Imagine a world where children are encouraged to explore the most profound and often avoided topic of all: death. But here’s where it gets controversial—one author is not only tackling this taboo but also making it the heart of her award-nominated novel. Meet Amber McBride, a poet and author whose Black National Book Award finalist, The Leaving Room, is sparking conversations that many would rather silence. But why is she so determined to bring death into the spotlight for young readers? Let’s dive in.
McBride’s fascination with death began long before she penned her novel. In 2008, her father, Mario, faced a near-death experience during a routine surgery for prostate cancer. Under anesthesia, he described floating above his body, only to be guided back to life by his long-deceased grandmother. This haunting yet hopeful experience left an indelible mark on McBride. Fast forward to 2022, while teaching at the University of Virginia, she was confronted with death again when a mass shooting claimed the lives of three football players. These events, coupled with her reflections on the tragic irony of young lives cut short, inspired her to write a story that confronts mortality head-on.
The Leaving Room is no ordinary novel. Set to release on October 14, it introduces readers to Gospel, the Keeper of The Leaving Room—a mystical space between life and death where young souls transition. When another Keeper, Melodee, arrives, their love story unfolds, challenging the boundaries of existence itself. And this is the part most people miss—McBride’s novel isn’t just a fantasy; it’s a tool to dismantle the silence surrounding death, especially for children. As she tells Word in Black, ‘Children’s souls are so young—it doesn’t feel like they should be leaving.’ Her hope? To create a space where kids can acclimate to the idea of death, making it less frightening and more understandable.
But McBride doesn’t stop at death. Her novel weaves themes of love, grief, and queer representation, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences. Written in verse, The Leaving Room doubles as an accessible introduction to poetry for young readers. Yet, this very inclusivity and honesty could make the book a target for censorship. With PEN America’s recent list of banned books looming large, McBride acknowledges the risk: ‘It can always happen, right?’ But she remains unwavering in her mission to write authentic stories that resonate with young readers, even if it means facing backlash.
Here’s the bold question—are we doing young people a disservice by shielding them from conversations about death? McBride argues that by bringing death into the open, we allow children to process grief, celebrate remembrance, and find joy in the legacies of loved ones. ‘Grief always has the opposite, which is joy and remembrance,’ she says. ‘Keep that in mind when things get heavy.’
As The Leaving Room hits shelves, it’s not just a book—it’s a call to action. Will it challenge parents and educators? Absolutely. Will it spark uncomfortable but necessary conversations? Undoubtedly. But isn’t that the power of storytelling? Now, we turn to you: Do you think books like McBride’s should be embraced in schools, or is the subject matter too risky? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments—your thoughts matter.
