"A wholesome ode to devoted friendship."—Kirkus Reviews
"Hilarious and heartfelt, Langford has crafted a story that will mean so much to so many readers. A story of friendship and loss that will tear your heart to pieces before stitching it back together. A stunning debut from a much-needed voice." —Mason Deaver, author of Okay, Cupid
"Comforting, authentic, and at times laugh out loud funny, The Loudest Silence deals with facing your fears and finding your people through music and language. Langford handles themes of friendship, acceptance, and grief with a deft hand, delivering both a poignant look into the Deaf experience and a compelling depiction of platonic love. The distinct voices of this dual-POV debut make for a heartwarming read—one that is not to be missed by fans of contemporary YA." —Kelly Andrew, author of The Whispering Dark
"Witty and full of heart, The Loudest Silence is a genuine portrayal of what it's like to become disabled at the same time you're trying to find your way in the world. Langford approaches the narrative and their characters with an abundance of empathy that is present in every page. A lovely debut." —Lillie Lainoff, author of One For All
"Exploring expression through language and song, The Loudest Silence will make your heart sing. Sydney Langford crafts a delightfully captivating story that doesn’t shy away from the realities of grief and change." —Anna Sortino, author of Give Me a Sign
"A witty and nuanced debut! The Loudest Silence is an extraordinarily crafted love song to language, grief, vulnerability, and finding community. With a captivating voice and poignant storytelling, Sydney Langford is destined to become a new favorite for many readers."
—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You
"In Sydney Langford's The Loudest Silence, prepare to embark on a heart-warming journey through the power of found family, queerplatonic love, and the magic of music. Through moments of laughter, tears, and deep connection, Langford crafts a story that resonates long after the final page. Heartfelt and hilarious, this book is sure to strike a chord with readers." —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials.
"The Loudest Silence is a sweet, poignant, beautiful story about friendship, finding your people, and the true meaning of home. A debut that will make so many readers feel seen." —Rachael Lippincott, New York Times bestselling author of She Gets the Girl
"A wholesome ode to friendship. Langford highlights the social and accessibility issues Casey faces, including auditory fatigue and ableism, alongside Hayden’s realization that he’s struggled for years with generalized anxiety disorder. The friendship between acerbic, tough, bisexual Casey and soft-hearted, earnest Hayden, who’s asexual and aromantic, is sweetly and unconditionally loving as well as refreshing, given the relative scarcity of portrayals of boy-girl friendships." —Kirkus Reviews
2024-04-20
Casey Kowalski, new to Miami from Portland, Oregon, became Deaf-Hard of Hearing several months ago.
Casey, who’s white, is adjusting to life between the Hearing and Deaf worlds. She’s determined to make it through junior year without forming any connections as she grieves her identity as a singer and the loss of the friends and boyfriend who dumped her when she lost her hearing. Cuban and Italian American Hayden González-Rossi is expected to follow in the footsteps of his legendary fútbol family, but he dreams of performing on Broadway. The teens’ shared musical passion grows stronger when Casey joins Hayden’s friend group and he becomes her ASL student, creative partner, and closest confidant. The unlikely pair give each other strength to become fully themselves. Langford highlights the social and accessibility issues Casey faces, including auditory fatigue and ableism, alongside Hayden’s realization that he’s struggled for years with generalized anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, many lessons, while vital, are conveyed didactically rather than shown through emotional beats. ASL and simultaneous communication are both described and translated, an effective approach that draws readers into Casey’s experience of language. Her embrace of Deaf identity and culture is a welcome and important touchstone of her journey. The friendship between acerbic, tough, bisexual Casey and soft-hearted, earnest Hayden, who’s asexual and aromantic, is sweetly and unconditionally loving as well as refreshing, given the relative scarcity of portrayals of boy-girl friendships.
A wholesome ode to devoted friendship. (content warning, ASL alphabet, content note, author’s note, resources) (Fiction. 13-18)
