



Elise's journey will speak to anyone who has struggled to find their voice, overcome their doubts, and discover their own self worth." - John David Anderson, author of Granted and Posted, "A powerful and poetic novel about the power of words to shape who we are and who we can be. "A powerful and poetic novel about the power of words to shape who we are and who we can be. It is a story that will hopefully foster empathy and maybe even communication with our 'quiet' peers."-Wesley King, author of OCDaniel A 2019 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (NCTE) A 2018 Cybils Nominee A Texas Lone Star Reading List title After Zero reminds us of so many loved ones of those suffering from anxiety or depressive disorders. Great for parents and educators looking for: A story that addresses middle school social interactions, grief, loss and mental illness A story that depicts selective mutism authentically Stories for readers that are fans of The Thing About Jellyfish and Crenshaw Praise for After Zero : "This tender and truthful book stays with you long after the words have gone."-Patricia Forde, author of The List "A must read. Then, the discovery of a shocking family secret helps Elise realize that her silence might just be the key to unlocking everything she's ever hoped for. But now months have passed, and Elise isn't sure she could speak even if she wanted to-not to keep her only friend, Mel, from drifting further away-or to ask if anyone else has seen her English teacher's stuffed raven come to life. Zero means no wrong answers called out in class, no secrets accidentally spilled, no conversations to agonize over at night when sleep is far away. Elise carries a notebook full of tallies, each page marking a day spent at her new public school, each stroke of her pencil marking a word spoken. Bixby's Last Day A poignant and lyrical middle-grade debut that asks: What do you do when you realize that words can be more isolating than silence. Age Level: 8 and up - Grade Level: 3 to 7 "Powerful and poetic."-John David Anderson, author of Posted and Ms.
