The Song of Us

By: Kate Fussner

Narrated by: Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Ariana Delawari

This stunning debut and wholly original queer middle grade novel-in-verse retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice adds a new chorus to the songs of great love, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home and Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World.

Love at first sight isn’t a myth. For seventh graders Olivia and Eden, it’s fate. Olivia is a capital-P Poet, and Eden thinks she wants to be a musician one day, but for now she’s just the new girl. And then Eden shows up to Poetry Club and everything changes.

Eden isn’t out, and she has rules for dating Olivia: Don’t call. Don’t tell her friends. And don’t let anyone know they’re together.

But when jealousy creeps in, it’s Olivia’s words that push Eden away. While Eden sets out to find herself, Olivia begins a journey to bring Eden back—using poetry. Both Olivia and Eden will learn just how powerful their words can be to bring them together . . . or tear them apart forever.

* 2024 Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels List – NCTE Children’s Poetry Award Committee * Massachusetts Book Award Longlist Middle Grade/Young Adult * Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year 2024 *

Beautifully written

I absolutely loved this book. It is so well written, with so many quotable moments I want to frame and put on my wall! I found myself tearing up, saying “awwww” out loud, or saying “DAMN that was a good line” more times than I can count. The characters are so lovely and relatable - I felt like I was in middle school again. Young, queer love, navigating the realities of social life and family issues… it is a fantastic listen/read. The voice acting was perfect.

PS - I am friends with the author, who is a FANTASTIC person, and could hear her voice in every line. Kate, this is a triumph.