Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.
It has been a while since I have shared a middle grade book. Today we are sharing a newly released fantasy middle grade novel. It is the first book in a series. The book is The Traitor Moth by Katharine Orton. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
About the Book:
A brave young moth sets off on an epic quest to save his clan and the kingdom from peril in this first book in the sweeping Moon Realm fantasy middle grade series—perfect for fans of Wilderlore and Erin Hunter’s Warriors series.Catclaw dreams that one day he will have the gift of prophecy, just like his Dreamkin ancestors.
But many moons ago, the Dreamkins were exiled from the other noble moth clans for a crime too awful to even speak of, and their gift of prophecy was lost. No Dreamkin has seen the future in generations. So when Catclaw receives a vision telling him that all the moth clans are in terrible danger, he’s branded a liar and exiled.
Catclaw knows it’s the right thing to protect his fellow moths, even if his own clan doesn’t believe him, so he sets out alone on the long and treacherous journey back to Queen Adeia’s Kingdom to warn them.
But there is more to the moth clans’ history than Catclaw ever knew, and the closer he gets to the kingdom, the more the danger grows.
From Me:
In this fantasy tale we meet Catclaw, a young mothling of the unnamed and banned clan of moths. His clan once was the Dreamkins and they had the gift of seeing the future. However when one Dreamkin tried to turn all the clans against the queen, they lost their gifts and were banned. Catclaw loves the old stories that Master Saturna tells and hopes one day to get the gift back and reunite all the clans. When he has a vision most of his clan does not believe him and they banish him. He however wants to warn all the other moths, so he journeys to the queen's kingdom. He is young and brave and has many adventures and most of the moths do not believe his warning until it is too late. Will Catclaw be able to save the moths? Will he be able to reunite the clans?
This book has such an interesting premise. There was something they are calling the warmwind that mutated the creatures of the earth as well as the plants. There are different dangers for the moths as well as the original ones. Many of the bugs and animals have changed sizes. It is a look into what could happen if we do not care for our world. It is a great book for Earth Day discussions in a classroom.
It is also about a young and small hero. He goes off on his own to try to save those who have not really been kind to him. He was bullied and disliked. He was banished even from the banished moths because they didn't believe him. Yet, all he cares about is the others and trying to help them in any way he can. He faces dangers including the one that killed his parents. He is again faced with rejection and disbelievers, but he keeps going because it is so important to him. This is such an amazing message for kids to hear and think about. At a time in our society when bullying has become easier thanks to online and so many people are focused on themselves, this message of caring is what the world needs to hear. It also has a message of a small child being able to change the world. Such a great message as well.
The story itself is entertaining and interesting. It is well written and the main characters are well developed. Throughout the story Catclaw has memories of his times with Master Saturna which shares the lore Catclaw loves as well as some of the history and how this clan operates. It is a book that kids will be entertained with as well as perhaps fascinated. There is fighting and bullying as well as friendship and good. I think it is a wonderful read for independent reading but also has many aspects that could be great classroom discussions.
