Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone’s week is going well. I’m still waiting to hear back about my cat’s biopsy so I’m a little on edge. But overall things are going pretty well. School is still pretty relaxed and I’m able to get ahead. *Knock on wood* I’m also enjoying the content of what I’m learning. It works well with the different things I learned about medicine on disability.
Synopsis
A few weeks ago I finished Speechless by Aron Nels Steinke. The book is a heartfelt middle grade tale focused on a girl named Mira. Mir has selective mutism that her parents aren’t aware of. She can’t talk at school and the book covers her trials and tribulations learning to express herself. Even though Mira can’t speak verbally at school. She has a rich imagination and is the animator of her own stop motion animation Youtube channel.
Her studio called Dangercat Studios puts out animations about herself and and her classmates giving her outlet to express herself. One of her main topics is her bully Chloe. She and Chloe used to be friends until the other girls decided she didn’t want Mira embarrassing her.
But when Chloe’s mom has to travel for a family emergency. Mira’s mom ends up taking her enemy into her own home. To make matters worse Mira’s parents find out about her not being able to speak at school. They send her to a therapist which Mira thinks is entirely unnecessary.
However as Mira gets to know Chloe better. She learns that she may have been wrong about seeing the girl being her enemy. Mira also has trouble with her sister. In addition she has at school when it comes to her animation and working with her classmates.
With the help of her therapist Mira learns that there is more than one way to communicate. She also learns that she may be able to get over her fears with small steps.
Review
This book reminds me a lot of Octopus Moon for several reasons. Both for the grade level and the subject matter. I’m also glad to see a book about selective mutism. The disorder effects more than 1 in 140 elementary school children and many adults as well.
However there is still that idea that people affected can still speak if they want to. This often ties in with how nonverbal autistic people are perceived. I’d love to see a similar book about being non-verbal in the autistic sense. Please let know if you know of one! The only similar book I can think of is Out of My Mind. But that still deals with a slightly different topic.
Overall though the book is comprehensive on the subject. The characters and story line are perfect for the age group. Mira is a relatable heroine. Her friends and little sister also round out the cast very well. I’m giving this book four out of five stars for theme and execution.
Do you know any other graphic novels or books relating to mental health for this age group? I’m going to keep looking and will probably do a post about it when I find more information about it.
Happy Reading
Solara
Rose's Book Garden 