SPEECHLESS

At the start of sixth grade, Mira Toledano-Stone, an aspiring animator with social anxiety, decides this will be the year she conquers her fears and starts speaking in school.

In the comfort of her home, Mira has no problem talking, but no matter how much pressure she puts on herself, she can’t find her voice at school. On the first day of middle school, her plan to start fresh falls apart, and soon she’s become a target of bullying once again. Making stop-motion animation films is Mira’s outlet, but her younger sister always invades her space. To make matters worse, Mira’s parents betray her when they invite Chloe, her “pretend nice” former best friend, to live with them while her family deals with a crisis. With the help of a therapist, Mira navigates middle school woes and confronts her social anxiety. This coming-of-age graphic novel depicts a diverse world around Mira (who’s Jewish and has light-brown skin and dark hair), including her crush, who uses they/them pronouns. The relationship-focused plot has high appeal, but Mira’s parents’ complete lack of awareness—until a teacher calls home—that she hasn’t been speaking in school stretches the limits of believability. Additionally, the narrative, which Steinke explains in an author’s note reflects some of his own experiences, primarily focuses on Mira’s acquiring speech without acknowledging other forms of communication.

A compelling school story that could have explored its central topic with greater depth.