Winging It

by Megan Wagner Lloyd, Keylor Leigh (Narrator), Fabian Cook Jr. (Narrator)

From the Eisner-nominated creators of instant bestsellers Allergic and Squished comes a charming audiobook about family, friendship, and self-discovery!

Twelve-year-old Luna never wanted to move from California to Virginia, even if it is near historic Washington, DC, and no matter how excited her dad is to introduce her to the area where her late mother grew up. And she definitely doesn't want to live with a very formal grandmother she barely knows. But during a visit to the National Museum of Natural History, the rarely seen luna moth for which Luna was named sparks her curiosity. Using her mother's old naturalist notebooks as a guide, Luna, who has always preferred the indoors, endeavors to see a real luna moth with her own eyes. Learning more about nature just might help her make a new friend, figure out how to feel at home in her new life, and understand the mother she never got the chance to know.

Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter have again teamed up to tell a charming and funny story of family, friendship, adventure, and appreciating all life has to offer.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Comics, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

Audible Audio

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Megan Wagner Lloyd is the writer of the kids' graphic novels ALLERGIC and SQUISHED, co-created with illustrator Michelle Mee Nutter, and the SUPER PANCAKE series, co-created with illustrator Abhi Alwar. She's also the author of HAVEN: A SMALL CAT'S BIG ADVENTURE, and several picture books. She lives with her family in the Washington DC area.

Sign up for her newsletter: meganwagnerlloyd.com
Find her on Instagram: @meganwagnerlloyd

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I read this together not once but twice over the weekend, and she started her own nature journal! So for her, this is a 5-star read. Mama is more curmudgeonly with her 5-star ratings, though I also quite enjoyed it. It's a sweet, quiet middle grade graphic novel that follows 12-year-old Luna through all the seasons. It opens with her finding out she can't attend a special weekend away with her best friends because she and her father are moving all the way from California to Virginia! Her dad has a new job, and they're living with her maternal grandmother until they can find a place of their own. Luna's mother died when she was very young, and she doesn't have much of a relationship with her grandmother. While Luna doesn't think of herself as a nature person, she does want to find the luna moth she's named after, and a kid next door makes being outside fun. Her grandmother also talks a lot about how much her mother loved nature, and gives Luna her mother's nature journals, which inspired Luna to keep her own.

It's quiet but lovely. It was a perfect read for my 7-year-old, who is an advanced reader, but often finds middle grade novels to be too stressful, or too crush-centered (we're still in "yuck" phase there). She immediately asked to put more books by the author and illustrator on hold at the library. Done!

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for all those who say graphic novels aren’t real books…this book starts off with a punch to the heart - Luna doesn’t remember her mother who died when she was young, but named her Luna in honor of her love of nature. Just as Luna is getting ready to ask her dad for an epic hangout with her best friends in LA, he surprises her by saying he got a new job and they have to move across the country, to Virginia, to live with her maternal grandmother, who she has rarely seen. Moving to a new place, starting a new school, having her dad be too busy to talk to her, a grandmother who seems strict and distant - real life issues that seem small but loom large in a kid’s life. Luna’s frustration and resilience makes her a character you want to root for, and her interactions with new friends, her father and especially her grandmother, are delightful in their familiarity, humor and honesty. My particular favorite is the interaction between Luna and her grandmother as they struggle to figure each other out. The overarching theme of looking for the elusive Luna moth, as a way to remember and honor her mother, allows for some beautifully detailed illustrations and will have readers running to create their own versions of nature journals (and helpfully, there’s a guide at the back of the book!) my kids devoured this book in one sitting and will definitely be handing this book to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson, for readers who love their graphic novels with complex, relatable characters and drawings that add so much more meaning to the story. Thanks to @Scholastic for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen Petro-Roy]

This was lovely.

[Megan Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this. It was a great look at how we sometimes have to adapt against our will and how those situations end up healing something we didn’t know needed healing.

And I love ANYTHING that encourages people to get back out into nature and appreciate it. That’s how we get people to want to protect it.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounding up. I liked how Luna's relationship with her grandmother evolved throughout the story.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Luna has always lived in California with just her dad; her mother died when Luna was just a baby.  Summer vacation is in full swing for Luna as she excitedly plans a girls’ trip to Los Angeles with her best friends and their moms, when Dad drops some life-altering news: he is being transferred to Washington, DC. and they will be moving before the start of the school year.  Even more astounding is that they will be living temporarily in Virginia, in her mother’s childhood home with Grandma Wright, her maternal grandmother whom Luna barely knows.  

Upon their arrival, Luna immediately chafes at her strict grandmother’s house rules and old-fashioned expectations, and worries a great deal about fitting in at her new school.  But she sees a number of positives in her new situation too: she enjoys sightseeing in Washington, and marvels at the changing season and the forest environs of Grandma’s neighborhood.  She also considers the move an opportunity to learn more about her mother; Mom was a nature-loving environmental lawyer, and named her daughter after a moth, but Luna has not inherited the outdoorsy gene.  When Grandma shares her mom’s childhood nature journals, Luna begins to see exploring the woods and fields around her as a way to make a connection with Mom AND establish some new friendships.  She soon befriends a little neighbor girl named Sophie, a self-proclaimed detective, and the two set out to explore the woods together, recording all of their interesting finds in a new journal.  Making friends her own age takes a little more time, but she bonds with Sophie’s older brother Oliver and bravely joins the environmental club at school, quickly becoming an active member and good friends with Riri, the club president.  The family dynamic improves as Luna and Grandma get to know each other better; a small challenge arises when Grandma breaks her leg ice skating and she has to allow Luna to help her more.  The ice is melting between the two of them at last, and when a planned camping trip with Dad (to fulfill Luna’s quest to spot a rare luna moth) may have to be called off, Grandma offers to step in. Despite torrential thunderstorms, the trip turns out to be a meaningful bonding experience for both of them.

This is a gentle and comforting coming-of-age story that incorporates several themes that readers will relate to and/or empathize with: grief, moving, intergenerational connections, and environmental concerns.  Taking place over the course of one year in Luna’s life, from July to July, the book is divided into monthly sections with scrapbook-like chapter headings.  Documenting the passage of time and the changing seasons in this way is an effective means to highlight Luna’s progress as she acclimates to her new home and circumstances - the slowly evolving relationships with her father and Grandma, the development of new friendships, and the changes in herself as well.  She grows in confidence as the year goes by, strengthening her passion for, and understanding of, the natural world around her.  The dialog in each scene feels authentic, whether a conversation between Luna and her reserved grandmother, or a text message exchange with her besties back in California, and the speech bubbles are easy to follow.  The graphic novel layout includes a variety of panel sizes, as well as page spreads from the journals of both Luna and her mother, and the comic-book style illustrations bring every character and scene to life by perfectly depicting movements and emotions.  The book is also noteworthy in its seamless and unremarkable inclusivity; Luna is multiracial, Oliver uses hearing aids and has two moms, and the community is diverse.  A simple set of instructions for creating your own nature journal is included. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Luna, whose mother died when she was a baby, lives in California with her father. She's planning a girls' trip to Los Angeles with her good friends Gabriella and Mia, but her father breaks bad news to her: because of his job, he is being transferred to the Washington, D.C. area, and the two are going to be staying with her mother's mother, whom Luna has only seen once a year and doesn't feel a connection to at all. She has to start 7th grade in a new school, but does join the school nature club, since her mother was an outdoorsy person. Luna is not, but once her grandmother gives her her mother's nature journals, Luna starts one of her own, and spends more time outside. It helps that neighbors Sophie and Oliver are out a lot, and the club introduces her to some of the parks and museums in the area. It's not easy to get along with her grandmother, who has lots of rules about not leaving back packs on the floor and taking off shoes, and has two cats and a dog who are not particularly friendly. Eventually, however, the two work on their connection. When Luna and her father plan a camping trip so that she can try to see a Luna moth in the forest, her father has a work commitment, so her grandmother steps in. Will Luna be able to see a Luna moth, and make peace with her new life in the DC area?
Strengths: Lloyd and Nutter's Allergic and Squished are super popular in my library because they deal with dogs and big families, respectively. The illustration style is similar to Raina Telgemeier's or Gale Galligan's in that it is bright, with clear, realistic cartoon style characters and well developed backgrounds. There is a realistic amount of drama; Luna misses her friends, wants to know more about the mother she never met, and wonders why she doesn't have a closer relationship with her grandmother. She doesn't have a particularly hard time at her new school, but does miss her friends. This will be a nice, light read for fans of graphic novels.
Weaknesses: It wasn't really necessary to kill the mother off in order for Luna to bond with her grandmother. It is not stated in the text, but I wonder if part of the estrangement was because Luna's father is Black and the mother was white. Exploring that would have added some depth to an otherwise light plot. Of course, perhaps this isn't an issue as much as it was in 2008 when Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything In It was published.
What I really think: I will probably buy a copy of this, and it will circulate well, but it wasn't my favorite. This just needed a little extra... something. My students won't have any objections to it, though!

[LiteraryCryptid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming graphic novel that explores family, identity, and grief through the life of twelve year old Luna.

Luna finds her life turned upside-down when her father announces that they are moving from their home in California to live with her maternal grandmother in Virginia. While her dad is showing Luna all the things her late mum grew up around, Luna is worried about starting this new chapter of her life with someone she doesn't really know and in a whole new neighbourhood. Slowly she starts to make new friends, explore her new home, and build a deeper bond with her family and the mum she never knew.

This is adorable and I loved every second of it. Luna is a heartwarming character who grows consistently through the novel. There is a diverse cast of characters within, each having their moment to shape the changes in Luna's life and assist with her growth. The entire novel does an exemplary depiction of grief, both through Luna's eyes as a child who lost her mum at a very young age, and through her family members as they also continue to process their loss an the impact on their current life.

An added bit of fun - this book is great for inspiring young readers to get outside and explore their neighbourhoods. Luna builds her community and friendships through her ongoing interest in nature. Her journey is a great way to encourage young readers to get outside and engage with the natural world around them as well.


Publishing: October 21, 2025
Thank you to Scholastic for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

[vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A return to form for this duo of creators. I liked but didn't love Squished, but I really found Allergic to be so special. Winging It is what I was looking for: kindhearted, emotionally resonant characters and a good story arc. Maybe too many people got injured here (?), but the start of relationships post-Luna's big cross country move was great to see develop. The grandmother/granddaughter relationship, the new neighbor kids, and school friends. Luna's nature journal reminded me of how I loved scrapbooking and memory keeping as a kid. I loved the DMV representation here, like the Smithsonian museums, walking around the Capitol, and the change of the seasons.... though I will say the scenes of cherry blossoms with like four people in the background are quite unrealistic ;)

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming middle grade graphic novel with a nature focus. Luna and her father have just moved in with her maternal grandmother. Her mother died when she was a baby, under circumstances that are never discussed. The cross country move is a huge change for Luna, and so is living with her rigid grandmother. This is a very episodic book, with each month being represented by a small handful of scenes. Over the course of the year, she finds a niche at her new school, befriends the neighbors, slowly bonds with her grandmother, and most importantly to the narrative, forges her own connection with nature by starting a nature journal. Her late mother also kept her own nature journal, which helps her feel connected to the parent she never really knew. Even outside of the emotional connections, the nature journals look very fun, and I can see a lot of young readers being inspired to start their own. All of the characters are realistically written, and Luna is an especially engaging protagonist.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun!
This charming, colorful graphic novel features nature, butterflies and moths, and the search for a luna moth. But there's more to the story, of course.

Luna and her father move from California to Virginia, move in with Grandma (Luna's mother's mother), and make new friends, rebuild their lives. As Luna begins to fit it, she also learns about nature and the environment. AND, the family learns to like one another.

It's an uplifting tale, much needed for this day and age.

The graphics are charming and easy to follow. This one is perfect for kids of all ages. I'm inspired to go outside and explore my local community and mother nature.

Thanks to Graphix and Scholastic http://www.scholastic.com/graphix for an ARC to read and review

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luna has always wanted to know more about her mother, who died when she was a baby. Now, her father must move from California to Virginia for a new job. This is their chance to connect with Grandma Wright, Luna’s maternal grandmother. . . However, Grandma Wright is VERY particular and Luna feels like she and her father “don’t fit in”. Luna misses her friends and the wonderful “girls’ trip” they had planned before she was pulled across the country.
Gradually, Luna makes new friends, Grandma Wright starts to open up and even shares nature journals created by Luna’s mother when she was young. A camping trip, grandma’s garden, and finding a REAL Luna moth seals their emergence as a true FAMILY!

[Morgan Gayles · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

This graphic novel hit me right in the feelings. Young Luna having to pack up her whole life and move across the country…I felt that. Similarly, I had to do the same thing when my mom’s job moved us, and that homesick-confused-“everything is different” stage. Watching Luna find her footing reminded me of younger me trying to adjust and make sense of a brand new place.

I loved the nature aspect of this story…the journaling, the luna moth, and just the quiet moments of observing the world around her. My favorite part was her reconnecting with her grandma. They definitely had a little misunderstanding at first, but the way they were able to come together and start a new relationship felt so genuine and sweet.

[Marissa Mariano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was super cute! I really loved the father daughter relationship as well as the grandmother/ granddaughter relationship. Luna is super cute but Sophie is my favorite character. Luna moves and has to start in a new state, new school and she’s living with her grandmother that she really doesn’t have a relationship with. She’s figuring everything out while also trying to learn more about her mom to get closer to her. There’s alot of information about nature and the environment! The themes of the book are pretty age appropriate for elementary children as well as middle school children.

CW: loss of a parent
Other topics shown( not talked about in depth just brought up): interracial marriage, lgbt parent relationship, deaf child

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Graphic Novel**
**Middle Grade**
Luna and her dad live in California, her mom passed away when she was younger. A new job moves them to the DC suburbs where her grandma lives. As she has only seen her grandmother during yearly visits she is not familiar with her. They move in with her grandma until they can find a place of their own. f the outdoors but her mom's mom loves gardening. Luna begins to learn more about her mom and her love of nature through her nature journals. She and her grandma become close especially in their search for the "luna" moth. Includes instructions on making your own nature journal.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Lloyd. A few weeks ago my students and I watched her live event on Storyvoice (and drew along-we all made lovely luna moths) and it definitely got kids very excited. There was a lot to like about this story about a girl who wonders how she can miss a mom she never knew (died when she was a baby) and is coping with a cross country move and living with a grandma she doesn't know well. But what I really, really liked was watching Luna grow to enjoy nature and keep a nature journal. I really hope this inspires kids to spend more time just looking around and enjoying moments in nature. Pair this with the wonderful Observologist!

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this graphic novel in support of kids deepening their relationship with nature through nature journalling. This is fiction, too, a great story about girl who lost her mother when she was a baby and when her dad decides to move closer to her aging grandmother on her mother's side, she gets to review her mom's nature journals and begins one of her own. Lovely slice of life -- about moving to a new location and finding a new home, this time connected to the natural world around her, as well as new friends.

[Willow Macleod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this simple story a lot! It was inspiring and I might even try keeping a nature journal. But a few things confused me. Was the main character, Luna, named after a Luna moth? Or did she just like them and want to find them? Why was a character with hearing Aida out in the rain with his hearing aids e? Lastly, it seemed like she didn’t have any interests before she discovered journaling? This may seem like a three star review, but those things aside I really did enjoy this sweet graphic novel

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Luna moves from sunny Cali to her grandma’s old house in Virginia to talk about a big change! But when she finds her mom’s nature journals and goes on a quest to spot a real luna moth (yep, that’s what she’s named after), she starts to see her new world in a whole new light.

Beautifully illustrated and full of heart, this graphic novel is all about family, growing up, and finding magic in the unexpected. Perfect for middle graders and nature lovers!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read about moving, starting over, family, and the beauty of nature. I especially love the messaging in the story when an adult apologizes to a child for their poor behavior. I don’t think we see enough of that in stories, showing that adults can make mistakes, too, and that forgiveness is important to learn early on. This will be a great graphic novel to get into kids’ hands when it releases in October!

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the most indoctrinating Meghan Wagner Lloyd book I’ve read and I think I’ve read all of them up to this point. This was overall just a boring story in general, but the most unbelievable part to me was the boy with the hearing aids out in the pouring rain with his hearing aids. Obviously the author knows nothing about hearing aids because water and hearing aids don’t mix. While they were drawn correctly (thank goodness for no more stereotypical old people hearing aids) hearing aids in pouring rain can easily get ruined. This incorrect fact irritated me as someone who is personally around hearing aids a lot.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This graphic novel follows Luna’s unexpected move across the country to stay with her grandmother due to her father’s new job. I loved the focus on her developing new interests outdoors. It is a perfect middle grade read- as Luna works through family and friendship issues that middle graders will definitely relate to and understand.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn't know much about this one and really enjoyed it. Luna has moved across country and is living with her dad and her deceased mom's mother, her grandmother. They have not had a close relationship so most of the story is how they end up growing that relationship but also how Luna grows into her self. Sweet story.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I thought this was cute. I wasn't a big fan of the grandma but she grew on me. I mean, we all have those type of people in our lives where we have to follow their rules
Or they won't accept us.
Very good book. I like that the main character was able to relate to her mother who had passed away through activities that she did when she was a kid.

[Judy Rath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story! I really enjoy these two collaborators. Stories are so approachable and the lessons are not heavy handed. Appreciate the diverse characters and the focus on nature. Touches on everyday subjects like moving, building a relationship with grandparents, and making new friends. Love having these books for early elementary kids who need something to follow up babysitters club with.

[Diana Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great graphic novel from the duo behind Allergic and Squished. I'd call this one a "gentle read" - in this slice of life story there's not a lot of conflict, but there is growth. Plus, I'm a bit inspired to start a nature journal myself! Recommended for upper elementary and middle school readers.

[Alyssa DeLeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very good! Really awesome nature based story for kids with wonderful artwork. I liked all the relationship progressions and the storyline. Didn’t feel like there was any unnecessary conflict to spice up the plot. Really well done. Great for middle schoolers.

[Latte Hawthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four-ish stars, maybe a little lower. Everything felt too rushed and surface level, but it was a cute book.
Content: completely clean. No language or sexual content whatsoever. There is a minor lesbian couple (neighbors/parents of the MC’s friend), but they’re only mentioned about twice. MC’s mother died when she was a baby. Mild medical content including (minor spoiler)



broken bones and a concussion (not the MC)

[AnneLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great title from this duo. Great choice for readers who like realistic fiction (and the kids learn at the same time!). I love to hike, so thought this was a great introduction to nature journaling.

Would recommend this to my graphic novel fans.

[rachel x]

megan wagner lloyd is my favourite mg graphic novelist! i can't wait for her newest release