Other editions of book 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

Jesse Harmon will never forget the night his sixteen-year-old younger brother, Bry, was killed by a drunk hit-and-run driver. Jesse himself jumped to safety and, if he had been quicker, maybe he could have saved his brother too. Tortured by guilt, a guilt made worse by his growing love for Chloe, Bry's girl, Jesse begins a search for the murderer... with shocking and unexpected results.

"Will capture teens with its brisk pacing and crisply sketched characters."BOOKLISTJesse Harmon remembers the car speeding toward his brother Bry and himself in the night. He remembers screaming to his brother to get out of the way. But his brother was deaf and couldn't hear Jesse shout. The driver killed his brother and sped away. Now Jesse is filled with grief and guilt. And he and Bry's girlfriend Chloe, are determined to find the hit-and-run driver. But as they search, they begin to fall in love. Feeling even more guilty, Jesse is anxious to put his guilt and the senselessness of Bry's death to rest. But he doesn't count on the new problems finding the driver will bring....