The Anxious Exile of Sara Salt - by Gabrielle Prendergast (Paperback)

About the Book

In this middle-grade novel told in letters, when Sara Salt's little brother is born early, her mom and stepdad send her to stay in Toronto with her half-sister Abby, who is starting a transitional housing park for unhoused people

Book Synopsis

★ "A meaningful, heartwarming read...perfect for an early middle grade reading level and great for the classroom. Prendergast explores powerful themes in a way that is hopeful and shows kids they too can make a difference. A must-purchase for exploration of advocacy for kiddos with sensitive souls." -- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

Sara isn't great with strangers: she has selective mutism, so being in a new place isn't always easy.

Sara's little brother is born premature. He looks small and red, like a baby bird, so she calls him Birdy. Because she can't visit him often, she writes him letters about everything that's happened since he's been born--like how her mom and stepdad are sending her to Toronto to stay with her half-sister, Abby. And how Abby lives in this amazing storage container house on a vacant lot and hopes to build a whole community of them for unhoused people. Sara discovers she too has ways of getting things done--like passing the librarian a note asking for books instead of saying it out loud, or talking to the dogs at the homeless encampment as a way of meeting their people. When she sees that the mayor and the police are making things harder for the unhoused community, Sara realizes she can be an advocate--through her letters--and that there's more than one way to stand up for what you believe in and make your voice heard.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

From the Back Cover

Speaking up doesn't have to mean using your voice When Sara's little brother is born prematurely and has to stay in the hospital, Sara starts writing him letters. She tells him how her mom and stepdad are sending her to Toronto to stay with her half-sister, Abby. Sara has anxiety and selective mutism, so she has trouble talking to strangers. Luckily, Abby understands. Abby lives in a storage-container house on a vacant lot and hopes to build a whole community of them for unhoused people. When Sara sees that the mayor and the police are making things harder for people who need homes, she realizes she can be an advocate--through her letters--and that there's more than one way to speak up for what you believe in.

Review Quotes

"Fast-paced and difficult to put down. By the end of the novel, readers will be rooting for all of the characters and asking themselves what they can do to help. The Anxious Exile of Sara Salt is a touching story, well-written and a must-read! Highly Recommended."

-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"This charming and engaging book has much to teach readers about anxiety disorders, homelessness, and family, but Sara's narrative voice never feels didactic. Most of the lessons are cleverly worked into the story...which makes the educational moments feel authentic. Many readers will relate to Sara, whether they share the same experiences or they just struggle to make themselves heard. A sweet, touching story of young girl forging connections and coming into her own."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

★ "A meaningful, heartwarming read exploring different types of families, housing insecurity, selective mutism, postpartum depression, and the power of creative problem-solving in quiet advocacy. A fast-paced, accessible read perfect for an early middle grade reading level and great for the classroom. Kids with big feelings and compassion will related to Sara's experiences. Prendergast explores powerful themes in a way that is hopeful and shows kids they too can make a difference. A must-purchase for exploration of advocacy for kiddos with sensitive souls, and a great choice for group reading. Pair this with The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan."-- "School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review"

"The novel showcases how Sara develops her own voice in her own way and uses it to make a difference. Reminiscent of Ann Braden's The Benefits of Being an Octopus (2018) and Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer's To Night Owl from Dogfish (2019), this book is a perfectly paced, heartwarming choice for middle-grade readers drawn to stories of activism."

-- "Booklist"

About the Author

Gabrielle Prendergast is the bestselling author of numerous books for children and teens. After jobs in the music industry, social welfare and the film industry, Gabrielle began writing books when she became a mother, so she could work from home. Her books have received nominations for the White Pine Award, the Canadian Library Association Award, the Vancouver Book Prize and several other honors. She won the Sheila A. Egoff prize for her YA sci-fi novel Zero Repeat Forever and the Westchester Award for her YA novel in verse, Audacious. Born in the UK and both an Australian and New Zealand citizen, Gabrielle now lives in East Vancouver, British Columbia, in a permanent state of "under construction."