Weird Sad and Silent

By: Alison McGhee

Narrated by: Krysta Gonzales

In this touching novel by the acclaimed author of Telephone of the Tree, an intriguing new boy at school helps Daisy cope with both bullying and past trauma.

Daisy has been working on invisibilizing herself—ever since living with her mother’s violent ex-boyfriend, and now to avoid the school bullies who are targeting her. She keeps a low profile, eating lunch with the librarian instead of in the Lunchroom of Terror and secretly counting whenever she’s anxious.

But things are looking up. A new boy has befriended her and seems able to stand up to the bullies, and the stray cat she’s been feeding is starting to almost trust her. Maybe she can finally focus on futurizing rather than invisibilizing.

Critic reviews

"Written in compelling, read aloud-ready vignettes that are as compact as they are impactful, McGhee delivers a distinctly voiced story of connection and resilience." —Publishers Weekly

"This is a moving tale of self-acceptance with a heap of tender respect for the quiet, weird, and sad kids everywhere.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

★"McGhee adeptly balances a candid yet sensitive portrayal of domestic violence and its lasting impacts with a nuanced exploration of self-discovery and the power of friendship. In Daisy, she’s crafted a protagonist with a rich inner life.” —Kirkus

"Well-developed characters in a believable world and short chapters make for accessible, enjoyable reading, balancing harder elements of the story with the beauty of community. A hopeful, heartening story.” —Kirkus

"McGhee’s nuanced portrayal of living in the aftermath of trauma is poignant and vital. Daisy’s complex relationship with counting, as well as her compulsions to “pastify” and “futurize” her life provide a medley of sadness and hope for young readers. Her coming-of-age arc from an invisible student to someone who isn’t afraid to take up space is powerful and engaging. McGhee’s simple diction is complemented by her fierce commentary on the strength of differences and self-acceptance, and readers will finish this novel futurizing an authentic life of their own. A brutally beautiful portrayal of the power of finding your own voice, this is a necessary buy for libraries hoping to expand their mental health-centric collections.” —School Library Journal

"McGhee’s story is full of positive adult role models, empathy for others, and optimism to persevere through the “weird,” “sad” silence that may fall in the wake of trauma.” —The Horn Book Magazine