The Moth Keeper
by K O'Neill (Author)
Being a Moth Keeper is a huge responsibility and a great honor, but what happens when the new Moth Keeper decides to take a break from the moon and see the sun for the first time? From the author of the beloved Tea Dragon Society comes a must-read for fans of the rich fantasies of Hayao Miyazaki and the magical adventures of Witch Hat Atelier.
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.
K. O'Neill brings to life a beautifully illustrated fantasy with lush, gorgeous art and intricate world-building. A story about coming of age and community, The Moth Keeper is filled with magic, hope, and friendship.
"Expressing quiet resilience, this story lifts up nature's symbiotic relationships and the power of community." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review
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Gr 3-6--Luminous panels of sequential art star in the latest middle grade fantasy from O'Neill (Tea Dragon Society). Elfin-eared Anya has taken on the responsibility of Moth Keeper for the night village, shepherding the lunar moths on which her people rely to sustain the annual blooming of a flower necessary to their night-dwelling ways. But when Anya, growing weary from her strenuous duties and feeling a pull to experience life in the daylight, takes a trip to visit the sunlit day world, the story traces what befalls her people because of her stepping away from her responsibilities to the lunar moths, and how she makes amends. Among the supporting cast of multihued, nocturnal desert dwellers is Anya's supportive mentor and an ever-loyal sidekick, Estell, who appears to rely on a cane for mobility. While Anya's role is a lonely one, the story emphasizes how the villagers all have a responsibility to one another, reminding readers that "knowing when to ask for help is a form of wisdom." The artwork glows with both moth- and lantern-light against the dark blues of night, and the daylit desert bakes under oranges and yellows. VERDICT A gorgeous and dynamic visual experience with a familiar yet well-told plot.--Francisca Goldsmith
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
"A charming story that will delight O'Neill's fans and new readers alike, drawing them in like Moon-Moths to a lantern." —BookPage
JUV008070 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends & Mythology
Night
Graphic novels
Responsibility
Fantasy comics
