

"My friend, I know I ask too much, but if your son can help her home, she'll teach him how to live." ( )