Schneider Family Book Award, Best Teen Honor Book 2020

Contemporary fiction fans will find it hard to put down The Silence Between Us-a YA novel that doesn't shy away from real-life issues including the challenges faced by those in the Deaf culture, relationship struggles, communication problems, and complicated families.

Deaf teen Maya moves across the country and must attend a hearing school for the first time. As if that wasn't hard enough, she also has to adjust to the hearing culture, which she finds frustrating. As Maya looks past graduation and focuses on her future dreams, nothing, not even an unexpected romance, will derail her pursuits or cause her to question her own self worth.

The Silence Between Us:

• Features a Deaf protagonist and an #OwnVoices perspective on Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture
• Is a clean YA romance by Wattpad sensation Alison Gervais
• Is perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and CeCe Bell
• Includes an interview with the author and a commentary on cochlear implants by Alison

"The Silence Between Us is eminently un-put-down-able." (NPR)

"Gervais deftly renders both the nuanced, everyday realities of life with disability and Maya's fierce pride in her Deafness, delivering a vibrant story that will resonate with Deaf and hearing audiences alike." - Booklist

"A solid addition to middle/high school fiction that allows for deep discussion about stereotypes concerning disabilities." School Library Journal

"This is a great YA contemporary (clean) romance that follows Maya as she navigates a new school and plans for her future. The addition of representation by a Deaf character was really beautifully done. Highly recommend for people looking for a sweet, engaging, and educational romantic read." (YA and Kids Book Central)

About the Author
Alison Gervais is the author of In 27 Days and The Silence Between Us, for which she received the 2020 Schneider Family Honor Book Award. Alison works at a nonprofit organization that provides services to people with disabilities and writes as often as she can. Currently she lives in Colorado with her husband and their two daughters.

Reviews
The Silence Between Us is eminently un-put-down-able. * NPR *
A spectacular follow-up to In 27 Days, Gervais has written a beautiful contemporary YA novel featuring a strong female lead who isn't willing to change herself to fit in. A heartwarming own voices story about moving to a new school, making friends, and falling in love. * Kelly Anne Blount, USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Watty Award Winner *
A spectacular follow-up to In 27 Days, Gervais has written a beautiful contemporary YA novel featuring a strong female lead who isn't willing to change herself to fit in. A heartwarming own voices story about moving to a new school, making friends, and falling in love. * Kelly Anne Blount, USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Watty Award Winner *
A spirited story about a girl trying to find herself and her place in the world. Gervais' writing is sure to inspire readers to always stand up for who they are. * Christina June, author of It Started with Goodbye, Everywhere You Want to Be, and No Place Like Here *
A spirited story about a girl trying to find herself and her place in the world. Gervais' writing is sure to inspire readers to always stand up for who they are. * Christina June, author of It Started with Goodbye, Everywhere You Want to Be, and No Place Like Here *
A unique and deftly written novel showcasing a strong deaf character and how she deals with all that her situation entails, 'The Silence Between Us' is a compelling and thoroughly entertaining read from cover to cover. * Midwest Book Review *
Alison Gervais (In 27 Days), herself Hard of Hearing (HoH), portrays Maya as frustrated by setbacks yet exuberant in her pride as a member of the Deaf community. The everyday discrimination Maya faces doesn't weigh her down--'Discrimination? Welcome to my world.' Gervais depicts signed dialogue in the 'choppy English' characteristic of ASL, immersing the reader in Maya's life. The Silence Between Us is a boon to young adult literature, helping to remedy the shortage of Deaf protagonists with the spitfire Maya and her momentous self-confidence. The Silence Between Us is a boon to young adult literature, helping to remedy the shortage of Deaf protagonists with the spitfire Maya and her momentous self-confidence. * Shelf Awareness *
Alison Gervais' The Silence Between Us, not only captures the anxiety most young people feel when they've been uprooted from their community of friends, but in Maya's case, it's exacerbated by the fact she is deaf and newly planted in a hearing school. As nervous as Maya is, her wonderful sense of humor enlivens the story for the reader. Gervais has a perfect grasp of the challenges facing Maya and fleshes them out empathetically. Her portrayal of Maya and the pitfalls she faces, in my opinion, is spot on. More subtle is Maya's natural defensiveness even against those students who attempt to befriend her, throwing up barriers when she suspects pity as their motivation. * Ginny Rorby, author of Hurt Go Happy *
Alison Gervais' The Silence Between Us, not only captures the anxiety most young people feel when they've been uprooted from their community of friends, but in Maya's case, it's exacerbated by the fact she is deaf and newly planted in a hearing school. As nervous as Maya is, her wonderful sense of humor enlivens the story for the reader. Gervais has a perfect grasp of the challenges facing Maya and fleshes them out empathetically. Her portrayal of Maya and the pitfalls she faces, in my opinion, are spot on. More subtle is Maya's natural defensiveness even against those students who attempt to befriend her, throwing up barriers when she suspects pity as their motivation. * Ginny Rorby, author of Hurt Go Happy *
At its heart, The Silence Between Us is as much about learning to open our minds as it is about learning to open our eyes and ears. * McCall Hoyle, author of The Thing with Feathers and Meet the Sky *
At its heart, The Silence Between Us is as much about learning to open our minds as it is about learning to open our eyes and ears. * McCall Hoyle, author of The Thing with Feathers and Meet the Sky *
Gervais (In 27 Days) uses her own experiences of hearing loss to lend authenticity to this novel about a teenage deaf girl starting over at a new school. [...] Gervais adroitly pulls readers into her world--conveying ASL through all caps and spelled-out words--as well as her work navigating the deaf and hearing worlds and her awareness of who she is. * Publishers Weekly *
Gervais deftly renders both the nuanced, everyday realities of life with disability and Maya's fierce pride in her Deafness, delivering a vibrant story that will resonate with Deaf and hearing audiences alike. * Booklist *
This is a great YA contemporary (clean) romance that follows Maya as she navigates a new school and plans for her future. The addition of representation by a Deaf character was really beautifully done. Highly recommend for people looking for a sweet, engaging, and educational romantic read. * YA and Kids Book Central *



Book Information
ISBN 9780310766001
Author Alison Gervais
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Blink
Publisher HarperCollins Focus
Weight(grams) 249g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 139mm * 25mm