The Song of Us

Kate Fussner (she/her) is a novelist, teacher, and accidental poet living in Massachusetts with her wife and dramatic dog. When not reading or writing, Kate can be found spending time with her family, baking, or singing her favorite musicals. Kate believes in the power of a good laugh and a good cry, and hopes her stories will provide readers with both.

"Immediate-feeling verse traces painful self-discovery and heady first love in Fussner's debut, a queer retelling of "Orpheus and Eurydice." Snappy verse embodies the girls' achingly real alternating voices while thoughtfully considering topics such as coming out, mental health, parental abuse, and peer pressure. Hand this yearning-tinged slice-of-life romance to fans of Ashley Herring Blake and K.A. Holt." - Publishers Weekly

"This novel-in-verse retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice is so much more than a middle grade love story. Deep themes, such as depression, parental abandonment, and learning to define your true self are beautifully and honestly explored. This is a heady romance, a spectacular crash, and honest dialogue about doing things you don't really want to because you crave the acceptance of a group. VERDICT This is a sad story, a hard story, an edgy story, but also a hopeful and important one that deserves a spot on the shelves of middle grade readers." - School Library Journal

In this gorgeous tale, Fussner delivers what feels like...a song. Of us. Of anyone who has ever been in love. Or anyone transformed by it. An impressive debut! - Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A tender book about first crushes, peer pressure, and parental problems in middle school. Written in glorious verse, The Song of Us is an ode to love-love that defies expectations, overcomes disappointment, and transcends grief, love that springs in our hearts like song. - Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White and Whole

"A stunning song of first love, heartache, and the freedom of knowing yourself. Eden and Olivia will linger in my heart." - Lambda literary award winning author Rebecca Podos