Saber-Tooth
Forthcoming January 2026
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
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.
Reviews
"The author explores the complexity of anger—honoring its validity without dismissing accountability for one’s actions—in a way that’s artful and immersive. Deeply cathartic; balances emotional depth with engrossing suspense."
"Complex ruminations on gender identity, loneliness, and neurodiversity accompany layered interpretations of grief and anger in this eloquent verse novel... Utilizing spare and stirring free verse, Gow (Gooseberry) artfully explores the sometimes turbulent emotions that come with growing up and growing apart, culminating in a heartening, deeply felt work."
"SABER-TOOTH is a gorgeous queer middle grade with a big bite that teaches young readers how to process their big complicated feelings within a fun, high stakes adventure about an autistic trans boy, a sentient sabertooth fossil, and a community of fellow misfits. A true gem for anyone who has ever felt angry and alone."— Taylor Tracy, Stonewall Honor-winning author of Murray Out of Water
"I could not put this book down— Saber-Tooth is a masterfully written, page-turning, lyrical explosion of a novel. Gow writes for those of us who are perpetually unearthing our loneliness and rage, looking for meaning, love, and connection. A thrilling, gorgeous, and adventure packed testament to the resilience, love, and power of Trans and queer youth. Dig dig dig, dear readers! What beautiful terrors and delights await us as we witness the world through Jasper’s eyes."— Mariama J. Lockington, Stonewall Honor and Schneider Family Book Award winning author of In the Key of Us, Forever is Now, and For Black Girls Like Me.