First published 2023
Moth lives with her aunt after losing her family in an accident. She feels isolated and disconnected from her roots until she encounters Sani, a boy struggling with depression who believes understanding his ancestry might help him heal. Sani searches for knowledge about his origins, hoping this discovery will explain his mental health struggles. Moth decides to join him on a journey to trace their family histories. Together they embark on a road trip that becomes a quest for both ghosts and ancestors. As Moth helps Sani find his grounding, she begins to uncover the history that lives within her own bones. Their travels force both teens to confront their pasts while discovering unexpected connections. The journey reveals how memories and ancestral roots can guide people through difficult times. Moth and Sani's relationship develops as they support each other's healing processes. Their individual paths forward prove both surprising and transformative, showing how identity and first love can emerge from shared searching.
Genres: literary-fiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, self-discovery
256 pages · Paperback · Square Fish
Content warnings: depression