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!

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this before its publication date.

Wow! This was powerful. The story centers on Pearl, who is feeling anxious and many other new emotions about starting 5th grade. She struggles to put those feelings into words. The beauty in the story is only emphasized by the format. This is a beautiful novel in verse.

For ten-year-old Pearl, the summer before fifth grade is supposed to be excellent, leading up to an even better school year ahead. Unfortunately, things do not go exactly as planned, and Pearl can not help but notice that everything around her is beginning to change. When the school year starts and even more change surrounds her, Pearl tries leaning into running to clear her heart and her mind. But soon, everything that used to make Pearl happy no longer holds her interest, and it takes a network of support for Pearl to navigate her way through the darkness that surrounds her. This middle grade novel in verse is told in the first person from Pearl’s perspective, giving readers a direct look inside of Pearl’s mind. Short phrases and brief chapters define the pacing of the story, and even though Pearl often wants to retreat from the world, a relentless forward motion is always present in the narrative. The hopelessness Pearl feels is palpable to the reader, especially when Pearl actively notices the reactions of those around her yet is unable to find her way back to the person she once was. Though this novel is intended for a middle grade audience, adult caregivers will also appreciate the way in which Pearl is pulled into and through the depths of her depression. This is a thought provoking exploration of the onset of depression in one’s youth, and it is an important addition to library and classroom collections for middle grade readers.

Pearl’s story is one I know many students will relate to. And those who don’t relate will be able to learn about how their classmates might be feeling. This book left me feeling hopeful and proud of Pearl!

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC. This book is a novel in verse and it was beautiful. I loved Pearl so much and felt all her feels. I have depression since I was in middle school but did not know what it was till college. I loved how her parents got her help fast, even though dad was not fully on board. Having her grandfather suffering from depression shows how it can be hereditary and that not everyone knows how to deal with this disease.
This book should be in every school library, well done Bobbie Pyron.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Florida
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction, Realistic Fiction, and Contemporary Poetry

Bobbie Pyron’s Octopus Moon is a luminous, deeply moving novel-in-verse that captures the raw, often unspoken experience of childhood depression with breathtaking honesty and compassion. Through Pearl’s tender and aching voice, Pyron paints a story of struggle, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to heal—one small step at a time.

Pearl is a character who lingers in the heart long after the final page. Sensitive and deeply perceptive, she sees herself in the octopuses at the aquarium—creatures that feel everything. She longs to be more like the turtles, protected by a hard shell, immune to the overwhelming emotions that come with starting fifth grade. But life doesn’t work that way, and as school changes, friendships shift, and the weight of the world presses down, Pearl finds herself sinking under the surface.

The novel’s verse form is beautifully evocative, mirroring Pearl’s emotions in a way that feels both delicate and profound. Pyron’s writing never simplifies Pearl’s depression, nor does it rush her journey. The introduction of Dr. Jill and the “Impossible Thing” challenge is handled with grace, allowing Pearl’s path to healing to unfold naturally, bead by bead. The metaphor of the moon—always present, even when not full—perfectly encapsulates Pearl’s discovery that she is still whole, even in her hardest moments.

What makes this book truly special is its authenticity. Pyron draws from her own personal experiences, and that emotional truth resonates in every line. For readers who have faced depression or loved someone who has, Octopus Moon offers both solace and understanding. It’s a story that acknowledges the darkness while gently reminding us that the light is never truly gone.

This book is a gift—one that belongs in the hands of young readers, parents, teachers, and anyone who has ever struggled to find their way back to themselves. Octopus Moon is not just a novel; it’s a lifeline, a reminder that healing is possible, even when it feels impossible. #netgalley #octopusmoon #booked_this_weekend

Octopus Moon is a book I didn't know I needed in my life, but I'm so glad I found it. It is about a young girl named Pearl who is dealing with many changes in her life as she starts fifth grade. She is having a difficult time finding the energy and the willpower to do what she needs and wants to do. The story is written from her perspective in verse as she navigates her life and deals with depression.

"Depression lies."

This was such a touching story which I related to on so many levels. I haven't had depression since I was Pearl's age, but it has been a part of my life for many years. Never thought I'd see myself so much in this ten year old girl.. So much of what she expresses in these beautiful lines of verse is what I feel on my darkest days. It had me tearing up as I read many parts of her story.

Over the years, I have had to learn to cope just like she does with her therapist. I like how the author also shows how depression can be generational and the stigmas against it. She shows how hard it is to have an invisible disease that is only in your own head.

One of the best parts is watching Pearl and her family/friends working together to help Pearl get through the bad and the good days. It was beautiful to see her with such a healthy support system in her life. They are not perfect and it is important to show young readers how everyone learns and grows.

"Love is a verb."

Pearl's fascination with marine life, especially turtles and octopuses plays a big role in the plot too. I enjoyed reading the sections where she got excited about these creatures. It was heartwarming.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It will be great for the middle grade readers in your life, but I also believe adults should read it too. Pearl's story is one I'm sure many people will relate to and one I think needs to be read. Definitely, one of the best middle grades I have read in my life.

Pearl is about to start fifth grade and, though she has her two best friends Mia and Rosie by her side, she is feeling overwhelmed at all the changes it brings. New teachers, switching classes, and a new locker are just a few of the changes. Pearl's biggest problem, though, is the growing darkness that chases her and brings its mean voice in her head. The voice tells her that she's a loser and can't do anything right. It tells her she's a bad friend and a bad daughter and that things will never get better. Pearl tries to be the "Used to be Pearl" who was excited about loggerhead turtles and wanted to run track and be a marine biologist but everything is just overwhelming.

When her family and friends ask her about her changes, Pearl tries to pass it off as being sick or tired or just growing up and having new interests. Eventually one of her teachers reaches out to her parents and they decide to take Pearl to see Dr. Jill, who diagnoses Pearl with depression. At first Pearl is reticent to talk to Dr. Jill, but eventually she begins to open up and tries to do just one "Impossible Thing" each day. Slowly, Pearl finds her way back to herself and discovers that "the best way out is through."

As someone who struggles with depression, I found this novel-in-verse to be a moving and realistic portrayal of depression. A few of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Depression lies. Depression will tell you things about yourself that are not true."

"Gram says love is a verb. It's what you do rather than the words you say."

"It means if you want to get out
to the other side where things
are better, " I say,
"you have to take the steps to get there.
You can't stand still or
pretend depression is something else.
Like a phase.
Or a headache.
And you can't hide away."

"I know having a mental health problem
isn't anything to be ashamed of. And
I know there's more to who I am
than my depression."

This book brought me to tears and made me smile and left me feeling hopeful. It should be in every library, available to every child who struggles with depression or anxiety, or knows someone who struggles. It's a hopeful, but realistic portrayal perfect for middle grade audiences and I give it my highest recommendation! 5 enthusiastic stars


Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really appreciated the honest handling of mental illness in this book, but I had a hard time getting into it. The beginning didn't hook me like other novels in verse that I adore.

What a beautiful Middle Grade novel in verse (my favorite!) about the realities of depression. The depiction of mental illness is so authentic and raw that I knew immediately the author knew firsthand about this topic. This is a book I wish I’d had as a pre-teen, and not only will I be adding it to my 3-5 library collection, but I’ll also be sharing it with the school counselors in my life.

I also loved that this book took place near my hometown! The depictions of the friends and family in Pearl’s life felt, once again, so real to me. Not only does this book talk about Pearl’s struggle with depression during her 5th grade year, but it also tackles some of the common misconceptions that others have regarding mental illness. If someone in your life struggles with depression, this book is an excellent window into what they deal with on a daily basis. It shows what a support system should - and should not - look like, and it even tackles generational trauma, all while appealing and relating to a young audience.

I have, once again, been traumatized by a book for children. The book is honestly wonderful but the depiction is so accurate that it cut DEEP. Fortunately its a short read for adults, but children with depression might need support while reading this one. There is solid information at the end providing support recommendations and assurance for readers that they are not alone.

Pearl is entering fifth grade. Her usual hobbies and likes no longer bring her joy. She can't seem to do much of anything. Her family and friends rally around her.

This middle-grade novel in verse deals with depression with such tender care that it brought tears to my eyes. There are so many kids that need a book like this one that they can see themselves in, or to better understand what others are experiencing.

I think this should be in every school and public library and handed to as many kids as possible.

Thank you to Net Galley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Nancy Paulsen books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

"Octopus Moon" is such an important book for middle grade readers. They will see themselves in someone who is working to understand depression. This book hurt my heart as an educator for our youth- and hit my gut when I realized this in many aspects is who I was or still am. I thank Bobbie Pyron for opening her heart, making herself vulnerable, and addressing such an important topic for readers.

I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Pyron addresses depression in children head on in gentle manner. Pearl can't figure out what is wrong. Nothing brings her joy and she doesn't want to do anything she has before. She hears a voice telling her how awful she is and she can't break free from the exhaustion and fears. She masks this for several months until her parents and teacher connect. They set up therapy and Pearl slowly learns to trust her therapist and believe what she says. By the end of the story, she is well on her way to mastering coping skills and acceptance that depression is a lifelong illness.
Kudos to Pyron for bringing this to readers and offering acceptance and information. The underwater images and water connections will resonate with readers of all ages.

This wonderful middle grade novel-in-verse worked so well for me. Pearl is a fifth-grader who becomes depressed seemingly out of nowhere. She has a great life and great friends, yet suddenly she starts to struggle with things she used to enjoy, like school or her hobbies. She isolates herself from the people around her and struggles with negative self-talk. Throughout the book, we see Pearl try to tackle her depression, helped by the people around her.

I loved this book. The portrayal of Pearl's depression felt raw and real, to the point that it was hard to read sometimes (in a good way). The initial reactions of her friends and family were realistic too. The story offers middle graders a great look at and insight into depression and anxiety, and what we can do to deal with it. I very much appreciated that therapy was integrated into the story, and that it was positively and realistically portrayed. Nothing is solved easily: we see Pearl work hard for every inch of improvement. The crucial point, however, is that there is improvement, and ultimately the book's message does not sugarcoat a difficult issue, but it does offer hope in a realistic way.

There was a fairly large cast of secondary characters, and it is very much to the author's credit that they all felt real and multi-dimensional. Nobody is perfect, but everyone seems willing to learn and change as Pearl changes. Without being on-the-nose about it, the story does a great job showing the importance of a supportive network for people with mental illness.

Overall, this is an engaging, accessible look at depression and anxiety for middle graders (and other age groups too!) that doesn't stigmatize mental illness and that manages an ultimately positive tone with many heartwarming moments. I recommend it!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a beautiful depiction of a girl not only coming of age but also coming to terms with the idea of having depression. This book covers biases against depression as well as discusses whether or not it is an actual disease. I would highly recommend it to any young person who is struggling with this diagnosis, and I wish it had existed when I was young.