The Song of Us
by Kate Fussner (Author)
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Kirkus Reviews
Publishers Weekly
Immediate-feeling verse traces painful self-discovery and heady first love in Fussner's debut, a queer retelling of "Orpheus and Eurydice." When white-presenting seventh graders Eden and Olivia meet at the school poetry club that Olivia cofounded, they feel a simultaneous pull toward one another. Their secret relationship quickly blossoms into a deep, consuming first love, but their connection fractures during a heated argument about a Halloween party. Olivia hatches a plan to win Eden back via the power of love poems as the two struggle separately with identity, fitting in and friendships, and challenging parental situations involving Olivia's mother's depression and Eden's emotionally abusive father. Tracing the experiences of two kids with limited control over their lives, snappy verse embodies the girls' achingly real alternating voices while thoughtfully considering topics such as coming out, mental health, parental abuse, and peer pressure. While prior knowledge of the myth isn't essential to understanding the story, those familiar will pick up on subtle nods, including heartfelt performance as a path to regaining lost love. Hand this yearning-tinged slice-of-life romance to fans of Ashley Herring Blake and K.A. Holt. Secondary characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 10-up. Agent: Eric Smith, P.S. Literary Agency. (May)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
In this gorgeous tale, Fussner delivers what feels like...a song. Of us. Of anyone who has ever been in love. Or anyone transformed by it. An impressive debut! — Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author
A tender book about first crushes, peer pressure, and parental problems in middle school. Written in glorious verse, The Song of Us is an ode to love—love that defies expectations, overcomes disappointment, and transcends grief, love that springs in our hearts like song. — Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White and Whole
"A stunning song of first love, heartache, and the freedom of knowing yourself. Eden and Olivia will linger in my heart." — Lambda literary award winning author Rebecca Podos
A stunning novel in verse for anyone who has ever been in love. Hitting the sweet spot for readers ages 11-15, this book captures the drama, love, and heart ache of being in middle school. As a high school librarian, I tend to not read Middle Grade books, and when I do, they feel so very young to me. This though, this is a middle grade book you want to hand to your 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. Everything about it felt authentic, and you can tell that Fussner knows middle school. The things I loved the most: - The concrete (shape) poems! Audio and eBook readers will miss out on this (especially the microwave one). I love a great concrete poem and the ones in here deliver. - That it is authentic to Boston!! As a Boston resident, there is nothing that turns me off more in a book than when an author does a terrible job of situating the book in the city (side-eyeing two books in particular right now). Fussner knows her city and everything from the location of the school to the T messing with plans is authentic. - That if you know the myth of Orpheus & Eurydice you will see the echoes in this retelling and if you don't know it, it's still fine and you can thoroughly enjoy the story. - How even though a novel in verse is far shorter than a typical prose novel, the characters still felt whole and complete, including the supporting characters. Fussner is skilled at crafting gorgeous verse; for the reading experience alone, you will not be disappointed.
JUV022020 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, & Fables | Greek & Roman
JUV039100 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Peer Pressure
JUV039190 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Dating & Relationships
JUV060000 - Juvenile Fiction | LGBT
Dating (Social customs)
Poets
Romance fiction
Middle school students
Dating
Queer fiction
