I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety my entire life, but I didn’t know that’s what it was until I was about 28 and read another middle grade novel (Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand) that made me suddenly realize what I’d been experiencing my whole life. I wished when I read that book that I had been able to read it when I was much younger and wondered how my life might have looked different. This is another one of those books. It’s good for people who know they have depression, want to understand depression a little better, or maybe those who don’t know they have depression yet.

Depression is a complicated topic, and it has stigmas associated with it that aren’t true. That is all handled with the nuance and delicacy it deserves. There are characters who express misunderstandings about depression and how they think it’s not a real illness, and Pearl has to work through that to help them understand. She has people confused because she doesn’t have a good “reason” to be depressed. I also appreciate how she isn’t cured but it given helpful steps to help her deal with the depression, even though she’ll still have hard days. I’ll be trying out some of those ideas myself.

I tend not to like books in verse and struggle to connect with them, but this book is an exception to that. The format worked well for the mental state Pearl is in, and it reflects her interest in poetry. There were also parts that I had to highlight because of how deeply I connected to them from my own experiences with depression. There are many gems worth repeating when dealing with depression such as, “depression lies” and gems for life such as “love is a verb.” Others that perfectly expressed how I feel with depression included, “What is there to say that hasn’t already been said by those mean voices in my head?” and “Easy is getting harder every day.”

The cast of characters is interesting. Pearl and her friends are different individuals, but it makes sense why they’re friends. The adults in the book are complex while still fitting the way someone Pearl’s age would see them.

Overall, this is a good read, especially for people wanting to see a nuanced and helpful representation of depression.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Pearl is part of a loving family living in a small town on the gulf coast of Florida. But Pearl has been struggling with depression and she's having trouble living her normal life-hanging out with her friends, running with her dog, even being with her family is hard. Luckily, Pearl is able to find help. This is a wonderful depiction of depression-it gives a picture of how a person with depression feels without being scary or overblown. It also shows how different people react to someone with depression, which may be helpful to someone going through the same. things. I also loved Pearl's character. I was sorry the book was over!

Pearl is more than her depression. She is her love of turtles and everything ocean; she is a friend to Mia and Rosie, a daughter to some pretty awesome parents, a granddaughter, a runner, a dreamer. But her world has been becoming more and more narrow as a dark fog of anxiety sucks away her power to enjoy and participate in life.

Reading this poetic book written in free verse, we learn along with Pearl what depression is and how to live with it. We learn how to keep walking forward, one step and one moment at a time. We learn that there is hope.

Without being didactic, and with a firm understanding of what it's like to struggle with mental illness as a child, Bobbie Pyron has written a book that I am excited to add to our library and share with the children in my life.

In OCTOPUS MOON, ocean loving Pearl is starting fifth grade with a heaviness that she can’t shake. As this novel in verse unfolds, we see Pearl fall deeper into despair, withdrawing from friends, struggling with school, and unable to find joy in the things she used to love. Once those around her realize what is happening, Pearl begins the journey to return to herself.

The book provides a realistic portrayal of depression and the complexities of navigating it. The novel in verse format supports accessibility of the complex topic. Within Pearl’s story, the author addresses some common misconceptions about mental health, including the stigma around seeking help. Some of the effective coping strategies that can be used for managing depression are also depicted throughout the story. The cast of supporting characters, including a parent who questions depression being an illness, a grandparent with undiagnosed depression, close friends, and a supportive therapist, provides additional dimension to the story. A powerful and moving portrayal of depression, this book will be a support for middle grade readers facing similar feelings or who seek to understand loved ones with depression.

Here is a book for young people to experience what one 10 year-old girl finds as she learns that she has depression. Depression stays well hidden until her parents talk with her teacher and they send her do Dr. Jill for help. Slowing she starts to share so Dr. Jill can determine that she is in depression and can give her ways to help her. Very emotional reading but good for children to learn empathy.

I received an ARC from Penguin Young Readers Group via NetGalley. This realistic fiction middle grade book is written in prose. Pearl is 10 years old and entering 5th grade in Florida just off the Gulf coast. Pearl loves the aquarium where her mom works and relates to the loggerhead turtle with his hard shell and the octopus with all its sensors constantly in touch with the world. While Pearl has a supportive family and 2 best friends she is also learning she has depression, which is a constant battle. A well written and stimulating read for kids and adults that also has a focus on action for our beloved sea creatures.

Octopus Moon was an absolutely stunning story of a young girl who develops depression and has to learn to live with it. Pearl has always been a worrier, an anxious child, but when she starts 5th grade her anxiety begins to be debilitating and she no longer has the energy to do any of the things she used to. Her grades start to slip, she begins to lose friends, and that voice inside her head is just plain mean.

This book is going to be such a powerful read for students, not only those that are in the beginning stages of depression, but for all students that may know someone that is struggling. As Pearl begins therapy the reader also learns signs and tactics for how to deal with the down days. Her friends and family learn what it means and how to help her deal with it or give her space, depending on what she needs on that day. Honestly, this was just a beautiful and moving story.

This book is already on my 100% must buy list for next year's school budget and I have convinced a few teacher friends to buy it for their classrooms.

A thoughtful and reflective look at pre-teen depression. Good friendships, a mostly supportive family, and aware and proactive educators help a 5th grade girl identify and begin to deal with depression. Thoughtfully and appropriately handled, A good read for middle grade students.

This is a heart warming tale of a fifth grader dealing with depression.

🐙💜 I love the way this is written in verse. It resonated so much more than it would have if it was a in narrative form. 🐙💜

Pearl has always loved school, but the thought of starting fifth grade is really causing some huge emotions. She tries very hard to pretent that everything is fine, but after parent teacher conferences Pearl's parents find out the truth.

This topic is handled in such an honest and compassionate way. My heart actually broke at time, but by the end of the novel, my heart was pieces back together. I can not give this book enough praise.

I really enjoyed this sweet novel in verse about mental health and specifically depression. I really liked the way it focused on the way depression can run in families and how different generations can choose to handle it. I also loved the discussion of class and privilege and how that intersects with mental health. Through the lens of a rich character who readers will root for, I think this book is a great conversation starter for young kids.

Fifth grader Pearl loves running with her beagle, skateboarding with her friends, and hanging out at the aquarium and animal rescue center where her mom works. But as summer turns to fall, she finds it harder and harder to enjoy the things that she used to, and some days, even getting out of bed feels impossible. Worried, her parents take her to see a therapist, where Pearl is diagnosed with depression.

This book does a marvelous job showing how Pearl's depression isn't anyone's fault and that it doesn't have an easy "cure." She faces misunderstandings from kids and adults alike but finds solace in recognizing that even in nature, there aren't many easy answers and things aren't just what they appear. There are sections where the novel-in-verse format really works well and occasions where it feels like prose with peculiar line breaks. I don't mind. The one thing I do mind is the way the author occasionally uses "suffering" from depression, rather than one of the many other less pitying words available. This isn't a huge complaint, just something I've had to work through with my own mental illness. I'm also disappointed that octopuses aren't featured more prominently in this book despite the title, but I'm glad turtles get some good screen time. I would recommend this book to anyone in fourth of fifth grade who wants to understand why they don't enjoy things the way they used to. This is also a great book to help parents build empathy with their elementary or middle school kids who might be going through something that their parents don't understand.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Octopus Moon is written in a beautiful and approachable way. It will be an incredibly valuable read for students, teachers, and families alike! There's so many people who need and can benefit from a book like this. It's one I will reread in the future (and I don't do a lot of rereads.)

Written as continuous stanzas of poetry, Bobbie Pyron shows that writing does not have to be limited to prose alone. This is a reflective narrative written from the perspective of a young girl who spends time with family and close friends, and yearns to understand the world around her a bit more deeply. Highly recommended for young readers who enjoy poetry, nature, oceanography, and friendship.

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.