A Sudden Silence

The Caldecott Medal–winning author portrays a teenage boy’s battle with grief—and a devastating mystery—after his brother is killed by a drunk driver.

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 Bry’s crush, Chloe. Together Jesse and Chloe try to track down the drunk driver who killed Bry—but discovering the driver’s identity leads to disturbing truths that could change their lives forever.

“Fast paced, suspenseful, magnetic, and meaningful, A Sudden Silence speaks about guilt, grief, and survival.” —School Library Journal

“Bunting conveys a strong anti-alcoholism message through an intriguing detective story; Jesse’s search to understand what has occurred is realistically portrayed, and the novel ends with signs that he is beginning to accept his loss.” —Publishers Weekly

“The novel’s anti-alcohol message is unmistakable, but it doesn’t overwhelm the plot, which will capture teens with its brisk pacing and crisply sketched characters. A particularly good choice for reluctant readers.” —Booklist