Words Apart
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025 · Est. 3 hour read

Words Apart

By Aimee Lucido, Phillippa Corcutt (Illustrator), Rachael Corcutt (Illustrator)

Sisters divided by words and pictures must bridge their differences as family secrets unravel.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 127 ratings
400 pages· 21,767 words· Est. 3 hour read
$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Olive loves words; Mattie sees the world in pictures. As their family fractures, these sisters face a changing dynamic. With their dad acting suspiciously and friendships shifting, can they find a way to reconnect? In a tale woven with poetry and art, Olive and Mattie must navigate the complexities of love and change. Will they discover a new language of sisterhood, or will their bond be lost forever? This heartfelt story explores the challenges of growing up and the power of understanding beyond words.

From the publisher

Olive thinks in words. Mattie thinks in pictures. Can they find a way to speak the same language?”Thoughtfully exploring learning disabilities, divorce, crushes, and the struggle to fit in, this inviting, cleverly constructed story with richly multifaceted characters poignantly captures the difficulties and joys of sisterhood.” - BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW”A feast for lovers of words and comics alike that tackles real-life challenges.” - KIRKUS REVIEWSBeautifully told in words and comic panels, Mattie and Olive’s story will stay with you.Olive collects words. Rare words, common words, fancy words, funny words. She expresses herself by writing poetry, making crossword puzzles, and creating dictionary definitions for what she refers to as “neologisms.”Her sister, Mattie, could not be more different. Mattie struggles with words and so instead prefers pictures, expressing herself through cartoons and sketches.Despite their differences, the two girls are inseparable. Or at least, they were. After their dad moves away and Olive develops her first crush, the sisters’ dynamic changes. Olive wants to spend more time with people who aren’t related to her, but Mattie doesn’t want anything to change. When their dad starts acting suspiciously and Mattie’s grades begin to fall, the sisters’ relationship fractures. Olive and Mattie must discover that love isn’t always how we envision it.Aimee Lucido’s latest novel in verse is a heartfelt and inventive story of what happens when the people we love change–and we do, too.Perfect for fans of: Verse novels with voice and heartGraphic hybrids with emotion and humorStories about sisters, divorce, and changing familiesWordplay, poetry, and made-up definitionsNeurodiverse representationFans of Click, Sisters, and El Deafo”Poetry, word play, and comics intertwine in surprising ways throughout this moving story of family and friendship.” - Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of Invisible Emmie and Positively Izzy”This book will expand your heart as much as it will your vocabulary. It’s a beautiful reminder that family comes in all form(at)s. Simply stupendous!” - Kate O’Shaughnessy, Newbery Honor Award-winning author of The Wrong Way Home”A masterclass in the verse-novel, as well as a joyride for logophiles young and old.” - Lindsay Lackey, author of the award-winning All the Impossible Things

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
400
Words
21,767
Reading age
8–12
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
~580L
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
3.8
F&P level
~O
AR points
3
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
556360
Publication
Published
October 7, 2025
First published
September 23, 2025
Publisher
Versify
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780358659587

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