The Whispers

Eleven-year-old Riley resorts to extreme measures to find his mother after she disappears, believing he is "suspect number one" in a case that hasn't moved forward in months, the details of which he can't fully recall. He always thought his mother's favorite story, "The Whispers," about magical woodland creatures that can grant wishes, was straight fiction until one night he hears them call "She's here." To find his mother, Riley seeks to recreate the tale, embarking on a camping trip with an endearingly motley cast of friends to enlist the fantasy forces. A running use of vocabulary words that grew out of a game Riley and his mom played both advances the plot and offers nuance to Riley's emotions. Howard effectively layers Riley's character and "conditions" (he has been wetting the bed since his mother disappeared, and his attraction to boys is at odds with his evangelical Christian upbringing), offering clues about his mother's fate that readers will piece together before he does. This touching, often wry novel offers a memorable psychological puzzle and explores grief and acceptance. Ages 10-up.

Copyright 2018 Publisher’s Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 5-8-Before disappearing four months ago, every night, 11-year-old Riley's mom told him the story of the Whispers, magical creatures who live in the nearby woods. In exchange for a tribute, the Whispers will grant your heart's desire, and there is nothing Riley's heart wants more than for his mother to be found. The investigation is at a standstill, and his family seems to have given up. His father rarely speaks, and Riley feels he's somehow to blame. His guilt is compounded by his anxiety over what he calls his "condition." He thinks about kissing boys and has a major crush on his neighbor Dylan. Riley wavers between self-assurance and shame over his attractions. His internal struggle and the search for his mother come to a head when he rushes into the woods to bargain with the Whispers. The final chapters leave the whimsy behind as Riley is revealed to be an unreliable narrator. His unresolved feelings about his identity are sensitively handled at the touching conclusion; however, it is troubling he continually refers to being gay as a "condition," which implies an illness or deficiency. VERDICT Despite a few missteps, this realistic middle grade novel's exploration of the stories people tell to protect themselves, and the courage it takes to see through them, is ultimately uplifting.

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for The Whispers
A 2022 Garden State Book Award Nominee
A 2020 Wisconsin State Just One More Page List Pick

"This taut, moving tale delves beyond loss into issues of sexuality, conformity and self-acceptance...a masterful exploration into the power of storytelling but also its dangers, including self-denial and escapism." —The New York Times Book Review

"With sensitivity and skill, Howard handles themes of sexual identity, self-worth, loss and friendship." —The Washington Post

Howard's personal story helps create a fictional narrative both realistic and relevant, while also calling on the fantastical magic of the imagination.... A tale of family, friendship and loss, filled with magic and heart. —Associated Press

A dreamy novel recalling Bridge to Terabithia. —Entertainment Weekly

A heartbreaking, beguiling debut... This poignant journey through the badlands of grief is crammed with tenderness, wit and warmth. —The Guardian

★ This is a story of a boy coming to grips with heartbreak and trying to understand why he is the way he is, who must learn to discern what is real, and who discovers redemption. —School Library Connection, starred review