Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away

Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away is a speculative novel that intricately weaves the challenges of feeling invisible—both literally and figuratively—as a middle schooler comes to terms with her asexual identity. Described as “thoughtful and accessible” by Booklist in a starred review, this book is ideal for fans of Ellie Engel Saves Herself and Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone.

Seventh grade has just begun, but Olivia Gray can already tell that this year will be different. Her brother is preoccupied with his crush, and her friends are absorbed in conversations about who likes whom—something Olivia has never been concerned with, even when Robbie, the most popular boy in school, invites her to the fall formal. Without realising it, she turns him down, and soon finds herself going viral on the social app KruShh.

As discussions about Robbie and dating escalate, Olivia starts feeling more and more alienated to the point of becoming invisible—literally. Only her new librarian and a friendly kid named Jules can see her as she flickers in and out of sight whenever the subject of romance arises. Discovering she might be asexual, Olivia grapples with the label due to its negative connotations. She longs for normalcy but wonders if she can ever truly fit in without entirely disappearing.