[thinkpink Posts: 13 Status: Offline]

I  need to write an essay on children's literature, and thought I'd do something about how characters communicate when normal speech is limited. I thought I'd use one book where there's a physical limitation or disability, then another about an alternate reason for not speaking, such as a conscious choice to remain mute.

I haven't read SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson, and had considered using that, but wonder if I should use something newer. Does anyone have suggestions for fiction I could look at on this topic?

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[jenklein Posts: 76 Status: Offline WWW]

I don't have an answer for you, but just wanted to say that SPEAK is truly beautiful.

[Mike Jung]

Sharon Draper's OUT OF MY MIND is about a girl with cerebral palsy who can't physically communicate, but whose emotional and intellectual capacities are fully developed and functional.

[mrh Posts: 4,803 Status: Offline www.marciahoehne.com WWW]

STUCK IN NEUTRAL by Terry Trueman.

[HDWestlund Posts: 1,007 Status: Offline writer and bookseller]

ALL THE TRUTH THAT IS IN ME by Julie Berry. A girl who deals with both physical limitations and elective muteness. Totally worth a read for the gorgeous writing, in addition.

[Artemesia Posts: 3,817 Status: Offline WWW]

MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X Stork is a wonderful book. It might be older than what you are looking for, tho.

[Jaina Posts: 2,857 Status: Offline Just keep typing, just keep typing . . .]

RULES is a great MG with a child communicating with a picture board.

[Liz Straw Posts: 981 Status: Offline That was a yummy book!]

Silent to the Bone by E. L. Konigsburg is about a boy who won't talk and his friend who uses index cards to communicate with him.

[writerjenn Posts: 309 Status: Offline WWW]

Brent Hartinger's GRAND & HUMBLE includes characters using sign language.

[writerjenn Posts: 309 Status: Offline WWW]

Oh, also--Josh Berk's THE DARK DAYS OF HAMBURGER HALPIN. The main character lip-reads.

[thinkpink Posts: 13 Status: Offline]

Wow, what a great list. RULES and MARCELLO IN THE REAL WORLD are the only two I've read, so I appreciate all the suggestions. I've got a great reading list now!
Thanks, everyone.

[olmue Posts: 3,614 Status: Online WWW]

I second Rules and All the Truth That's in Me. The boy in Rules in particular has SUCH an attitude for such a limited way of communicating!