The Loud Silence of Francine Green

Beloved author Karen Cushman follows a young woman’s progress toward her true self, this time exploring the nature of friendship and the experience of growing up Catholic in an era that is both fascinating and relevant to today’s young people.

Francine Green doesn’t speak up much, and who can blame her? Her parents aren’t interested in her opinions, the nuns at school punish girls who ask too many questions, and the House Committee on Un-American Activities is blacklisting people who express unpopular ideas. There’s safety in silence. Francine would rather lose herself in a book, or in daydreams about her favorite Hollywood stars, than risk attracting attention or getting in trouble.

But when outspoken, passionate Sophie Bowman transfers into Francine’s class at All Saints School for Girls, Francine finds herself thinking about things that never concerned her before—free speech, the atom bomb, the existence of God, the way people treat each other. Eventually, Francine discovers that she not only has something to say, she is absolutely determined to say it.

Unlikely Friendship: Quiet, rule-following Francine is content to be invisible until the outspoken and fearless Sophie Bowman arrives, questioning everything from school rules to the existence of God. 1950s Historical Fiction: A richly detailed look at post-war Los Angeles, where Hollywood glamour mixes with the chilling paranoia of the Hollywood Blacklist and the ever-present fear of the atomic bomb. Freedom of Speech: As government committees blacklist citizens for their beliefs, Francine must decide if the safety of silence is worth the price of her own convictions. Social Justice for Young Readers: A thought-provoking story that explores timeless questions of justice, censorship, and the courage it takes to stand up to bullies—whether they’re on the playground or in the government.