The award-winning author of The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle has created another bighearted novel about the special friendship between two children—one with autism who doesn’t speak, and the other who talks a lot—and what happens when one of them goes missing.
Eleven-year-old Aurora Petrequin’s best friend has never spoken a word to her. In fact, Frenchie Livernois doesn’t talk.
Aurora is bouncy, loud, and impulsive—a big old blurter. Making friends has never come easy to her. When Frenchie, who is autistic, silently chose Aurora as his person back in third grade, she was all in. In fact, she chose him back. They make a good team, sharing their love of the natural world in coastal Maine.
In the woods, Aurora and Frenchie encounter a piebald deer, a rare creature with a coat like a patchwork quilt. The piebald is alluring and mysterious. Whenever it appears, Aurora feels compelled to follow.
At school, Aurora looks out for Frenchie, who has been her classmate until this year. One morning, Frenchie doesn’t make it to his classroom. Aurora feels she’s to blame. The entire town begins to search, and everyone wonders: How is it possible that nobody has seen Frenchie?
Map. Author’s note.
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Gr 5-7-"He doesn't answer. He never does. Not with words." This description aptly introduces readers to the life and personality of Nathan "Frenchie" Livernois, who does not speak and is autistic. Aurora (the narrator) is one person who truly understands Frenchie and his emotions. Aurora also navigates her own anxiety, from her strong dislike of itchy shirt tags to her constant struggle not to blurt out her first impression of someone or something. Together, Aurora and Frenchie enjoy riding the bus, looking at birds, and running 100-yard dash races at recess. When the two learn they will be in different classes for sixth grade, Aurora is nervous for Frenchie. Within the first few days of school, Aurora makes two new friends, which changes everything. One day, Aurora misses the school bus pick-up in the morning and Frenchie disappears. With masterful skill, Connor shifts this part of the story from Aurora's narration to incorporate a variety of townspeople who have been impacted by Frenchie. Together, they form a search party to find him. This plot transition makes the book truly unique and shows how one person can make such a difference to strangers, near and far, without saying a single word. VERDICT Exploring the challenges of preteen life, neurodiversity, and the daily impacts people have on each other, this book will keep readers hooked until the end. Connor uses Frenchie's and Aurora's neurodivergent characteristics to build both suspense and compassion in a highly engaging and recommendable read.-Tracey Hodges