The Moth Keeper (2023)

Synopsis

Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, the protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year. Her village needs the flower to continue thriving and Anya is excited to prove her worth and show her thanks to her friends with her actions, but what happens when being a Moth Keeper isn’t exactly what Anya thought it would be?

Night after night, it is lonely in the desert, with only one lantern for light. Still, Anya is eager to prove her worth, to show her thanks to her friends and her village. But is it worth the cost? And yet something isn’t right. When Anya glimpses the one thing that could destroy what she’s meant to protect, her village and the lunar moths are left to deal with the consequences.

From: Penguin Random House

Notes on This Title

The supporting cast of this title includes two men who are in a relationship, one of whom is albino.

Awards

Kirkus Reviews - Best Books of 2023 // Middle Grade
ALA Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table - 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children

Reviews

Starred Review: “Containing a deeply contemplative aura, this worthy volume explores themes of connection, mythology, personal growth, and tradition.” (Source: Publishers Weekly)

“A nature-based coming-of-age story aglow with the light of loving bonds and communal living.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Interviews

American Booksellers Association: “A Q&A with K. O’Neill, Author of March/April Kids’ Indie Next List Top Pick “The Moth Keeper”“