The Anxious Exile of Sara Salt

by Gabrielle Prendergast

“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.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Mental Health, Canada, Contemporary, Activism, Disability

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this entire book consisted of letters that Sara wrote to her newborn brother while he was in NICU! She wrote them with the intention of having him read them later when he was old enough.
Sara is a ten-year-old girl who has to deal daily with the difficulties of her selective mutism. Actually, it’s less of a problem for her than it is for other people. Like teachers, who don’t think she can read well because she doesn’t read aloud. (They don’t have any idea how fast she reads to herself, every day!)
When her brother is born very prematurely, Sara is sent to live with her grown half-sister Abby, so her parents can be with him during his prolonged stay in the NICU. The letters she writes to him are filled with details about Abby’s advocacy for the homeless, and about new friends she’s making that don’t mind her frequent silences. As the book progresses, Sara discovers that sometimes it’s impossible NOT to use your voice to speak up for others…

[Annalise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores so many themes; all of which I think the author did a great job diving into: familial connections, finding oneself, etc. I honestly think this book could be for a middle or high schooler alike: lol I'm finishing up 9th grade and loved it!

○♡ SUMMARY ♡○
Sara struggles a lot with communication and talking to others, being a girl who has selective mutism. So when her brother Oliver, aka Birdy, is born prematurely, she starts writing letters to him to clear her of her anxiety. It helps, though, when Sara travels to Toronto for the summer to live with her stepsister Abby, in her "pod park!" Basically, Abby is an architect and has been trying her hardest to build a whole residency full of shipping containers or "pods" for the homeless or unhoused people of Toronto to live in. The authorities don't think so highly of Abby's idea though, so much so that Sara starts writing letters to the mayor asking for approval. All it takes is a little bit of compromising, people getting to know each other, and growing in your own skin to have a better summer, and new little brother by the end!

○♡ OPINIONS ♡○
Like I said, I was rather a fan of this book! I've never read a middle grade written completely through letters, and in doing that, I think it almost makes it easier for younger kids to understand the messages being conveyed. With short, light chapters and characters who have some serious determination, anyone personally could enjoy this. I think the author had really great execution on all of the various themes. I liked seeing Sara and Abby's plan come together, and omg when she started talking to all the homeless people and getting to know them better, I thought that was so sweet! ☺️ That's something the world needs more of nowadays, helping the lower class rather than ignoring them. We only have one planet! I loved seeing Sara grow in finding herself and gain more confidence as she was helping her sister to create a safe haven for those in need.

(Also, bonus points to the author for all of the Keeper of the Lost Cities references in this book! 👏 HUGE KOTLC fan right here, so absolutely loved the "promotion" of the queen of fantasy, Shannon Messenger! Lol just had to say that; any fellow KOTLC fans, be sure to read this book and like this review, if you want to ofc.)

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these sisters so much, they’re genuinely warm with those in need and with each other, too, but not in a way that feels cloying or too good to be true to life. I really liked that even though this is a middle-grade novel and very much ten year old Sara’s story, you get enough glimpses of Abby’s life with her work as an architect, in a hint of romance and especially in revealing her own challenges to her little sister, that you feel like you know her nearly as well as you do Sara, and it just makes for an even richer reading experience to have such a well-crafted secondary character.

Ten year old Sara has selective mutism, it’s a struggle (and sometimes impossible) for her to speak to people she doesn’t know well. I could relate to Sara to an extent, and the depiction of her anxiety in those moments and disappointment in herself afterwards felt very real to me. Sara’s emotions were so palpable here that I think even if you’re a reader who is super gregarious, who goes into this scoffing at the idea that speaking could be that difficult for anyone, even that person might come away from this with a new understanding of and more compassion for the quieter people in the world.

Much like with Sara’s communication challenges, when this touches on other tough subjects, like premature babies, post-partum depression, and the unhoused, it’s handled with sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and an encouraging sense of hope.

[☺Trish]

I really enjoyed that this book is made up of letters that 10-year-old Sara wrote to her newborn baby brother, Oliver. She wrote him letters because, as she has selective mutism, it is easier for her to communicate with others by writing (letters, e-mails, notes, etc., rather than speaking.
When her brother is born prematurely, Sara is sent to live with her adult half-sister Abby in Toronto, so that her parents can be with the baby at the hospital. Sara nicknames her baby brother Birdy. The letters she writes to Birdy are filled with what's going on in Sara's life with Abby, who is designing a transitional-living community for some of Toronto's homeless/unhoused using pod homes made of shipping containers set up in a vacant lot donated by the lot's owner.
I love the happy ending (and although maybe not what would happen irl, I still truly appreciated it!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told as a series of letters written to her newborn brother. Sara's new brother was born prematurely and since her mom will need to be at the hospital, she is sent to spend the summer with her older sister, Abby. It may take a minute for readers to sort out the family connections as all of the siblings are halves. However, the love if full and comes through in actions and language. Letter writing helps Sara stay calm and focused to control her anxiety. She has selective mutism but works to speak to several others throughout the book. The second focus on the unhoused and affordable housing doesn't always connect but by the end, Abby's project is approved and the new homes are filled with those who need temporary shelter.

[Mrs. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely and unique story is written with letters from the main character to her brother and other individuals. The story makes you consider the great good of others, the pain of separation and lack of understanding kids can feel of grown up problems. The stress they encounter and how they choose to help. I loved this book it was very touching.

[Cortney Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with my 10-year old and we really liked all the family dynamics, a great social message, and what you can accomplish, even as an underdog

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunny and hopeful.

[LaVonne Hanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara, a girl with selective mutism, learns to overcome her concerns by helping her sister form a transitional living settlement for unhoused Torontonians. Sara’s love for her premature baby brother, which she shares in letters that comprise the book, forms a natural basis for this heartwarming novel. Includes vocabulary to help explain difficult terms and concepts, as well as a list of Sara’s favorite books and music. Sure to be a hit with third graders upward, especially those who share disabilities or medical problems in their families. I liked Sara's can-do spirit and drive to overcome her anxieties.

[Professor Cindy Judd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a middle grade novel told through letters from Sara, an anxious, selectively mute girl, to her baby brother who is in the hospital after being born prematurely. Sara temporarily goes to live with her half-sister Abby in Toronto, who’s trying to build container homes for unhoused people. While living with her sister, Sara watches tensions rise as the city pushes back on the container housing. Through writing and small but brave choices, Sara slowly finds ways to support Abby and speak up in her own way. The book not only focuses on neurodiversity, but also addresses issues like housing insecurity, blended families, and the idea that advocacy can be quiet but still powerful. I like how these big themes/ideas are presented in a way that a young audience can understand.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this!

Silver Birch Fiction 2026

[Colleen Carkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down. I love that it was written through letters so that Sara could manage her anxiety.

[Kay S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up from last year's kidlit theme of precarious housing, this book provides a sunshiney look at what could be for a large city's unhoused population. With a happy ending and a neurodivergent child/new adult duo taking on the issue of the city versus the homeless, this book is a great read to learn about the issues surrounding the homelessness epidemic and the reasons why so many people are without homes. This book is an easy, gentle read that introduces the issues and some solutions that could work.

I truly enjoyed just how much Sarah understands her own issues, down to the timeline it takes to speak in front of people. She's able to discuss it with trusted folks easily and openly and describe it briefly with those she's not sure about yet. Her work at overcoming her anxieties during the general turmoil of that summer is commendable.

It is VERY sunshine-and-rainbows though. Every plot point ends happily, even the dead baby ones, everything goes super well, no one gets hurt, and consequences don't exist. I feel like grown-ups need to follow up this book with a "but that's not always how things go" and a frank discussion about all the things that could-have-been in the book but very much are in the real world (eg. police brutality of the homeless, premature death rates and the issues that accompany them, how development projects really work especially involving homeless folks and addicts, etc.). A lot of things should have gone wrong here. But they didn't. I'm glad to see a book written for children that talks about issues they come face to face with in the wider world.

[Stephanie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Salt is a sweet, lovable narrator who introduces several difficult topics in a way that is accessible to young readers. This is the kind of book that encourages empathy and grace in the face of difficulty. Great read for middle grades!

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish I could say I liked this more. As someone with selective mutism, and with Sara’s selective mutism being in the synopsis, I felt it was going to play a larger role. But anxiety or not, it felt like I was just reading a young girls letters. Not knowing she had anxiety wouldn’t have made a difference. With that being said, the plot was ok. It was a good climax and was easy to follow. I wish we saw more of the advocation side of things when Sara and Abby brought the pod ideas to council, and I would have liked to see the process of setting up the pods instead of jumping a full year. Who knows- maybe the author will publish another book following this… if they do, not quite sure if I’ll read it at this point.
I also felt the text lacked sincerity and depth. I guess I was just really hoping for more of a connection with Sara, but I was left homeless with emotions

[Milton Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is perfect for middle grade readers with sensitive hearts. Sara is sent to live with her half-sister while her parents focus on complications following the birth of their new baby. To cope with the change and her worries, Sara begins writing letters to her hospitalized baby brother. Told mostly through these tender and honest notes, the book is a feel-good story about bravery, kindness, and standing up for others when they need it most. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder that even young voices can make a big difference.

Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!

Jayme A. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great -- anxiety and selective mutism, but also a lot about the ways families exist -- blended, stretched, some near, some far. Also a lot about housing insecurity and setting up a pod village. And the terrifying early days of a preemie birth. It's a lot, but Sara has found a way to communicate (by letter), and has an excellent half-sister to stay with while her parents focus on the new baby, and is a smart, spelling-oriented kid with a lot to say. Very well done.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect length for middle grade (at right under 2oo pages) with so many lovable characters, and the themes of family, hope, community, speaking up (in many ways) and advocating for what's right. Aron Nels Steinke's new graphic novel Speechless is on our book talk list which also highlights selective mutism, so this will pair well as a rec with it!

[LS Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epistolary style, which is perfect for the character of Sara, who has selective mutism. The style allows readers to learn about Sara and her world without relying on others and their interpretation of Sara's world.

[Mahtab Narsimhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant and powerful read!
Prendergast has got Sara Salt's voice down perfectly. Especially because she's too shy to speak to strangers and uses her pen to communicate. A must-have book for a school or home collection which is sure to encourage meaningful discussions.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

middle grade fiction about children's mental health? yes please

[Jessica Lerbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet 5th grader (or so) deals with anxiety, family health issues, and good social responsiblity and community messages

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me cry ngl

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara, a girl with selective mutism, develops her own voice in her own way and uses it to make a difference in this epistolary novel.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver Birch 2026

[Aga · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is very sweet and lovely!. It was also quite informative for the target age group. Very well executed, Congratulations!