The Sound of Letting Go by Stasia Ward Kehoe

The Sound of Letting Go by Stasia Ward Kehoe
Published: February 6, 2014 by Viking Children's
Source: Review copy from the publisher - thank you!

For sixteen years, Daisy has been good. A good daughter, helping out with her autistic younger brother uncomplainingly. A good friend, even when her best friend makes her feel like a third wheel. When her parents announce they’re sending her brother to an institution—without consulting her—Daisy’s furious, and decides the best way to be a good sister is to start being bad. She quits jazz band and orchestra, slacks in school, and falls for bad-boy Dave.

But one person won’t let Daisy forget who she used to be: Irish exchange student and brilliant musician Cal. Does she want the bad boy or the prodigy? Should she side with her parents or protect her brother? How can she know when to hold on and when—and how—to let go? [goodreads]

There's a quiet beauty that slowly emerges through the storytelling of Stasia Ward Kehoe.  It's the kind that will grab your heart, without you even knowing it, tugging it deep and then deeper inside.  For someone who is not experienced with novels in verse, I was a bit hesitant if I'd really connect with this writing style.  Oh what a pleasant and brilliant surprise this reading experience quickly became for me.  Not once did I feel a disconnect, or felt that the story was skimming just across the surface.  The flow of this novel was spot-on and held me captive til the very end.

Daisy has a true talent as a musician, and it's been her escape for as long as she can remember.  All the hours she's put in to rehearsing has paid off and she's on the cuspid of a brilliant future ahead.  But what was once her passion is starting to become muddled in the affairs of her life at home.  Daisy's severely autistic younger brother is growing into a teenager, and what used to be a behavior her mother and father could handle on their own, is quickly spiraling into a dangerous situation for the whole family.

My heart went out to Daisy and her parents.  I could not imagine the difficulty in loving a family member who needs so much care and attention.  The amount of stress put on all their lives was carefully portrayed, so much that I could empathize with their situation.  They want what's best for Steven, but is keeping him at home under their care necessarily best?   As Steven's episodes quickly spiral deeper and deeper, it puts an enormous strain on the family dynamics.  Daisy slips into the shadows and begins spiraling out on her own accord.

She grows closer to a boy who is someone the old, disciplined Daisy would never seek solace in.  However, maybe this is what Daisy needs.  After all, Dave knows just the right things to say, and its his actions that pull her mind away from the chaos at home and into a world of what normal teenagers should be worrying about.  In the back of Daisy's mind she knows how far off her planned path she's detouring, but what difference does it make if no one is noticing. 

The Sound of Letting Go is a heartbreaking interpretation of what it means to accept the changes in our lives, and where those changes may bring us.  I fully connected with the brilliant writing style of Stasia Ward Kehoe, so much that I couldn't tear myself away from the story until I knew Daisy would find her way back again.  For those who wish to experience a novel written in verse, I highly recommend beginning with this one.  It's a gorgeous story, full of emotion and the hard decisions we must face in life.  Under all that beauty is a soft melody that effortlessly delivers a story that contemporary YA fans will devour and adore.

*Did you enjoy this review? Then be sure to visit by my blog on Thursday (2/6/14) for an exclusive author interview + giveaway - all part of the blog tour for THE SOUND OF LETTING GO!