Words Apart is an act of literary brilliance that masterfully blends dual formats — verse and graphic panels — bridging the quiet space between words and pictures, communication and silence, closeness and drifting apart.

Lucido’s gift lies in her ability to turn internal conflict into art, weaving linguistic and visual play. Together, the styles achieve something rare — they make us feel the emotional dissonance between the sisters before we can even name it.

I will never see words as just words again. Lucido treats language as though it takes physical form — embodying tone and intent. This imaginative flourish adds powerful depth: words aren’t merely spoken, they’re lived — collected, shaped, and sometimes even withheld. The crossword elements were an ingenious touch and a delight to engage with.

This is a story where resolution doesn’t mean going back to how things were, but discovering a new way of being close — a new way of saying, “I still love you,” even when everything else is changing.

I absolutely loved reading this book and can’t wait to see it in color prints.

In Words Apart, we explore the lives of two sisters who communicate and comprehend their surroundings in distinct ways—one through words and the other through images. Throughout the narrative, we observe how their relationship evolves in response to changes in their school dynamics and family circumstances. This book is a unique blend of a novel that incorporates wordplay, definitions, and elements of a graphic novel.

Students will folk this is hybrid book - part graphic novel and part chapter book! The format is welcoming. The story is engaging and many students will find it relatable.