Weird Sad and Silent

Ever since she stood up to her mother’s loud, violent boyfriend two years ago, Daisy Jackson has gotten good at “invisibilizing” herself through silence to stay safe from bullying peers. Now a fifth grader, friendless Daisy (nicknamed “Weird Sad and Silent” by her classmates) finds comfort in patterns and routines such as re-reading her beloved copy of Dear Mr. Henshaw, memorizing Roman numerals, and writing secret, cat-centric haiku as she prepares to tame a feral stray feline she dubs Rumble Paws. But the arrival of new student Austin, whom Daisy perceives as being unapologetically himself, challenges her not only to embrace change but enact it. As Daisy gains agency, she uncovers secrets about her classmates and learns that having a voice and choosing to use it are very different things: “There’s power in making people afraid of you... in knowing a secret about someone... in telling everyone else the secret... and in not telling everyone else.” Written in compelling, readaloud-ready vignettes that are as compact as they are impactful, McGhee (Telephone of the Tree) delivers a distinctly voiced story of connection and resilience. Daisy’s mother is Mexican American. Ages 9–12. Agent: Sara Crowe, Sara Crowe Literary. (May)