The Caldecott Medalâwinning author portrays a teenage boyâs battle with griefâand a devastating mysteryâafter his brother is killed by a drunk driver.
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Jesse Harmon is tortured by guilt because he survived the hit-and-run accident that killed his deaf brother, Bry. His guilt is compounded when he finds he is attracted to Bryâs crush, Chloe. Together Jesse and Chloe try to track down the drunk driver who killed Bryâbut discovering the driverâs identity leads to disturbing truths that could change their lives forever.
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âFast paced, suspenseful, magnetic, and meaningful, A Sudden Silence speaks about guilt, grief, and survival.â âSchool Library Journal
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âBunting conveys a strong anti-alcoholism message through an intriguing detective story; Jesseâs search to understand what has occurred is realistically portrayed, and the novel ends with signs that he is beginning to accept his loss.â âPublishers Weekly
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âThe novelâs anti-alcohol message is unmistakable, but it doesnât overwhelm the plot, which will capture teens with its brisk pacing and crisply sketched characters. A particularly good choice for reluctant readers.â âBooklist