Book cover of Owl Moon

Book description

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.

But there is no answer.

Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

3 authors picked Owl Moon as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book is about nature and winter, about owling and hope. Every page is like a poem, and I can feel the winter gentle, silent as a dream. I love the details that are so real to me: long shadows on snow as white as milk in a cereal bowl. 

I hear the train in the distance as farm dogs answer in a song. I can relate so vividly that this book gives me shivers. I know that feeling of a scarf over my mouth, wet and warm and furry. Meant to be read over and over, I still delight…

Owl Moon is the poetic story of a young girl who, long past her bedtime, is going owling with her father on a winter’s night. It’s an adventure for the girl as she and her father, almost in silence, crunch over the crisp snow searching for the Great Horned Owl. The woods are lit with a winter moon "whiter than a milk in a cereal bowl." Eventually, their patience is rewarded as the owl lands on a branch right on the tree they are standing under. The father lifts the little girl, who is tired from the whole adventure, and…

From Theresa's list on the sun and moon from around the world.

As loud and boisterous as Bear Hunt is, Owl Moon is quiet and hushed—so quiet that you can hear the wind on the frozen tree branches and feel the chill of the night air while reading this book. Jane Yolen’s poetic text and John Schoenherr’s rich art takes us into the moonlit night on an “Owling” trek with Pa, on a search for this ghost bird of winter, and leaves you breathless by the end.

If you love Owl Moon...

Book cover of The Drum Tree

The Drum Tree by Catherine V. Wolf,

The Drum Tree explores an Earth equivalent world at the cusp of ecological and economic uncertainty through the discoveries and explorations of four exceptional teens and their families.

In this book, you will meet Delan—a drummer and forest wanderer, Hali—a dancer and free spirit, and Jase—a blacksmith and martial artist.…

Want books like Owl Moon?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 93 books like Owl Moon.

Browse books like Owl Moon

Book cover of On a Magical Do-Nothing Day
Book cover of Miss Rumphius
Book cover of Over and Under the Snow

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,340

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Owl Moon, you might also like...

Book cover of Selkie Moon

Selkie Moon by Kelly Jarvis,

We are all surrounded by darkness. And we are all drawn to the light.

The Orkney Islands north of Scotland are steeped in stories of selkies, seal folk who swim in cold ocean waters and shed their skins to sing and dance on land.

One young girl named Isla uses…

Book cover of Stella's Special Recipe

Stella's Special Recipe by Melissa Stoller,

It’s Rosh Hashanah, and Stella is finally old enough to make her family’s famous stuffed cabbage rolls. The recipe has been passed down from her Bubbe Sophie to her Nana to her Mama, with each adding their own special ingredient and a little bit of love. Now it’s Stella’s turn.…

5 book lists we think you will like!