A Sudden Silence

Eve Bunting

Apr 2007 · Sold by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

About this eBook

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

Ratings and reviews

"What If" Bry and Jesse had taken the proper way home after the party? "What If" they'd only have stayed on the correct side of the road until they reached the underpass? Instead, Bry sees a clearing in the traffic near their development and runs across the road. Shortly after that, a speeding car comes from behind, catching them unawares. Jesse yells out to Bry to get out the way. But Bry is deaf and never heard the warning, nor probably ever knew the car hit him. Until it was too late. Jesse is full of regrets from the moment he darted out of the way without grabbing his brother and pulling him to safety. But no one has blamed Jesse that it was his fault. Instead, Jesse is determined to do everything he can to find the driver who so carelessly hit Bry and then drove off into the night without helping. A SUDDEN SILENCE has been reissued after twenty years. The story is still as relevant today as it was in 1988 when it was first published. Ms. Bunting writes a sad story of one brother's quest to find justice for his younger brother who was killed too soon. Jesse is a normal teenager who has to deal with survivor's guilt, as well as the not-knowing of who killed his brother. With the help of Bry's friend, Chloe, Jesse puts the pieces together to help the police solve the crime. In the end, though, Ms. Bunting makes the reader realize that the conclusions we come to may not make it any easier for everyone involved. This story is a must-read for teens thinking about drinking and driving. Many fail to realize that the dangers may not always be to the drunk driver, but instead to the innocent people who had nothing to do with the alcohol.

About the author

Eve Bunting has written over two hundred books for children, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz, The Wall, Fly Away Home, and Train to Somewhere. She lives in Southern California.