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Saber-Tooth: A Novel in Verse
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 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.
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 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.
Audible Audio
First published January 27, 2026
6 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Robin Gow
19 books222 followersGow grew up in rural Pennsylvania and lives in Allentown Pennsylvania with their two pugs, Eddie and Gertie and their queer family. He works at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center coordinating supportive services for the local LGBTQIA+ community.
Awarded the Jerry Cain and Scott James Creative Writing Fellow, Gow earned their MFA in Creative Writing from Adelphi University where they also taught writing courses as an adjunct professor.
Gow runs the trans & queer reading series Gender Reveal Party and co-edits the new magazine The Comments Section.
Robin is the author of the chapbook Honeysuckle by Finishing Line Press and the collection Our Lady of Perpetual Degeneracy by Tolsun Books.
Their first YA novel in verse, A Million Quiet Revolutions, is forthcoming March 2022 with FSG Books for Young readers and their first essay collection, Blue Blood, is forthcoming with Nasiona Publishing House.
They is a managing editor The Nasiona and the assistant editor at large at Doubleback Books. They served for four years as the production editor of the Lantern literary magazine and are Social Media Coordinator for Oyster River Pages. They has also worked to help produce several zines and taught creative writing workshops in a variety of community spaces, including online forms.
They are an out and proud autistic bisexual genderqueer man passionate about LGBTQIAA+ issues.
Awarded the Jerry Cain and Scott James Creative Writing Fellow, Gow earned their MFA in Creative Writing from Adelphi University where they also taught writing courses as an adjunct professor.
Gow runs the trans & queer reading series Gender Reveal Party and co-edits the new magazine The Comments Section.
Robin is the author of the chapbook Honeysuckle by Finishing Line Press and the collection Our Lady of Perpetual Degeneracy by Tolsun Books.
Their first YA novel in verse, A Million Quiet Revolutions, is forthcoming March 2022 with FSG Books for Young readers and their first essay collection, Blue Blood, is forthcoming with Nasiona Publishing House.
They is a managing editor The Nasiona and the assistant editor at large at Doubleback Books. They served for four years as the production editor of the Lantern literary magazine and are Social Media Coordinator for Oyster River Pages. They has also worked to help produce several zines and taught creative writing workshops in a variety of community spaces, including online forms.
They are an out and proud autistic bisexual genderqueer man passionate about LGBTQIAA+ issues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 18, 2026
This was my first novel in verse. I thought it was an interesting way to tell a story. It felt like the days were more connected than in a novel. This middle-grade story explored: being trans, being autistic, recognizing the friends that were there all along, processing the change of an older sibling going to college, and navigating school. If I had read this when I was the target age for this book, then it would have been more impactful. However, I still learned some valuable lessons from this book. I was incredibly frustrated with the adults in this book not doing more to understand what Jasper was going through. I know many kids can relate to those feelings. I understand that Jasper's parents work demanding jobs at night. I would recommend this book! It's always good to diversify your reads.
The audiobook was enjoyable. I know I would have had difficulty reading a book like this. I truly appreciate JJ Hawkins narrating this book. They did an excellent job of bringing this book to life. I would highly recommend!
Rep: Trans, Nonbinary, Autism, Vietnamese side character, Mixed-Race side character
Thank you to NetGalley, Robin Gow, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
The audiobook was enjoyable. I know I would have had difficulty reading a book like this. I truly appreciate JJ Hawkins narrating this book. They did an excellent job of bringing this book to life. I would highly recommend!
Rep: Trans, Nonbinary, Autism, Vietnamese side character, Mixed-Race side character
Thank you to NetGalley, Robin Gow, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2025
‘Saber-Tooth’ follows Jasper, an autistic trans kid, after his brother and best friend, Callan, moves away for college. Jasper, being somewhat neglected by his parents and never being taken on the promised fossil dig with Callan before he moved away, festers in his anger at being abandoned. He starts his own dig in the backyard, but something in the backyard also really wants Jasper to dig.
Jasper was a particularly likeable character for me (as a younger sibling being kinda left behind by my older siblings). I loved seeing his growth in realising there was other people that wanted to be there for him that at the beginning he hadn’t even really considered as being his friend. Seeing him work through his emotions and build his own found family was delightful.
The poem ‘Time to Wait’ in particular stood out to me, it really felt like to culmination of everything Jasper has been feeling before starting to work through his anger.
I haven’t read too many verse novels but Robin Gow continues to blow me away with its works. I’ve only read this and ‘Dear Mothman’ but I’m eager to get my hands on some of faes other works. Gow plays around a lot with formatting in this book which didn’t fully come across while reading on my phone but I’m excited to see the full effectiveness of it in the finished copy.
Thank you ABRAMS and NetGalley for the ARC.
Jasper was a particularly likeable character for me (as a younger sibling being kinda left behind by my older siblings). I loved seeing his growth in realising there was other people that wanted to be there for him that at the beginning he hadn’t even really considered as being his friend. Seeing him work through his emotions and build his own found family was delightful.
The poem ‘Time to Wait’ in particular stood out to me, it really felt like to culmination of everything Jasper has been feeling before starting to work through his anger.
I haven’t read too many verse novels but Robin Gow continues to blow me away with its works. I’ve only read this and ‘Dear Mothman’ but I’m eager to get my hands on some of faes other works. Gow plays around a lot with formatting in this book which didn’t fully come across while reading on my phone but I’m excited to see the full effectiveness of it in the finished copy.
Thank you ABRAMS and NetGalley for the ARC.
February 20, 2026
Pretty good! Great MC. Loved the layers and the inner thoughts of what they’re going through. I liked the set up of the plot as well with the talking tiger.
You lost me a bit when the tiger became real and started burning down the town? I feel like it would’ve been better if the tiger never was real and it was a symbol for something internally? And it probably still was, but involving the whole town in the tigers plot line was a bit odd for me.
You lost me a bit when the tiger became real and started burning down the town? I feel like it would’ve been better if the tiger never was real and it was a symbol for something internally? And it probably still was, but involving the whole town in the tigers plot line was a bit odd for me.
November 15, 2025
ummmm........
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a heart felt read! I adored Mothman, also by Robin Gow, and so I requested this without reading the blurb. (At least, it had been a while since I had so I had forgotten it.) I kind of wish the blurb didn't spoil the midpoint, because I spent the first 40% of the book with a nervous growing dread in my gut as I tried to decide just how bad things were going to go once Jasper reached the bones.
Regardless of that, this was a very unique book! I loved the cast of characters. I loved Jasper and felt so strongly for him in his fear of whether or not his friends were really friends. I'm a sucker for a good sibling relationship too, and I empathized deeply with the whirl of emotions Jasper was wrestling with in the absence of his brother who left for college.
I also loved how Jasper's trans-ness was just a fact in the story, and not any point of conflict or contention. We have a lot of coming of age stories for queer youth, but I don't know that I've yet read a middle grade novel with a trans character where the MC is just casually trans and it's not a bit deal. There were several points where Jasper is upset about everything going on, and clarifies that the distress is not due to being trans, and I just really loved that Gow spelled out that distinction. There was also reference to old friends of Jasper's pre-coming out that he no longer talks to because they didn't take his coming out well, and I loved how this detail helped to ground the story in unfortunate reality yet didn't linger in that betrayal. It really just overall created the effect of a hopeful trans narrative where yes, some people will not accept you, and some of those people may even have been your friends once, but you'll find new friends and you will be okay. I LOVE it and we need more books like this.
I did find some of the events a bit difficult to suspend my disbelief for. Specifically the one adult involved in the ending. While it's a pretty small complaint in hindsight, it did take me out of the novel there at the end, keeping it from a true five-star read.
I also want to note that I received an ALC of this, and the narrator did excellent. I have rarely listened to a verse novel and really known it was a verse novel. The life and character JJ Hawkins infused into the narrative was excellently done. I'd still like to get my hands on a physical copy for a reread at some point to see the visual effects of the poetry, but this narration truly was a performance.
This is an excellent book for kids to read as I can see it leading to sooo many rich and nuanced discussions about how we (humanity) has harmed the earth and each other, how to be good stewards of this land, how to navigate anger and guilt and emotions in general, and more.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the review ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Regardless of that, this was a very unique book! I loved the cast of characters. I loved Jasper and felt so strongly for him in his fear of whether or not his friends were really friends. I'm a sucker for a good sibling relationship too, and I empathized deeply with the whirl of emotions Jasper was wrestling with in the absence of his brother who left for college.
I also loved how Jasper's trans-ness was just a fact in the story, and not any point of conflict or contention. We have a lot of coming of age stories for queer youth, but I don't know that I've yet read a middle grade novel with a trans character where the MC is just casually trans and it's not a bit deal. There were several points where Jasper is upset about everything going on, and clarifies that the distress is not due to being trans, and I just really loved that Gow spelled out that distinction. There was also reference to old friends of Jasper's pre-coming out that he no longer talks to because they didn't take his coming out well, and I loved how this detail helped to ground the story in unfortunate reality yet didn't linger in that betrayal. It really just overall created the effect of a hopeful trans narrative where yes, some people will not accept you, and some of those people may even have been your friends once, but you'll find new friends and you will be okay. I LOVE it and we need more books like this.
I did find some of the events a bit difficult to suspend my disbelief for. Specifically the one adult involved in the ending. While it's a pretty small complaint in hindsight, it did take me out of the novel there at the end, keeping it from a true five-star read.
I also want to note that I received an ALC of this, and the narrator did excellent. I have rarely listened to a verse novel and really known it was a verse novel. The life and character JJ Hawkins infused into the narrative was excellently done. I'd still like to get my hands on a physical copy for a reread at some point to see the visual effects of the poetry, but this narration truly was a performance.
This is an excellent book for kids to read as I can see it leading to sooo many rich and nuanced discussions about how we (humanity) has harmed the earth and each other, how to be good stewards of this land, how to navigate anger and guilt and emotions in general, and more.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the review ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
From a perspective of personal enjoyment, this was closer to a 3 for me. I found that the last third of this book made little internal sense. Why fire? Sure, there's a band-aid explanation, but it seems like an afterthought and doesn't really fit in with some aspects of the story. I wish that there had been a stronger link because the events at the end and Jasper's thoughts/mood throughout the novel. It felt halfway there but ultimately got messy and fell apart, IMO.
All that said, I know SO MANY kids (and adults!!!) who are taught that anger is shameful and bad and that we can never ever talk about it because to even acknowledge its role in our lives would be dangerous, somehow. I appreciated that this book addressed anger head-on, and that in the end, the physical manifestation of Jasper's anger doesn't get buried. It remains out in the open. People come to look at it. It likes on.
I still have a lot of frustrations about how much further Gow could have developed and pushed the analogy, but I suspect that most readers of the target age aren't going to be complaining about cohesive metaphor, whereas they are likely to pick up what Gow's putting down about our relationship to anger and our fear of change.
As far as the in-verse element, I don't think Gow generally uses verse to evoke poetic imagery so much as to put us in the narrator's stream-of-consciousness. That's as true here as in any previous books, and for kids who struggle with reading prose (either for ADHD or reading comprehension reasons, or what have you), this format can invite them in and leave room to think or imagine to fill in the blanks.
I found the first 2/3rds of this to be intense and stressful because I didn't know what was real, and it was kind of exciting to find out that, yes, some wild stuff really is happening and it's not just an intense Calvin & Hobbes meets faltering mental health situation.
Rep-wise, Jasper's trans, but the book doesn't center on this theme. His autistic tendencies, anger, and discomfort with change are the primary focus of the novel. I think a lot of kids will find the portrayal of those elements relatable regardless of any personal diagnosis they may or may not have.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
All that said, I know SO MANY kids (and adults!!!) who are taught that anger is shameful and bad and that we can never ever talk about it because to even acknowledge its role in our lives would be dangerous, somehow. I appreciated that this book addressed anger head-on, and that in the end, the physical manifestation of Jasper's anger doesn't get buried. It remains out in the open. People come to look at it. It likes on.
I still have a lot of frustrations about how much further Gow could have developed and pushed the analogy, but I suspect that most readers of the target age aren't going to be complaining about cohesive metaphor, whereas they are likely to pick up what Gow's putting down about our relationship to anger and our fear of change.
As far as the in-verse element, I don't think Gow generally uses verse to evoke poetic imagery so much as to put us in the narrator's stream-of-consciousness. That's as true here as in any previous books, and for kids who struggle with reading prose (either for ADHD or reading comprehension reasons, or what have you), this format can invite them in and leave room to think or imagine to fill in the blanks.
I found the first 2/3rds of this to be intense and stressful because I didn't know what was real, and it was kind of exciting to find out that, yes, some wild stuff really is happening and it's not just an intense Calvin & Hobbes meets faltering mental health situation.
Rep-wise, Jasper's trans, but the book doesn't center on this theme. His autistic tendencies, anger, and discomfort with change are the primary focus of the novel. I think a lot of kids will find the portrayal of those elements relatable regardless of any personal diagnosis they may or may not have.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
February 12, 2026
Jasper is an 8th grade transgender boy who feels lost and abandoned after his older brother and best friend Callan goes off to college. Jasper is also autistic and is obsessed with rocks and fossils. He chose the name Jasper for himself because it is a combination of quartz and other sediments, which suits him because “I have big emotions / and they don’t always mix / quite right.”
Before he left for college Callan promised they would dig for fossils together, but he broke his promise. Then Jasper destroys Callan’s laptop in anger, further fracturing their relationship. Soon after Callan leaves, Jasper starts hearing a voice in his head who identifies as a saber-tooth tiger that is buried in his backyard and asks to be uncovered. The tiger offers friendship and understanding at a time when Jasper is vulnerable and hurting. Three friends, including one new transgender friend named Yarrow, help dig late at night, but Jasper does most of the work, which leaves him exhausted and unable to do his school work. When the tiger emerges, late one night, things do not go as Jasper expected. The saber-tooth tiger is angered to find the world is not as it was when he was alive and he runs off. The next day there are reports of a monster destroying the town and hunting livestock. Jasper and his friends know they must find a way to catch the monster they have unleashed on their community, but they are unsure how to do so.
Gow has written a powerful verse book that uses the format expertly with gorgeous phrasing and deliberate spacing. At its core, this is a book about anger and what happens when we keep it inside and buried. The writing is introspective and compelling and the plot picks up bit by bit until by the end it is very intense. Magical realism and books with metaphors like this one are not for all readers, but some students are sure to love this beautifully written verse book. Characters cue as white except for one friend who is of Vietnamese descent. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Before he left for college Callan promised they would dig for fossils together, but he broke his promise. Then Jasper destroys Callan’s laptop in anger, further fracturing their relationship. Soon after Callan leaves, Jasper starts hearing a voice in his head who identifies as a saber-tooth tiger that is buried in his backyard and asks to be uncovered. The tiger offers friendship and understanding at a time when Jasper is vulnerable and hurting. Three friends, including one new transgender friend named Yarrow, help dig late at night, but Jasper does most of the work, which leaves him exhausted and unable to do his school work. When the tiger emerges, late one night, things do not go as Jasper expected. The saber-tooth tiger is angered to find the world is not as it was when he was alive and he runs off. The next day there are reports of a monster destroying the town and hunting livestock. Jasper and his friends know they must find a way to catch the monster they have unleashed on their community, but they are unsure how to do so.
Gow has written a powerful verse book that uses the format expertly with gorgeous phrasing and deliberate spacing. At its core, this is a book about anger and what happens when we keep it inside and buried. The writing is introspective and compelling and the plot picks up bit by bit until by the end it is very intense. Magical realism and books with metaphors like this one are not for all readers, but some students are sure to love this beautifully written verse book. Characters cue as white except for one friend who is of Vietnamese descent. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
March 3, 2026
2.5/5
I was so excited when I saw that Robin Gow was releasing another book in verse. I was a big fan of Dear Mothman, and I thought the premise of Saber-Tooth sounded interesting. There was a lot in this book that I liked, but ultimately this one didn't quite work for me.
What I liked:
- The protagonist: Jasper was such a dynamic and compelling character, and I was invested in his story.
- The supporting characters: My favorite part of this novel was watching Jasper's new friendships develop. I thought that all three of these characters added tremendous depth to the story, and I honestly would have loved to see more of them.
What didn't work for me:
- The unclear themes/symbols/etc.: From a teacher standpoint, I always read middle grade books with an eye for how I can teach this text. I was interested in the saber-tooth tiger for its symbolic potential, but by the end of the book I honestly didn't feel confident that I understood what Gow was trying to do with that character. There's also a lot of potential to discuss found family as a theme in this book, and I wish the author had done a little bit more with the supporting characters.
- The last third of the book goes completely off the rails. I thought I was reading one story, but when the [SPOILER] saber-tooth tiger physically emerges from the ground and starts wreaking havoc on the town, I was genuinely shocked (and confused) by the turn of events.
- The narrator: JJ Hawkins has a fantastic voice for audiobooks, but his narration of this story seemed *way* too young for Jasper. His voice was too young and whiny, and seemed much more appropriate for a 3rd of 4th grader rather than a student about to enter high school. I actually suspect I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read a physical copy rather than listened to the audiobook.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my advanced copy.
I was so excited when I saw that Robin Gow was releasing another book in verse. I was a big fan of Dear Mothman, and I thought the premise of Saber-Tooth sounded interesting. There was a lot in this book that I liked, but ultimately this one didn't quite work for me.
What I liked:
- The protagonist: Jasper was such a dynamic and compelling character, and I was invested in his story.
- The supporting characters: My favorite part of this novel was watching Jasper's new friendships develop. I thought that all three of these characters added tremendous depth to the story, and I honestly would have loved to see more of them.
What didn't work for me:
- The unclear themes/symbols/etc.: From a teacher standpoint, I always read middle grade books with an eye for how I can teach this text. I was interested in the saber-tooth tiger for its symbolic potential, but by the end of the book I honestly didn't feel confident that I understood what Gow was trying to do with that character. There's also a lot of potential to discuss found family as a theme in this book, and I wish the author had done a little bit more with the supporting characters.
- The last third of the book goes completely off the rails. I thought I was reading one story, but when the [SPOILER] saber-tooth tiger physically emerges from the ground and starts wreaking havoc on the town, I was genuinely shocked (and confused) by the turn of events.
- The narrator: JJ Hawkins has a fantastic voice for audiobooks, but his narration of this story seemed *way* too young for Jasper. His voice was too young and whiny, and seemed much more appropriate for a 3rd of 4th grader rather than a student about to enter high school. I actually suspect I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read a physical copy rather than listened to the audiobook.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my advanced copy.
November 8, 2025
4 stars
Robin Gow comes through with the most inventive approaches to serious issues and consistently manages to appropriately message to middle grade and young adult audiences in a way that is palatable, engaging, and informative without ever feeling didactic. This most recent effort is another excellent example of Gow's magic and specific approach.
Jasper is going through a tough time. When his older brother invites him to a fun outing, Jasper is immediately offended because he figures out quickly that the outing wasn't really about spending time together or enjoying delicious donuts; it was just an opportunity for Callan to break his heart. Now it's easy to want to get on Jasper's side instantly, but the challenge is that Callan is an awesome brother, and Callan's great offense is only harmful in Jasper's mind. After all, Callan deserves to go off to college and build his own life. Jasper's response to this news is very, very bad, and compounded with a number of other challenges, that buried anger becomes dangerous. In this case, it becomes exactly what the cover of this book suggests: a somehow sentient saber-toothed tiger fossil. I know, I know. I was also skeptical, but only for a sec because I've read a lot of Gow, so I also knew to have faith.
Gow does verse well, and verse WORKS well for the motifs here. The pressure builds, the dig takes time, and the erruptions? Well, they're memorable. The structural choices reinforce the messaging clearly and add to the experience.
Though there is a lot of darkness to investigate, there is a clear core of hope, and that makes this read even more powerful. This is another winner from Gow, and I'm already looking forward to the next.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Robin Gow comes through with the most inventive approaches to serious issues and consistently manages to appropriately message to middle grade and young adult audiences in a way that is palatable, engaging, and informative without ever feeling didactic. This most recent effort is another excellent example of Gow's magic and specific approach.
Jasper is going through a tough time. When his older brother invites him to a fun outing, Jasper is immediately offended because he figures out quickly that the outing wasn't really about spending time together or enjoying delicious donuts; it was just an opportunity for Callan to break his heart. Now it's easy to want to get on Jasper's side instantly, but the challenge is that Callan is an awesome brother, and Callan's great offense is only harmful in Jasper's mind. After all, Callan deserves to go off to college and build his own life. Jasper's response to this news is very, very bad, and compounded with a number of other challenges, that buried anger becomes dangerous. In this case, it becomes exactly what the cover of this book suggests: a somehow sentient saber-toothed tiger fossil. I know, I know. I was also skeptical, but only for a sec because I've read a lot of Gow, so I also knew to have faith.
Gow does verse well, and verse WORKS well for the motifs here. The pressure builds, the dig takes time, and the erruptions? Well, they're memorable. The structural choices reinforce the messaging clearly and add to the experience.
Though there is a lot of darkness to investigate, there is a clear core of hope, and that makes this read even more powerful. This is another winner from Gow, and I'm already looking forward to the next.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
December 10, 2025
Thank you ABRAMS Kids and Net Galley for a chance to read an early copy of this book.
As I was reading Saber-Tooth by Robin Gow, one thought continued to pop into my head over and over again: this is such an important book to get into the hands of kids.
Saber-Tooth offers an inside look into the thought world of Jasper, a transgender, autistic 8th grader who’s struggling with some big changes in his life. The most frustrating one is that his older brother, Callen, whom Jasper depends on to navigate the world around him, left to go to college. With Callan gone, Jasper is lonely, afraid, and angry that he has been abandoned by the person he trusted the most.
One day, Jasper finds himself conversing with the skeleton of a Saber-toothed tiger who says he is buried in the back yard. He just needs Jasper to dig him up and they can be companions forever. At first, Jasper feels as though the tiger is the only one who truly understands him. He is determined to dig up the bones to find a true friend. But, things aren’t entirely as they seem, and to keep those he loves the most safe, Jasper will have to face his biggest fears and deepest anger.
I was honestly skeptical when I started reading this book and couldn’t remember why I requested an ARC. However, it didn’t take long for me to see how important this story truly is. Jasper’s internal thoughts are raw, and I imagine, quite relatable for many kids. I wouldn’t recommend this book for particularly sensitive kids, but for children struggling with navigating being different, feeling alone, anger, loss, or difficult changes, Saber-Tooth could be the balm their weary souls need.
I don’t think every child will connect with this story, but for those who do, it will be a book they won’t soon forget.
Autistic and transgender representation
Themes: Friendship, anger, loss, and navigating changes
Novel in Verse
As I was reading Saber-Tooth by Robin Gow, one thought continued to pop into my head over and over again: this is such an important book to get into the hands of kids.
Saber-Tooth offers an inside look into the thought world of Jasper, a transgender, autistic 8th grader who’s struggling with some big changes in his life. The most frustrating one is that his older brother, Callen, whom Jasper depends on to navigate the world around him, left to go to college. With Callan gone, Jasper is lonely, afraid, and angry that he has been abandoned by the person he trusted the most.
One day, Jasper finds himself conversing with the skeleton of a Saber-toothed tiger who says he is buried in the back yard. He just needs Jasper to dig him up and they can be companions forever. At first, Jasper feels as though the tiger is the only one who truly understands him. He is determined to dig up the bones to find a true friend. But, things aren’t entirely as they seem, and to keep those he loves the most safe, Jasper will have to face his biggest fears and deepest anger.
I was honestly skeptical when I started reading this book and couldn’t remember why I requested an ARC. However, it didn’t take long for me to see how important this story truly is. Jasper’s internal thoughts are raw, and I imagine, quite relatable for many kids. I wouldn’t recommend this book for particularly sensitive kids, but for children struggling with navigating being different, feeling alone, anger, loss, or difficult changes, Saber-Tooth could be the balm their weary souls need.
I don’t think every child will connect with this story, but for those who do, it will be a book they won’t soon forget.
Autistic and transgender representation
Themes: Friendship, anger, loss, and navigating changes
Novel in Verse
February 6, 2026
Jasper is an 8th grade transgender boy who feels lost and abandoned after his older brother and best friend Callan goes off to college. Jasper is also autistic and is obsessed with rocks and fossils. He chose the name Jasper for himself because it is a combination of quartz and other sediments, which suits him because “I have big emotions / and they don’t always mix / quite right.”
Before he left for college Callan promised they would dig for fossils together, but he broke his promise. Then Jasper destroys Callan’s laptop in anger, further fracturing their relationship. Soon after Callan leaves, Jasper starts hearing a voice in his head who identifies as a saber-tooth tiger who is buried in his backyard and asks to be uncovered. The tiger offers friendship and understanding at a time when Jasper is vulnerable and hurting. Three friends, including one new transgender friend named Yarrow, help dig late at night, but Jasper does most of the work, which leaves him exhausted and unable to do his school work. When the tiger emerges, late one night, things do not go as Jasper expected. The saber-tooth tiger is angered to find the world is not as it was when he was alive and he runs off. The next day there are reports of a monster destroying the town and hunting livestock. Jasper and his friends know they must find a way to catch the monster they have unleashed on their community, but they are unsure how to do so.
At its core, this is a book about anger and what happens when we keep it inside and buried. The writing is introspective and compelling and the plot picks up bit by bit until by the end it is very intense. Magical realism and books with metaphors like this one are not for all readers, but some students are sure to love this beautifully written book. Characters cue as white except for one friend who is of Vietnamese descent.
Before he left for college Callan promised they would dig for fossils together, but he broke his promise. Then Jasper destroys Callan’s laptop in anger, further fracturing their relationship. Soon after Callan leaves, Jasper starts hearing a voice in his head who identifies as a saber-tooth tiger who is buried in his backyard and asks to be uncovered. The tiger offers friendship and understanding at a time when Jasper is vulnerable and hurting. Three friends, including one new transgender friend named Yarrow, help dig late at night, but Jasper does most of the work, which leaves him exhausted and unable to do his school work. When the tiger emerges, late one night, things do not go as Jasper expected. The saber-tooth tiger is angered to find the world is not as it was when he was alive and he runs off. The next day there are reports of a monster destroying the town and hunting livestock. Jasper and his friends know they must find a way to catch the monster they have unleashed on their community, but they are unsure how to do so.
At its core, this is a book about anger and what happens when we keep it inside and buried. The writing is introspective and compelling and the plot picks up bit by bit until by the end it is very intense. Magical realism and books with metaphors like this one are not for all readers, but some students are sure to love this beautifully written book. Characters cue as white except for one friend who is of Vietnamese descent.
January 26, 2026
Sabre-Tooth is a middle grade novel told in verse about a 8th grade boy, Jasper, who’s autistic and trans, and him digging up a sabre-tooth fossil, while dealing with a lot of change. There is a fantasy element to the book as well with the fossil talking to Jasper as well as some later plot elements I won’t spoil.
Sabre-Tooth deals with themes of changes, family, friendship, anger and big emotions. Throughout this you see how Jasper being autistic, and to a lesser extent trans, also affects how Jasper deals with these challenges and emotions. I have never read a novel in verse before but I found it to be a great way to feel Jasper’s emotions and his struggles with his big feelings. I really liked it as a way to connect with him.
I think this is the perfect books for kids (and parents) who fit these demographics or are just dealing with big changes and emotions. The author did a great job of showing how emotions, especially anger, can be all consuming and difficult to process, especially at young ages. The book also did a great job at showing how change can be difficult, especially with children with autism.
There were some plot inconsistencies but to be honest I don’t think they’d be noticed by the intended age group for this book.
The narrator, JJ Hawkins, did an amazing job with the narration in this book! He was very engaging to listen to and did a great job with the pacing and tone, especially for being a novel in verse. There were some different voices for the characters which were different enough to tell the difference between characters but didn’t take you out of the story.
Overall a great middle grade novel to listen to!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sabre-Tooth deals with themes of changes, family, friendship, anger and big emotions. Throughout this you see how Jasper being autistic, and to a lesser extent trans, also affects how Jasper deals with these challenges and emotions. I have never read a novel in verse before but I found it to be a great way to feel Jasper’s emotions and his struggles with his big feelings. I really liked it as a way to connect with him.
I think this is the perfect books for kids (and parents) who fit these demographics or are just dealing with big changes and emotions. The author did a great job of showing how emotions, especially anger, can be all consuming and difficult to process, especially at young ages. The book also did a great job at showing how change can be difficult, especially with children with autism.
There were some plot inconsistencies but to be honest I don’t think they’d be noticed by the intended age group for this book.
The narrator, JJ Hawkins, did an amazing job with the narration in this book! He was very engaging to listen to and did a great job with the pacing and tone, especially for being a novel in verse. There were some different voices for the characters which were different enough to tell the difference between characters but didn’t take you out of the story.
Overall a great middle grade novel to listen to!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2025
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.
This was a really unique little read. I liked the use of the format to emphasise certain parts of the prose and show the intensity of emotion that Jasper is feeling. It was really well done and added a lot to both the narrative and characterisation.
Jasper was such a sweetheart. His character was so close to my own experience as a young person that I instantly liked him. I felt sorry for him that he'd been left behind by his brother. Although at the end of the book, we saw how many people came to help him. It was such a sweet and wholesome moment considering at the beginning of the novel, Jasper wasn't even sure if he had any friends.
Yarrow and their mum were really great characters. I loved the aspect of both Yarrow and Jasper struggling to find where they fit in and gravitating towards each other. I really liked Parker as well. Together, the three of them had a great dynamic.
Maybe as an adult I'm missing something, but it seemed like the Saber-tooth was responsible for setting the fires across the town, but it's a fossil. So maybe I cannot suspend my disbelief like a young person would be able to.
Overall, a really cool read.
This was a really unique little read. I liked the use of the format to emphasise certain parts of the prose and show the intensity of emotion that Jasper is feeling. It was really well done and added a lot to both the narrative and characterisation.
Jasper was such a sweetheart. His character was so close to my own experience as a young person that I instantly liked him. I felt sorry for him that he'd been left behind by his brother. Although at the end of the book, we saw how many people came to help him. It was such a sweet and wholesome moment considering at the beginning of the novel, Jasper wasn't even sure if he had any friends.
Yarrow and their mum were really great characters. I loved the aspect of both Yarrow and Jasper struggling to find where they fit in and gravitating towards each other. I really liked Parker as well. Together, the three of them had a great dynamic.
Maybe as an adult I'm missing something, but it seemed like the Saber-tooth was responsible for setting the fires across the town, but it's a fossil. So maybe I cannot suspend my disbelief like a young person would be able to.
Overall, a really cool read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2025
Saber-Tooth: A Novel in Verse by Robin Gow is a compelling middle-grade novel that tells the story of Jasper, a trans boy who feels abandoned by his older brother, Callan. In his backyard, Jasper unearths a saber-toothed tiger's bones, which begin to communicate with him, urging him to dig. As Jasper embarks on a journey of self-discovery and connection, he learns to process complex emotions and confront the loneliness that comes with feeling left behind.
This powerful novel, written in verse, addresses themes of identity, family, and belonging through the eyes of a young, autistic trans boy. The story unfolds in a captivating way, blending elements of magical realism with real-world struggles. Gow's masterful use of language and pacing creates a vivid and emotional reading experience.
Saber-Tooth is a celebration of difference and an exploration of the power of community, showcasing the importance of acceptance and understanding. This moving and memorable tale will resonate with readers of all ages, making it a must-read for anyone seeking stories that highlight diverse experiences and promote empathy.
This powerful novel, written in verse, addresses themes of identity, family, and belonging through the eyes of a young, autistic trans boy. The story unfolds in a captivating way, blending elements of magical realism with real-world struggles. Gow's masterful use of language and pacing creates a vivid and emotional reading experience.
Saber-Tooth is a celebration of difference and an exploration of the power of community, showcasing the importance of acceptance and understanding. This moving and memorable tale will resonate with readers of all ages, making it a must-read for anyone seeking stories that highlight diverse experiences and promote empathy.
February 2, 2026
Jasper has been struggling with his brother going off to college. Jasper's parents work nights, and he is often alone now. He feels lonely not just because his brother has left, but also because he doesn't think he has friends.
He wants to look for fossils and starts digging in his yard. The digging helps soothe some anger inside him. But then he hears a voice urging him to dig deeper. The voice is that of a saber-tooth tiger, whose bones lie in the earth.
As this is a novel-in-verse, it's a quick read. The book is rather delightful, just like Mothman. I loved the inclusive characters. Jasper is autistic and trans. He makes friends with another trans nonbinary child and an autistic boy, as well as a neighbor girl whose brother died.
This book explores anger, changes, communication, and more. I loved the authenticity of voices, as well as the way the characters grow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
He wants to look for fossils and starts digging in his yard. The digging helps soothe some anger inside him. But then he hears a voice urging him to dig deeper. The voice is that of a saber-tooth tiger, whose bones lie in the earth.
As this is a novel-in-verse, it's a quick read. The book is rather delightful, just like Mothman. I loved the inclusive characters. Jasper is autistic and trans. He makes friends with another trans nonbinary child and an autistic boy, as well as a neighbor girl whose brother died.
This book explores anger, changes, communication, and more. I loved the authenticity of voices, as well as the way the characters grow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
November 24, 2025
Although the subtitle calls this a novel in verse, to me it read like a regular novel with line breaks in odd spots. It did at times remind me of "The Tyger" poem by William Blake.
I found this book highly relatable. Jasper has difficulty identifying why he feels the way he does and knowing how to express his emotions.
While the synopsis is what got me to request the ARC through NetGalley, I was happily surprised to read that Jasper is an Autistic character written by an Autistic author! I also appreciate all of the LGBTQIA+ representation.
I'm not sure if it was intentional or not but I had a hard time knowing whether the saber-tooth was supposed to be real or an imaginary hallucination.
This was an emotional and suspenseful read.
I found this book highly relatable. Jasper has difficulty identifying why he feels the way he does and knowing how to express his emotions.
While the synopsis is what got me to request the ARC through NetGalley, I was happily surprised to read that Jasper is an Autistic character written by an Autistic author! I also appreciate all of the LGBTQIA+ representation.
I'm not sure if it was intentional or not but I had a hard time knowing whether the saber-tooth was supposed to be real or an imaginary hallucination.
This was an emotional and suspenseful read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A lonely, anxious, angry trans middle grade boy unearths a saber tooth tiger skeleton only to find out that he's unleashed a beast intent on getting revenge on the people who have ravaged his former home. This was a great novel in verse story with a relatable main character learning how to deal with big feelings in healthy ways.
I loved the disability/mental health and trans rep and found this to be a powerful, important story about acceptance, family and climate change. Highly recommended for fans of books like Kyle Lukoff's A world worth saving! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: dead-naming, parental neglect, anxiety, transphobia
I loved the disability/mental health and trans rep and found this to be a powerful, important story about acceptance, family and climate change. Highly recommended for fans of books like Kyle Lukoff's A world worth saving! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: dead-naming, parental neglect, anxiety, transphobia
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I kept going back and forth on how I felt about this because the beginning dragged on foreverrrr and then the ending was resolved so easily, however the characters were great with Jasper perfectly portraying all the different emotions that stem from anxiety to Parker who has a similar life as Jasper, but handles it in a more distanced way to Jesse who also shared the same experiences but handled them in a warm way. I thought the metaphor of the saber-tooth was great, but maybe a bit too on the nose, but this could be a good story for younger readers encountering a lot of emotions due to change
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
This was a well written book with an excellent narrator. I did feel the narrator aided in the main character's characterization. I really liked the themes in this one and how the characters are written. This delves into feeling lonely and feelings of being alone in experiences. I loved the main character and directness of experiences related to autism and transness for a younger audience. This book is great for trying to show that you're not alone even when you feel that way and others can help. It also shows a good story about anger getting out of hand. Overall I really liked this book.
This was a well written book with an excellent narrator. I did feel the narrator aided in the main character's characterization. I really liked the themes in this one and how the characters are written. This delves into feeling lonely and feelings of being alone in experiences. I loved the main character and directness of experiences related to autism and transness for a younger audience. This book is great for trying to show that you're not alone even when you feel that way and others can help. It also shows a good story about anger getting out of hand. Overall I really liked this book.
February 14, 2026
I absolutely loved the first half of this book. Robin Gow is so good at getting readers into the heads of characters. I instantly connected with Jasper and felt for him and all of his big feelings that he couldn't find a place for. This book features an authentic trans autistic protagonist that will be really affirming for many readers. This book falls about for me in the last 25% where things seem to be moving really quickly and resolving or changing and I had a little bit of trouble following the plot. Still, this novel in verse is beautifully written.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book,
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book,
February 23, 2026
Jasper's world has been rocked: his brother Callan has left for college, and Jasper is left to navigate middle school with few friends. It doesn't help that Jasper's also autistic and transgender, making it hard to connect with his peers. Jasper's only friend might be the saber-tooth tiger that's buried in his backyard, the one that speaks to him from below the ground, the one begging to be free. Soon Jasper is obsessed with unearthing the tiger, convinced that a fierce tiger by his side will fix everything wrong with his life.
This novel in verse reminded me a lot of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. I was on board with an extended metaphor about burying feelings and letting them out, but the last quarter of the book took a bizarre turn, and I wasn't sure if the tiger was really a metaphor at all. Did I miss something? Maybe this is just art, and I am supposed to take from it what I want.
My heart was broken that Jasper's parents seemed completely unavailable to him. They are working at night, sleeping during the day, and Jasper suffers because of that.
I thought this book was middle grade based on the cover, but I think I'd put classify this more as young YA.
This novel in verse reminded me a lot of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. I was on board with an extended metaphor about burying feelings and letting them out, but the last quarter of the book took a bizarre turn, and I wasn't sure if the tiger was really a metaphor at all. Did I miss something? Maybe this is just art, and I am supposed to take from it what I want.
My heart was broken that Jasper's parents seemed completely unavailable to him. They are working at night, sleeping during the day, and Jasper suffers because of that.
I thought this book was middle grade based on the cover, but I think I'd put classify this more as young YA.
February 1, 2026
I was completely drawn in from the first page. The poetry is simple but emotionally heavy, and every line feels intentional. Jasper’s relationship with his brother is so tender and real, and the way his anger grows alongside the tiger is brilliant. This is one of those middle-grade books that speaks just as strongly to adults.
February 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC of this book.
I listened to Saber-Tooth with my 7yo. It started off strong, as a coming of age story of a trans & autistic boy coming of age. The storyline of him digging for the fossil was interesting. My son was very disappointed once the fossil was over covered and the story diverged from expectation. It was downhill for us after that.
I listened to Saber-Tooth with my 7yo. It started off strong, as a coming of age story of a trans & autistic boy coming of age. The storyline of him digging for the fossil was interesting. My son was very disappointed once the fossil was over covered and the story diverged from expectation. It was downhill for us after that.
February 11, 2026
What a brave, powerful novel, and surprisingly gripping! I couldn't put the book down until I followed Jasper all the way to the end of his journey. In this novel in verse, Robin Gow beautifully weaves together physical, mental, literal, and figurative challenges. It is a tale for anyone who has ever gotten mad about anything and had to figure out what to do with that anger.
January 22, 2026
I found this book difficult to read. I understand that the point was to help the reader appreciate the world from the young boy’s perspective but the verbiage was hard to follow.
I appreciate the opportunity given by Net Galley to read this book. I have provided an honest, unbiased opinion.
I appreciate the opportunity given by Net Galley to read this book. I have provided an honest, unbiased opinion.
February 26, 2026
I would've preferred the tiger to not be real. I feel like the impact of what it stood for was lessened because it was an actual thing that happened.
The ending needed more. Jasper needed to talk to his parents and brother about what happened and what he needed and that didn't get to happen.
The ending needed more. Jasper needed to talk to his parents and brother about what happened and what he needed and that didn't get to happen.
August 9, 2025
jasper my sweet child 🥺
February 4, 2026
DNF for Saber-Tooth. Glad to see a trans autistic character, but the plot was moving quite slowly and the verse style wasn't the smoothest.
February 12, 2026
This novel in verse is very different compared to most I've read. There is a mix of reality and magical realism that is interesting.
February 24, 2026
What do you do when you're so, so angry? And the world is so, so unfair? And there's a sabertooth tiger in your backyard that you have to dig up?
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