The award-winning author of Hurricane Child and King and the Dragonflies brings another unflinching story of identity and hope to young readers.

Every night, twelve-year-old Moon leaves for the spirit realm where they meet with Wolf, their one and only friend, and attempt to escape into the stars forever. Moon doesn’t want to be in the world of the living. Their mom forces them to go to therapy, but they don’t speak anymore, not when there aren’t any words that describe their pain; and at school, in their small class, Moon is afraid they’ll be bullied again, like they were the year before.

When the Keeper of the spirit realm promises to help Moon stay in the stars forever in exchange for bringing her a handful of starlight, Moon inadvertently helps the Keeper attack the spirit world, putting Wolf and the other spirit beings into a deep sleep. With the help of new friends, Moon must begin their own healing journey to save the spirit realm, meeting with ancestors and guardians who teach Moon that they are not alone, that they are loved, and help Moon discover their own answer to their question: what is the meaning of life?

Lambda Literary, Stonewall, and National Book Award winner Kacen Callender delivers another heartfelt story about what it means to be true to yourself. In sweeping, lyrical prose, they uncover the truths of growing up that have made them an award-winning author.