From Robin Gow, the award-winning author of Dear Mothman, comes a gripping middle-grade novel in verse about a boy who digs up and loses control...

From Robin Gow, the award-winning author of Dear Mothman, comes a gripping middle-grade novel in verse about a boy who digs up and loses control of a saber-toothed tiger.

***STARRED REVIEW*** "Deeply cathartic; balances emotional depth with engrossing suspense." ―Kirkus Reviews

***STARRED REVIEW*** "A heartening, deeply felt work." ―Publishers Weekly

***STARRED REVIEW*** "Using a fascinating mixture of metaphor and reality, this verse novel explores the explosive nature of anger and the pain it can cause when left untended." ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Jasper's favorite person is his older brother, Callan. They go on fossil-finding missions and stay up late while their parents work nights. Callan even helped Jasper pick out his new name when he came out as trans.

But Callan starts to grow distant and leaves for college without taking Jasper on a promised fossil dig. Jasper feels abandoned--and angry. Who needs Callan? He will dig by himself, in his backyard. As he digs, he hears a voice: the bones of a saber-toothed tiger. He's buried deep, and he wants Jasper to DIG.

Jasper is sure a discovery like this could change the world, or at least get Callan to text him back. But as the saber-toothed tiger finds freedom, Jasper realizes he may have unleashed a monster that no one was ready for, and that anger can empower you--or destroy you.

Also by Robin Gow

• Dear Mothman
• Gooseberry

Author: Robin Gow
Publisher: Amulet Books
Published: 01/27/2026
Pages: 328
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.50w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9781419777387
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2026 pg. 60
School Library Journal 02/13/2026 pg. 1
Publishers Weekly 10/06/2025
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2025
Booklist 11/01/2025
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2025

About the Author
Robin Gow (it/fae/he) is a poet, educator, and witch from rural Pennsylvania. It is a community educator on disability justice and LGBTQIA2S+ issues and author of critically acclaimed books for children and young adults including Dear Mothman, Ode to My First Car, and A Million Quiet Revolutions. Fae lives with faer partner and their many lovely pets. Fae enjoys wandering in the woods and any kind of arts and crafts.