Cicada Summer

Lily has not spoken since the day her sister died. She spends her summer days hiding in trees, watching the world go by in her small Illinois town, and trying to stay invisible. When a new girl named Tinny arrives from the city, strange things begin happening around town. Lily notices items going missing and reappearing, and she starts to witness events that don't quite add up. As the summer progresses, both girls become caught up in uncovering the truth behind a decades-old mystery in their community. Their investigation forces Lily to confront her own secrets and decide whether to remain silent or find her voice again. This middle-grade novel explores grief, friendship, and the courage required to face difficult truths. The story demonstrates how healing can come through unexpected connections and the power of breaking free from self-imposed isolation.

Readers describe this middle-grade mystery as emotionally resonant while remaining accessible for young readers. Many note the authentic portrayal of grief and trauma through the protagonist's selective mutism. Readers appreciated: - The careful handling of heavy themes - Short chapters that maintain momentum - The small-town summer atmosphere - Integration of ASL and communication challenges Common criticisms: - Some found the mystery element predictable - A few readers wanted more character development - The pacing felt slow to some in the middle sections Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (50+ reviews) Scholastic: 4/5 Reader quote: "The protagonist's journey through trauma and healing resonated with my students who face their own challenges." - School librarian on Goodreads Several teachers note using it successfully in 4th-6th grade classrooms, particularly for discussions about empathy and communication.

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🦋 Andrea Beaty was inspired to write this mystery novel after hearing stories about art forgeries and thinking about how children process grief and trauma. 🌟 The main character Lily's selective mutism is based on real psychological conditions where people become unable to speak in certain situations, often due to anxiety or past trauma. 🐞 The book's Illinois setting draws from Beaty's own experiences growing up in southern Illinois, where she spent summers exploring nature and developing her love for science. 🎨 Art forgery, a central theme in the book, causes losses of approximately $6 billion annually in the fine art market worldwide. 🌿 Cicadas, which give the book its title, can spend up to 17 years underground before emerging as adults - symbolically paralleling Lily's own journey of emerging from her silence.