Octopus Moon follows ten-year-old Pearl, a perceptive and sensitive girl navigating the challenges of fifth grade. Pearl loves running, skateboarding, and visiting the aquarium where her mother works, especially to watch the octopuses and loggerhead turtles. She feels a special connection to the octopus, whose arms are highly sensitive and experience the world intensely—much like she does. When everyday life begins to feel overwhelming, Pearl’s parents take her to therapy, where she is diagnosed with depression and begins learning strategies to manage her emotions.
One particularly meaningful element of the story is Pearl’s practice of setting small mental health goals and marking each attempt with a bead on a string. Each bead represents effort and gradual progress, reminding readers that trying is just as important as succeeding. This book offers an authentic and compassionate portrayal of childhood depression for readers ages 9–12, showing that healing often happens in small steps and that hope and connection can still grow during difficult times.
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