Speechless

This is a beautiful book, full of courage and hope, as well as the pain of being written off and bullied. It explores diversity and acceptance of who any individual is in an engaging way which keeps you turning the pages. (The issues here are being a wheelchair user and finding spoken communication extremely challenging as a result of cerebral palsy, but the book could easily form the basis of more general discussions about diversity.) I think it is unusual in addressing the fact the absolutely any of us can be subject to our own damaging preconceptions and prejudices about others; in "Speechless" even the protagonist herself falls foul of this. As you might expect, given the previous point, the characterisation is excellent and I particularly liked the way that a number of the characters grow as the story progresses. No names mentioned here - you'll have to read the book to find out!(Inspired by Lucy Mangan's wonderful "Bookworm" periodically I read some children's books published since I was of the target age group, as well as revisiting old childhood favourites. "Speechless" carries such an important message that I wanted to know more.)

Very good book not only for children.

Brilliant book! I loved the diversity and equality about the book, and it got me thinking about people with learning difficulties and special needs.However, the end was a bit disappointing. «!*SPOILER*!»Harriet, who has Celebral Palsy, was worried about her brother, Jake. So, in the early hours of the morning goes out dangerously to find him. She finds him, severely ill, on a park bench. When she returns to school a few weeks later after saving her brother's life, she is seen as a hero and is praised by many teachers and pupils.«!*SPOILERS END*!»Before the saving, she is bullied and mocked and all of a sudden that ends. I wanted her to be accepted regardless of who she is. We Are All Human.Thanks,Sunny xxx <3

Such a fabulous book

As a crazy and talented child who reads a lot of books and can read them very quickly, I can promise you, in a year, you probably won't read anything better.And, I feel like this book (I know it may sound silly) understands me. For an example, on the outside, you may be a cute girl, or a cheeky boy. But on the inside, take the cheeky boy example, you may be small and scared.Also, if you didn't get the message whilst you were reading it, the important message is, "it does not matter what you look like; who you really are is what matters. And if people think it matters what you look like, you should not listen to them. Again, it's who you really are that matters. Appearances are like foil wrappers around a sweet, sugary treat, they cannot tell you what the treat's like unless they speak up.", and that message is true.Review by;Holly, eight years, Scotland.P.S. I hope my review helped.

This book is AMAING it talks about Harriet with her life in secondary school and how she fights with her medical condition Ceribal palsy.Harriet got bullied A LOT just because she couldn't walk or talk I thought that it was very mean to bully someone with a condition like that!Harriet is also incredibly brave she went out in the DARK to save her brother from the cold when Harriet got to him he was ill from the cold🙁I Defenitly recommend This book to 8-any age you want!This book is also good for children with medical conditions Like Ceribal palsy, Nurofibromatosis**if you don't know what Nurofibromatosis is Google it.Please it will make you more aware of people in general with a hidden disability it would mean a LOT to my family if you every one finds out about Nurofibromatosis Thank you so muchP.S the charity for the Nurofibromatosis is The Child Hood Tumer Trust. Remember not all Conditions are not visible on the outside but visible inside.

Speechless is a story full of heart and hope.11 year old Harriet has Cerebral Palsy; she is transitioning to a new secondary school; her mum is pregnant and very sick with it; her older brother Jake is going off the rails and Grandma Gloria ( with her high heels and peroxide hair ) has arrived to run the house ….It is a brilliant, emotional, honest and also humourous story full of the struggles, frustrations and the strength of spirit that being a teenager with a disability encompasses . The story is written with incredible honesty and obvious knowledge and personal experience and so shines with empathy and sensitivity .The author creates a whole cast of very relatable characters and the story is so much more than Harriet’s own battle to be understood and valued by others. Harriet herself , learns not to pre judge others based on what she sees on their surface. The faltering and then flourishing connection between Harriet and her Grandma Gloria is heart warming and beautifully written and is a huge part of the story.I thought this was powerfully written and the book moved me and has stayed with me for some time now after reading .

Just a very good book. Would recommend. An insight at our a child in a wheel chair is treated. Will think of this in future