Hush

Content Warning: This section contains mentions of racial violence and a suicide attempt.

Toswiah Green is the protagonist-narrator of Hush. She is 13 at the beginning of the novel and turns 14 in her new, unspecified home. Tall, quiet, and introverted, Toswiah has few, albeit important relationships in her life: her best friend, Lulu, and her grandmother. Lulu shares a birthday with Toswiah, and the girls have been close since birth. Toswiah adores Grandma, and also shares a special bond with her father, Jonathan. Upon relocating as part of the Witness Protection Program, Toswiah adopts the name “Evie Thomas.”

Toswiah is a private person. When her older sister Cameron mocks her new name, Toswiah doesn’t explain its significance; similarly, she doesn’t tell her family that she joined the school’s track team. Her introverted nature leads to her having a tough time making friends. Toswiah’s loneliness is further highlighted when she meets another girl with the same name, but who is constantly surrounded by friends. She often misses Lulu and Grandma, and dreams of reuniting with them.

However, Toswiah displayed a strong sense of self in her old home in Denver. She confidently presented details, including her name and preferences, when asked to describe herself in class.