We Are the Song

Praise

“Bakewell’s beguiling debut—brimming with high-stakes adventure, expansive worldbuilding, and a uniquely detailed magical system—steadily crescendos to a gratifying conclusion.”—Publishers Weekly

“Elissa’s desire to follow her divinely inspired abilities and overcome the barriers to her musical ambitions echo women’s historical experiences in classical music. . . . And constellations of race, sexuality, and gender expression lend richness to an already unique world.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“This fast-paced fantasy is full of action and intrigue, taking place in a war-torn world that still holds much beauty and magic. Readers will come to love Elissa, who struggles with doubts as she faces heartbreak, tragedy, and loneliness and tries to fight for what is right. An excellent addition to middle-grade fantasy collections.”—Booklist

“Bakewell crafts a spellbinding narrative.”—The Horn Book

“An alluring f­antasy exploring the influence of music, the ­importance of listening to one’s own voice, and knowing who your friends are.”—School Library Journal

“Fantasy fans will queue up for this delightful novel with its strong female characters and carefully drawn fantasy world. . . . Fast packed action will keep readers totally engaged. This captivating novel promises a good future for this first-time author.”—School Library Connection

“An exploration of devotion and finding one’s voice.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Brimming with elegant writing and striking magic, We Are the Song will captivate readers with its thoughtful portrayal of the healing power of grace. Simply poetic.”—Juliana Brandt, author of The Wolf of Cape Fen
 
“An enchanting, beautifully written book that teaches readers how to find their own voice even in times of despair. Magically woven together, with worldbuilding that sings on the page, it hits all the right notes and ends in a page-turning crescendo.”—Mindy Thompson, author of The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams
 
“The language of music absolutely suffuses the book, from its structure to the names of people and places to the way characters perceive their world. But ultimately, this poignant and lyrical story is about recognizing the power in our own voices, and understanding that if we use that power wisely, each of us has the capacity to help bring peace to a broken world.”—Kate Albus, author of A Place to Hang the Moon
 
“Elissa is the kind of main character one can’t help but root for: generous, empathetic, and determined to do what is right. This story reads like a song itself, a well-balanced harmony of heart and hope; a testament to the healing power of music and of the peace we can usher into the world when we all work together in love.”—Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between