2022 book 36

 Molly Gloss' Outside the Gates

I’ve never read anything by Gloss before, but I may have to investigate her other stuff, because this was pretty intriguing. It’s about a little boy who is cast out from his town bc he has a mysterious gift (HIS GIFT IS THE ABILITY TO BEFRIEND ANIMALS!!) and has to make his way out in the woods—but he’s not the first person to be cast out. (Not to sound ominous about it! Just the woods are full of scared people with cool gifts.) This has a hopeful sort of vibe, I just wanted there to be more of it! A-.