13-year-old Jimmy remembers
his relationship with his cousin when he is forced to speak at his wake. This is not an easy task, as Jimmy felt he
had nothing in common with his cousin Patrick.
In fact, Jimmy believed that Patrick hated him his whole life. But as Jimmy recalls the time spent with his
cousin, he slowly realizes that perhaps he did have more in common with Patrick
than he thought and through this process, he learns more about himself and his
family.
Speechless was a
book that kept me engaged and it was so well written, that I probably could
have read the book in one sitting! Every
chapter introduces a new memory, as Jimmy struggles to find the right one that
doesn’t end with Patrick losing his temper or destroying something. What I enjoyed the most about the book was
the little bits of humor that the author sprinkles in to lighten up the theme
of a teenager’s death. The book begins
with Jimmy talking about his uncomfortable dress pants and those pants end up haunting
him throughout the book. I also enjoyed
how every memory that Jimmy thought about offered a small nugget as to who
Patrick really was, especially since his poor behavior overshadowed his
intentions most of the time. This book
was a tear-jerker, so make sure to have tissues at the ready!
Fans of Wonder by
RJ Palacio, Fish in a Tree by Linda
Mullaly Hunt or Stargirl by Jerry
Spinelli will enjoy this book. Thought
provoking, honest, and heart breaking, Speechless
by Adam Schmitt is a book middle graders shouldn’t miss.
Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for allowing me
to read this E-ARC.
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