The Loudest Silence

Two disabled queer teens find belonging in this poignant platonic love story about singing, signing, and solidarity.

Casey Kowalski once dreamed of becoming a professional singer. Then the universe threw her a life-altering curveball—sudden, permanent, and profound hearing loss—just before her family’s move from Portland to Miami. Now, she’s learning to navigate the world as a Deaf-Hard of Hearing person while trying to conceal her hearing loss from her new schoolmates. 

Hayden González-Rossi is also keeping secrets. Three generations of González men have risen to stardom on the soccer field, and Hayden knows his family expects him to follow in their footsteps, but he wants to quit soccer and pursue a career on Broadway. If only his Generalized Anxiety Disorder didn’t send him into a debilitating spiral over the thought of telling the truth.

Casey and Hayden are both determined to hide who they really are. But when they cross paths at school, they bond over their shared love of music and their mutual feeling that they don’t belong, and the secrets come spilling out. Their friendship is the beating heart of this dual-perspective story featuring thoughtful disability representation, nuanced queer identities, and a lovably quirky supporting cast.

Sydney Langford (they/them) is a queer, Deaf–Hard of Hearing, and physically disabled author living in Portland, Oregon. When not singing musical theater songs or playing with their dogs, they are passionate about writing stories that celebrate inclusivity and the diverse experiences of queer and disabled teens. The Loudest Silence is their debut novel. 

"A wholesome ode to devoted friendship."—Kirkus Reviews

“An important addition to YA collections, to be enjoyed by any readers who like coming-of-age books and especially those who are looking for relatable stories about queer, aro-ace, or disabled teens.” —Publishers Weekly

"Hilarious and heartfelt, Langford has crafted a story that will mean so much to so many readers. A story of friendship and loss that will tear your heart to pieces before stitching it back together. A stunning debut from a much-needed voice." —Mason Deaver, author of Okay, Cupid

"Comforting, authentic, and at times laugh out loud funny, The Loudest Silence deals with facing your fears and finding your people through music and language. Langford handles themes of friendship, acceptance, and grief with a deft hand, delivering both a poignant look into the Deaf experience and a compelling depiction of platonic love. The distinct voices of this dual-POV debut make for a heartwarming read—one that is not to be missed by fans of contemporary YA." —Kelly Andrew, author of The Whispering Dark
 
"Witty and full of heart, The Loudest Silence is a genuine portrayal of what it's like to become disabled at the same time you're trying to find your way in the world. Langford approaches the narrative and their characters with an abundance of empathy that is present in every page. A lovely debut." —Lillie Lainoff, author of One For All
 
"Exploring expression through language and song, The Loudest Silence will make your heart sing. Sydney Langford crafts a delightfully captivating story that doesn’t shy away from the realities of grief and change." —Anna Sortino, author of Give Me a Sign

"A witty and nuanced debut! The Loudest Silence is an extraordinarily crafted love song to language, grief, vulnerability, and finding community. With a captivating voice and poignant storytelling, Sydney Langford is destined to become a new favorite for many readers."
—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You
 
"In Sydney Langford's The Loudest Silence, prepare to embark on a heart-warming journey through the power of found family, queerplatonic love, and the magic of music. Through moments of laughter, tears, and deep connection, Langford crafts a story that resonates long after the final page. Heartfelt and hilarious, this book is sure to strike a chord with readers." —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials.