Regrettably, I can’t say anything nice about Weird Sad and Silent. The writing is extremely patronizing and the main character acts much younger than a ten-year-old.

This was an emotionally heavy read, featuring a main character who sees herself as invisible except when she is being bullied or with a few select people. Even if one cannot relate to her exact situation, I feel like most middle grade readers could relate to the sentiments depicted in the story. Even with as emotionally heavy as this story is, there is focus on hopes for the future, which I found particularly heartening.

This was a great book about bullying, trauma, friendship, and trust. Daisy has had to deal with mom’s ex-boyfriend and is now being called names at school and so she counts to calm herself. When new student, Austin, starts at her school he helps her deal with the bullying, and the two become friends. Daisy is also trying to befriend a feral cat and over time he slowly begins to trust her.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the book as it had topics of friendship, resilience, and supportive adults for the main character. Overall I think the book has great themes and the character was supported by showing how the main character acts and thinks in a digestible manner for a children’s fiction book.

I got approved for an eARC, thank you NetGalley!

I normally love to recommend this kind of book to my students, but I cannot see myself recommending this.

There are some beautiful themes in here, like resilience and friendship, but the path to getting there just...didn't have any plot? I understand the author wanted to get to CXI for chapter numbers, but the chapter cuts felt pointless and distracted from what little plot was in the novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rocky Pond Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Alison McGhee’s Weird Sad and Silent is a stunning middle-grade novel that centers on Daisy, a quiet, introspective girl whose journey of self-discovery is both heartwarming and empowering.

The novel beautifully explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the quiet power that can exist within us all. Daisy’s path to recognizing her inner strength is deeply moving, especially as she learns to stand up to bullies and confront the past trauma in her life. McGhee’s writing is poetic yet accessible, weaving emotion and hope into every page.

What sets this book apart is how it reassures readers that even if they feel “weird, sad, or silent,” they still matter—and they have the power to make a difference. Daisy’s growth is a reminder that being different isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength.

The friendships Daisy builds and the moments of triumph she experiences will inspire young readers to believe in themselves. McGhee captures the vulnerability and courage of childhood with such tenderness that adults will likely feel the book’s impact just as much.

Weird Sad and Silent is a must-read for middle-grade audiences. Every ten-year-old deserves to discover their own version of Daisy’s power. The ability to choose kindness is something we all need in our lives.