Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron follows a young girl named Pearl as she transitions into middle school. While the start of a new school year normally brings Pearl joy, she realizes this year is different. Then the hobbies Pearl normally enjoys, like running with her dog, start to feel difficult, and she finds keeping up with her friends a chore. She does her best to make everybody think she is fine, but eventually Pearl and her parents decide to seek help for her from therapist Dr. Jill. It is then that she is diagnosed with depression, and Pearl embarks on a scary journey of understanding and coping with her depression.

Overall, I found Octopus Moon to be a realistic portrayal of mental illness that balanced struggle and hope. I think this books' availability to young readers may help many come to terms with or understand their own struggles as well as help kids to understand friends and family members who may have a similar experience to Pearl. I enjoyed the on-the-page therapy sessions, and hope it will help with the de-stigmatization of therapy for children (and in general). The book being written in verse allowed the author to convey the heaviness of the topic without it becoming too overwhelming (in my opinion) and made it easy to understand and digestible, though in some ways it did limit the narrative.

I also personally loved the tie-in and running theme of Pearl's love of the aquarium and sea turtles in particular!

Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Perhaps you've heard the saying, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." Well, I probably needed this book 20 years ago, but I'm delighted it's here today. This middle grade novel written in verse beautifully explains life with mental illness and depression. It follows 10-year-old Pearl, a young girl who can't always name what she's feeling, but feels it all. Pearl's voice shines in this story. She is so many things - a loggerhead turtle expert, skate boarder, fifth grader, friend to Mia and Rosie, sister, runner - and she also has depression. It’s part of her, not all of her.

Pearl’s story is emotional and realistic about the challenges of mental illness, while still being hopeful and empowering (remember: depression lies!). This is a great book not just for those going through Pearl's experience, but for anyone who knows a Pearl - and I think we all do.

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Pearl is entering 5th grade and everything should be fine, it should be great actually. But things in Pearl's life are changing and she can't seem to adapt. She feels stuck and none of the things she loves - her friends, the sea animals at the Gulfarium, skateboarding - seem to help. Pearl eventually learns the name for the dark fog weighing her down - depression. This story, written in verse, follows Pearl on her journey.

This is a touching book written in verse about a 10-year-old struggling with depression. It handles this challenging topic in a kid-friendly, sensitive, and relatable way. Pearl seems like a typical 5th grader. She has two best friends, loves being on the track team, has a wonderful family, and is obsessed with the octopi and turtles at her mom's aquarium. But, suddenly, she doesn't feel like herself. She doesn't want to do anything that she usually likes to do. Her friends and family don't understand at first but come around to be supportive and empowering and get her the help she needs to develop tools and resources to handle when the depressive feelings overcome her. I highly recommend this to readers who like books like Finding Perfect or All the Greys on Greene Street. Many books that tackle mental health issues are written for older kids. I appreciated that this book featured a slightly younger main character and shared the story so that an 8-10-year-old could understand it and be a good fit for older middle-grade readers.

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! My kid and I loved this so much! It was acute read that we got share together! Definitely worth the read!

Thank you Nancy Paulsen Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Summary: Struggling with depression amidst the upheaval of fifth grade, Pearl finds comfort in the octopuses she admires—creatures that feel everything—until small, courageous steps and the support of loved ones help her rediscover her own strength.

My review: A beautifully written novel-in-verse, Octopus Moon is a heartfelt and insightful story about depression, resilience, and the power of support. Perfect for grades 3-7, it offers a sensitive and realistic portrayal of mental illness in both children and adults while addressing common misconceptions. Pearl’s journey is both emotional and inspiring, showing what true support looks like and how generational trauma can shape perspectives. I especially loved the aquatic facts and Pearl’s deep connection to the ocean, making this story both informative and deeply moving. An essential read for fostering empathy and understanding.

Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Poetry, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile, Fiction

Octopus Moon is scheduled for publication on March 25, 2025, by Nancy Paulsen Books.

10-year old Pearl loves working with sea turtles at the Gulfarium, skateboarding with her best friends, and spending time with her family and grandparents. But soon after she starts 5th grade, she starts feeling like everything is too hard, and like she doesn't want to do any of the things that she previously loved. Eventually, she goes to therapy and realizes she has depression and tries to navigate her days slicing with mental illness. I enjoyed getting to know Pearl and her friends and family.

The reason I rated this 3 stars is because I found the verse to be a bit stilted. I love middle grade novels in verse, but the verse in this one fell flat for me. There were several times when like breaks felt unnatural and slowed down the cadence of my reading. Despite this, I enjoyed the book and plan to purchase it for my library when it is released later this month.

A beautiful touching novel in verse every kid and adult should read. Whether for the benefit of feeling seen as someone with depression or for the benefit of gaining empathy to better understand what people with depression live through. The world will be better as more people feel the power of Octopus Moon.

Pearl is a young girl who is struggling with depression and how to cope with it in her life. I really enjoyed the story and how well it describes depression. I especially liked the relationship between Pearl and her Granddaddy and how she comes to realize that he also struggles with depression even if he won't call it that. There are also lots of coping mechanisms descriped and I think a lot of kids will relate to this book. It's a very well written book, easy to follow, easy to read, and easy to connect with all the characters. Will definitely be recommending that we add this to our school library.

Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron is a middle grade realistic fiction written in verse. This novel follows Pearl as she navigates her fifth-grade year and all the changes it brings. On the outside, Pearl appears to have it all: the perfect family, great friends, her love of sea turtles and running. But inside she is suffering from depression.
This novel provides an authentic description of what depression can look and feel like, as well as coping techniques provided by Pearl’s therapist. It also includes realistic examples of reactions from Pearl’s friends and the adults in her life. Pearl is a character that all children can empathize with, not just those who may be experiencing depression themselves. Pyron’s managing of this sensitive topic is done with care, and she gives insight into her personal experience in the author’s note at the end.
This would be a powerful addition to a library servicing upper elementary or middle school students. I would recommend this to fourth grade & up.
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This middle-grade novel, written in verse, follows a young girl as she grapples with depression and anxiety. The protagonist is struggling with emotions she doesn’t fully understand, but she is fortunate to have a supportive family and friends by her side. This book will resonate with middle-grade readers, especially those dealing with similar challenges or those supporting friends who are struggling with mental health. It’s a heartfelt story that offers both empathy and hope. I can’t wait to get this book in my school library! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.

Pearl is a rising fifth grader in Florida, and she’s living the dream. Her wonderful parents and sister love her unconditionally, as do her beloved grandparents who live just down the road. Her sweet beagle Tuck goes everywhere with her, and Pearl’s best friends Rosie and Mia brighten her life every day. Pearl spends her days with her loved ones, running on the beach, and falling in love with sea turtles, and life is so beautiful…until it isn’t.

Depression lies.

It lies to Pearl when it whispers “loser; you’re a bad friend; you can’t do it.” It lies when it tells her that her friends don’t like her, that she should stop trying, that it will never feel better.

This book is a deeply moving and very personal portrayal of the realities of experiencing depression. My heart ached for Pearl as I followed her journey of trying to understand the feelings that she didn’t have words for. I love that her family and friends are so supportive of her, and that therapy is celebrated instead of stigmatized; so many children would benefit from support like Pearl receives here.

The author’s note in the back is also not to be missed. Pyron explains her own childhood journey with depression and recounts the people in her life who helped her through it. She writes that this is the book that she needed when she was 10, and I felt yet another tug at my heartstrings because my own 10-year-old self would have greatly benefitted from this, too.

Thank you to NetGalley and @PenguinKids for a galley! Octopus Moon will be published on March 25, 2025.

Pearl is beginning fifth grade with a lot of anxiety about all the changes. When she no longer finds joy in hanging out with her friends or running with her dog, her inner voice starts to speak negatively to her. Pearl's parents notice a change with her but it isn't until parent teacher conferences that they realize there is something big going on. Author Bobbie Pyron does a wonderful job addressing the delicate issue of depression in children. The choice to write this book as a novel in verse was perfect. Her author's note at the end is a must read. Kids need this book in their life, to promote empathy or to see there is hope.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free Arc!

A wonderful and moving novel in verse about a fifth grade girl named Pearl who is diagnosed with depression. The book gives a very realistic and gentle account of what life is like for a 10 year old with depression. As a lover of the ocean, Pearl identifies with the octopi who feel everything and wishes to be more like the turtles with a hard outer shell. The beginning of fifth grade is a lot for her and she starts exhibiting symptoms of depression. With caring parents and teachers, Pearl is referred to a wonderful therapist who works with her throughout the book to help her understand herself better and provide her with tools and strategies. With the help and support of the people in her life, Pearl learns to deal with her ups and downs while her love of turtles and her friends shine through. The author, who has depression herself, wrote this as the book that she would have wanted to have in her hands when she was 10 years old.

It is so important to have mental health books available. And even more important to have them accessible to children from a child’s perspective. This book handles Pearl’s depression with care and respect. I also appreciate the layout of the book, not sure if it’s intentional but the sentences are broken up into small chunks with shorter chapters. Books can feel like homework to a child. Especially, a child who is struggling with mental health. And this layout seems feasible to anyone who is struggling with concentration or just finishing books.
Octopus Moon is beautiful story for children who struggle with depression and want to be seen and heard.
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“And the changes at the start of fifth grade don’t feel good to Pearl at all. New teachers, lockers, and being in different classes than her friends is unsettling. Pearl tries her best to pretend she’s fine, but she starts to struggle with things that used to come easy, like schoolwork, laughing and skateboarding with her best friend, Rosie, running and even sleeping.”
✨
I appreciate this story so much and the multiple mental health resources at the end of the book. Thank you for allowing me to read this in advance.


Goodreads: Brenda (jadore_2read)

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this title.

I read this book in the hopes that it would be something I could pass on to my son, and I definitely will. I felt like the fact this is written in verse makes it such an easy read. I liked that we got to see the main character's family support her and help her get help. I liked the author's note and that the author provided resources for anyone dealing with depression.

This book discussed a very tough topic in a very approachable way.

Depression strikes younger and younger, and this novel-in-verse helps put a word to feelings.
Pearl's journey downward into depression wasn't overdone for her age, and I was so glad that those around her (parents, teachers, older sister) noticed the signs and intervened.
It was empowering to read of her journey through depression and steps toward healing not being a perfect straight path. Her verse will help readers have a words to describe the feelings, or have a way to describe to others what they feel.
It may be important for some readers to note that in the book, medication is not used. (The therapist specifically says that it is not the first step for someone of her age; it didn't feel to me like medication was villanized.)

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for the ARC!

Wow! I can’t wait to add this to my classroom library. This is a moving and poignant depiction of a young girl struggling with depression. I loved how the novel was in verse - it makes the beautiful prose and meaningful message more accessible for some students who can feel overwhelmed by the amount of text on a page. The verse truly amplifies the gorgeous writing. I’m always looking for novels in verse to help my more reluctant readers fall in love with reading. This book will be perfect and will surely capture the heart of young readers. Octopus Moon does a beautiful job addressing the stigma around mental illness. This belongs in every middle grade classroom and school library!

Although I enjoyed how this book showed depression is an illness and many people struggle with it I felt it focused too much on that for our elementary level students. It was well written and I enjoyed the verse writing.

This is a book that everyone needs to read. It teaches so much about depression. Even if you don't have it, it can help you understand someone around you.
Pearl suffers from depression, but she doesn't really know that she has it. She just knows that a deep fog is taking over and she doesn't feel like doing things she once loved to do.
She loves running and sea turtles and being with her friends and her grandparents. But she is feeling different and is hearing a "mean" voice in her head.
As her parents notice that something is not right they get her to talk with a counselor that helps her figure out ways to be more of herself again.
I loved the talk of writing things down on good days, so that you have them to look back on during not so good days.
I liked that this book looks at other people in Pearl's family that may have depression, like her grandaddy, who has "headaches" and struggles as her grandma calls them.
The verse in this book is really beautiful and is a great way to express what Pearl is feeling.
I have depression and I felt so seen reading this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

I loved how Octopus Moon follows Pearl into her struggle with depression. As Pearl struggles feeling unable to reach the surface, unable to enjoy the things in life she previously took so much joy in, she begins to realize that a dear family member may have a similar struggle. As she finds help, and shares with friends and family her experience, her journey through depression helps others see the depression plaguing their loved ones, too. And the whole community is affected for good. Talking about mental health struggles can be so hard. But I love how Octopus Moon shows that decreasing stigma around speaking up can spark a chain reaction of others also seeing their need for help, and getting that help. The image system throughout was lovely. I enjoyed the aquatic facts, and Pearl's attachment to the aquarium, and helping ocean life flourish. Beautiful!