Silhouetted by the Blue

by Traci L. Jones

After the death of her mother, seventh-grader Serena finds herself facing the day-to-day challenges of caring for herself and her younger brother, Henry, all while attempting to lead a normal pre-teen life.

Seventh-grader Serena Shaw is trying to keep up at school while rehearsing for the lead role in the spring musical and dealing with a father so "blue" he is nearly catatonic. With the aid of a not-so-secret admirer, as well as a growing sense of self-confidence, she faces the challenges of caring for herself and her ball-of-charm younger brother―all while attempting to lead the life of a normal pre-teen.

Readers will be drawn into this convincing portrait of a vivacious young person who is on a path to discovering that taking on responsibility sometimes means finding the best way to ask for help.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Teen, Middle Grade, Contemporary, Fiction, Mental Health

208 pages, Hardcover

First published July 19, 2011

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3.5

Father is depressed and suicidal. Serena is in middle school. Mother died in an auto accident 18 mos before the story starts. 6-yr-old Henry needs attention. Lots of responsibility falls on Serena's sturdy shoulders. She does the best she can, but that's not necessarily the best for her father, her brother, or even for herself.

Characters are Afro-American but the issue of race is not central to the story.

Author lives in Denver.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about an Issue (actually, more than one Issue) that really shows how Issues (in this case, a mother's death and a father's downward spiral into depression) affect every aspect of a girl's life (relationships with friends and with her little brother, her role in the school musical) while keeping those aspects realistically relevant. It felt like a real slice of a girl's life at a moment of crisis. I especially appreciated how she didn't react to everything perfectly--she lashed out at her brother sometimes, for example--but had a solid core of strength. I also appreciated that this story could have been anyone's but it happens to be that of an African-American girl. Race is not an Issue in the story and it's always great to find books with African-American protagonists where that's the case.

My one concern is that I wish there had been a bit more of a Message about seeking help instead of trying to soldier on. Her fears about ending up in foster care if her father was institutionalized were valid, but I wish it had been made clear that seeking help would have been the best choice. Not that she would have known to make that choice, as a seventh grader, but that she would have realized afterwards. Still, I'm glad to have such a strong "problem" book to booktalk.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little torn about this one. It's a strong tale, with believable characters. I loved Serena, she is strong and weak at the same time and I think child readers would root for her and be glad they are not her at the same time. Sometimes I think the dialog was reaching too hard to be "on point" but I'd like to know what kids would think - I think the author got it pretty close.

[Susan Dove Lempke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 7th grade girl tries to keep things together at home as her father is incapacitated by depression. The main character has a tart, down-to-earth personality that keeps the book from being gloomy. There's much to like but the ending is a little too tidy.

[Daisy Barragan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serena Shaw is a seventh-grader who already has multiple responsibilities including taking care of her young brother Henery, paying bills, does grocery shopping, and makes sure her dad takes his ani-depressants. Her mother passed away in a car crash 18 months ago and her father's depression keeps getting worse and worse leaving her to provide for the family. Meanwhile that's going on she still has to balance out her school work but still wanting to do for what she loves which is acting and auditions with her friend Candy for the play in The Wiz. This makes it more difficult for her to balance out with classes, home responsibilities, and her brother Henery but Serena gets a little help from her classmate Elijah who helps her with her class assignments and homework. But all this is guarded by ignorance from her family who they think she doesn´t need any help but finally gets help from her uncle but as a result, is too late resulting into more crisis for Serena.

The reason I gave this book 5 stars because I really liked Serena´s character shes mentally and emotionally strong with handling all these tragic events at once. I also like how the author writes the dialogue like if shes venting to you but at the same time going on about her life. I also really like how it dives into the topic of depression and how it can take tole of the family and the effects it has. Yet the author handles it with such care and writes it in a very realistic way. Where you could feel for Serena and what she's going through. I really liked this book because its a really good depiction of a coming of age novel.

[Kiara Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and that's why I rated this book 5 stars. Serena is my favorite character because we relate a lot with the babysitting factor. The thing that made me most driven to her character was basically when her mom died she was sad but she still managed to take care of her little brother and her sick father. I also enjoyed the character Elijah because he helped a load, by doing her homework and by making sure that Serena was okay and she had someone to watch her little brother while she continued to do her best (singing.) I was probably mad at her father the most in this book, one reason is mainly because he felt like he didn't have to do anything and he was the only one hurting and he placed his feelings first and he forgot about his two children. And I guess it runs in the family because uncle Peter is just as bad as his brother is..he swear he tried his hardest but he came at the latest time and the problem was basically fixed by then. Overall I enjoyed this book and everyone who can read basically should read it. (these are the type of books I'm hoping that has a second one.)

[JL Salty · Rating 3 out of 5]

life gets harder and harder for Serena, but because it’s a story, you know it’s going to work out all right.

I appreciated the racially diverse setting for this middle school novel: normal kids struggling through difficult situations. Oh, and the kids have brown and light brown skin. (P. 8)

I would have liked to see a stronger character built in Candy, the sweet friend who also lost her mother. But maybe it was more realistic that this 7th grader, stretched thin, would not have the emotional energy to make a new friend, especially when she was trying to keep the state of her own falling-apart life a secret.

I also appreciated the frank description of symptoms and head-on tackling of the subject of suicide. A hard topic to discuss; this story opens doors for conversation.

[Meredith Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fantastic! I found it relatable because it’s about a young girl who is juggling taking care of her little brother and father after her mother died a year ago, who is also very interested in drama club, like myself. Throughout the book you can see her switching from kid to adult back to kid again and wishing she could just sit around and watch movies like her friends. She even tries to find help from her friends, love interests, and family members so she can relax but she later gives up because she feels like no one is seeing her struggle. It is an absolutely great book, showcases the problems that some people have at home and sheds a light on awareness of others and that you don’t always know what someone is going through.

[Shelby Kardon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is a great fit for seventh grade. The protagonist faces challenges that some students can relate to regarding grief, mental illness, and the responsibilities involved in have a parent who isn't able to fulfill the typical duties and responsibilities of a parent. I felt myself frustrated for the protagonist as I watched the downward spiral of her father battling with the loss of his wife and a major depression. The book touches on mature subjects such as grief, depression, and suicide, but it does so in a manner that is 100% appropriate for middle school readers.

[Savannah Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silhouetted by the Blue is a realistic fiction book about a seventh grade girl named Serena Shaw who has just recently lost her mother in a car crash. Although Serena is handling her mother's death quite well her father is not. Her father has a bad case of "the blue" in other words he is in a deep depression after loosing his wife. Being that the father is very depressed Serena is forced to take care of herself and little brother Henry. All while being the role in the school musical. Will all the pressure be too much?

[Hellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Traci Jones does an excellent job of capturing the devastating aftereffects of losing one parent to a car accident and another to depression. The major character, Serena, is a seventh-grade girl who has been forced to take on adult responsibilities after the death of her mother and her father’s struggle with depression. Both major and minor characters are well drawn and the subject matter is dealt with respectfully.

[Middlebury Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jones perfectly captures the angst of a pre-teen girl in this heart-warming story. I immediately loved and was rooting for Serena, and everyone should have a friend/potential bf/gf like Elijah. There is some sad and serious content here, but there was no point at which I needed to set it down and walk away for awhile the way some “too-sad” reads get to me. The balance of sad and sweet moments is just right. 👏

[Kylie Steenland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silhouetted by the Blue is a good representation of what depression can do to a person and the people you love. It shows how it can be hard to function with bad mental health. It also shows how other people can feel stress or pressure to make sure everything is okay and taken care of. It is important to check up on your loved ones and this book is a great example of that.

[Allison Renner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who struggles with “blue periods” and has been in relationships with depressed people, this book really hit home. It was very well-done and on point, while keeping its finger on the pulse of the underlying issue.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, but it didn't strike me as much as Traci L. Jones's Standing Against the Wind did. I can see this being liked by my middle school girls though. I will start recommending it and see what they think....

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 7th grade students, who begged me every day not to stop. This book took me down an emotional roller coaster. It was written in a way that I felt ever feeling Serena did, even when I couldn't relate. My students, in the area I teach, identified with her more than I imagined.

[Monty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed how the book tackles depression, and is relatable to theater kids everywhere.

[Lisa Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really empathized with the main character. My heart hurt for her and her struggles, but I appreciated her relationships with her brother and her friend.

[squeakers · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and so well done both as a story about middle school and addressing some very serious subjects.

[S.M. Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and heart-warming at the same time! I loved this story and all the characters within. Highly recommend!

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the first book that got me into reading. Definitely a book for young readers. I loved this book a lot and probably one of the best ones I have ever read.

[Vay~(sugar plum fairy princess) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book its relatable!!!

[Ella Vandal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I couldn’t believe this was happening to such a young girl
Who was only thirteen, I would have been scared out of my mind. But I loved the book, especially the ending. I recommend it to anyone looking for an easy read and something new about mental health in families.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silhouetted by the Blue by Traci L. Jones tackles the topic of depression and loss as the main character Serena Shaw tries to hold her family life together after the death of her mom. Serena does a good job of taking care of her younger bother, going to school, staring in the play and more. For me, the characters' ages seemed off. Serena seems much older than 7th grade, her bother seems much younger than grade school. Finally, Serena's relationship with her friend Elijah also seems too mature for 12/13 year olds.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serena's mother died more than a year ago, but things are still tough, especially with Serena's father still feeling blue. Serena's got a lot of responsibility put on her now having to take care of herself, the house and her younger brother. Now she's got the lead in the school play she wanted. But she doesn't know how she'll manage everything and keep up with school work and practice for the play.

Serena needs help, but doesn't know who she can turn to.

I read this because in 2013 I read another book by this author called Finding My Place. I really enjoyed that book and decided to read another by this author. I liked this one, but not as much as Finding My Place.

What I really liked about this book was Serena. She was a good character. She was strong and stepped up because there was no one else to do it. But, she had her weakness too. She missed her mom and felt that too much for her to handle it all by herself. I felt she didn't get enough time to properly grieve for her mother.

I also wish a friendship would have developed between Serena and Candy since Candy understood what Serena was going through. But, that was never really explored. Candy really only appeared at the beginning of the book. I think she would have been a great friend to Serena. The two friends that Serena had weren't all that great and seemed mainly to just worry about themselves.

The story was good though and there were a few times I came close to crying. I really felt for Serena. The book explored the themes of death, depression and feeling alone. While it was a bit simple, I think the author did a good job with these themes and I think that people will be able to relate to Serena.

[Katrina Burchett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serena Shaw is a seventh grader. It's been over a year since her mother died and her dad is suffering from depression or - as she calls it - the blue. She'd like to spend time with friends and focus on her lead role in the school play, but most of her time is spent taking care of her little brother and her dad (as best she can). She makes meals for the family, and she does the grocery shopping and the laundry. All she wants to do is live her life under normal circumstances and go for her dreams. Will help ever come?

What Serena went through because she was missing her mother, I felt her pain. I also felt for her because she was a young girl with adult responsibilities. (Unfortunately, that made this realistic fiction). A girl her age shouldn't be so stressed. I was, however, a bit bothered by her attitude toward her dad because he was clinically depressed. And her uncle could have responded differently when Serena first contacted him. I felt bad for Serena's dad. Depression is a serious illness and it's not something a person can just `get over', but, as Jones clearly shows, there are times when it's not taken seriously.

Kat was a good friend to Serena. Elijah was a much better friend. Nikka wasn't much of a friend at all.

This was a good read and it didn't take long to finish. The story made me feel bothered and sad at times, but there were also parts that made me smile. Jones created believable characters (I liked little Henry best) and the physical effects of the depression Serena's dad suffered was very well-written. I wasn't sure what Elijah was saying at times, though, since I don't speak Spanish.

[Imani ♥ ☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I thought that this book was pretty cute. Pretty being the operative word. After reading Jones' other novel, Finding My Place, I thought that I was done with trying to read her work. I'm not saying that this was a very excellent book or anything, because it wasn't. It was just a nice, short read that kept my interest until the end. Although, if I am to be honest, the ending kind of sucked.

This is the story of a seventh grader named Serena.(Her age kind of threw me off, but whatever. Because, lets be honest the girl on the cover definitely doesn't look twelve). Her mother died a year ago on a business trip. Now, her, her brother and father are left to fend for themselves. Serena finds that she has to care for the family alone. Her father, who is often very depressed, is no help because all he does is stay in bed. So Serena has to take care of her little brother. She also has to balance school, being lead in the school play, her friendships and her "love life"(a.k.a her friend Elijah).

The cutest thing about this book was all the little phrases Elijah would say to Serena(Serena can't really speak or understand Spanish so he is ultimately talking over her head). I understood them and they were so cute.

Other than that, the fact that the author didn't tread on Serena's father's depression lightly, was a plus. Many child authors tiptoe around stuff like that, thinking that it is too much of a mature topic. I applaud Jones for doing the opposite.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it wasn't my ultimate favorite. I read it for the MO Truman Awards I probably would not have picked it up otherwise. This will be a good book for my MS students since it is a modern story and unfortunately a few of my students can relate to the frustration she is feeling when everything starts falling apart. As I was reading, I wished I could reach inside the book to help her. I wanted to yell at her dad to snap out of it and be there for his kids...they needed him. I am glad she found a true friend, Elijah, who helped her many times through the trials keeping track of her younger brother, helping with the play, and giving her the Spanish notes to copy. I am glad the book ended the way I thought it would except I was a worried it wouldn't a few times.

I thought this was the best quote from the book --> Her mom's last words to her "Take care of my boys, baby girl. Take care of them till I get home." This quote made me think that none of us are guaranteed our tomorrows...we need to cherish our family while we have them.

I thought it was funny when Myron was talking to his mother on the phone and whining about his lunch. I have know people like this who whine about everything. I like the reactions of the school secretary and Serena. They had a good laugh after he left the office.

Overall a good book and I think I will look for her other books when I am finished with the award books.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply told but profoundly touching tale of a girl (7th grade) who is trying to hold her family together after her mom's death & her dad's fall into severe depression. Serena just wants a normal world, but instead she has to take care of her little brother & maintain her household, cooking, cleaning, laundry & all of it. When she gets cast as the star of the school play it all becomes too much, especially as Dad gets worse, not better. He spends weeks wearing the same pajamas & not showering or eating. He cries & sleeps all the time. Serena has to force him to drive them to the bank so they can get groceries. Serena calls to family for help, but her grandma has alzheimers & her uncle is away on business in another country. When dad starts giving away his prized posessions, Serena gets to a whole new level of scared.

This book about broke my heart, but it also had hope, and Serena's strength was amazing, even as her very human hurt and anger came with it. I don't think I'll ever forget this book.

I recommend it for middle school students because some of the scenes with the dad become painfully dire, and would probably not be a good choice for most elementary students, but could be cathartic for some mature readers.