num_pages: 272
description: National Book Award winner Kacen Callender delivers a captivating novel about a child facing the other-worldly shadows of depression.Moon has been plunged into a swill of uncertainty and confusion. They travel to the spirit realms every night hoping never to return to the world of the living.But when the realm is threatened it's up to Moon to save the spirit world which sparks their own healing journey through the powerful baffling landscape that depression can cause.From this novels very first utterance author Kacen Callender puts us behind Moons eyes so that we too are engulfed by Moons troubling exploration through mental illness.Moons mom is trying her best but is clueless about what to do to reach the ugly roiling of her childs inner struggles. At the same time though there are those who see Moon for who they are  Blue the Keeper the Magician Wolf. These creature-guides help Moon find a way out of darkness. The ethereal aspects of the story are brilliantly blended with real-world glimmers of light. Slowly Moon grows toward hope and wholeness showing all children that each and every one of us has a tree growing inside. That our souls emerge when we discover and fully accept ourselves.Drawn from the authors own experience through depression as a young person this carefully orchestrated unique novel is deeply spiritual. Moonflower will challenge you to think beyond traditional storytelling  to reach. To weep. To discover. To cheer this feat of nuanced writing that speaks directly to the heart.
language: English
title: Moonflower
publisher: Scholastic Press