Words Apart
Words Apart by Aimee Lucido, published by HarperCollins Publishers on October 7, 2025, is a 400-page exploration of the unique bond between two sisters, Olive and Mattie. Olive thinks in words, expressing herself through poetry and puzzles, while Mattie prefers to communicate through pictures and cartoons. Their relationship faces challenges as their family dynamics shift, particularly after their father moves away and Olive begins to navigate her first crush.
This story thoughtfully examines themes such as learning disabilities, family life, and the complexities of growing up. As the sisters grapple with their changing relationship, readers will find a narrative that intertwines words and comic panels, capturing the joys and struggles of sisterhood. The book invites readers to reflect on how love evolves amidst personal growth and changing circumstances, making it a relatable read for those interested in stories about family and friendship.
Official synopsis 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 REVIEWS
Beautifully 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 heart
- Graphic hybrids with emotion and humor
- Stories about sisters, divorce, and changing families
- Wordplay, poetry, and made-up definitions
- Neurodiverse representation
- Fans 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
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