Book Reviews 

Book: The Words In My Hands

Author: Asphyxia

Genre: Dystopian

Plot: The story takes place in a futuristic Australia. The main character, a deaf teenager named Piper, was taught by her mom to speak and read lips. However, she is introduced to sign language by a friend and finds her place in the world as a deaf individual. The world around her is collapsing-food is hard to come across, her mom loses her job, the environment is crumbling, and Piper starts to realize how corrupt the government really is. However, Piper learns to adapt in this environment with the help of her newfound friends and the community they introduce her to.

My rating: 4.8/5

Review: The Words In My Hands is a great book. The way the story is told sets it apart from other books of the same genre. The story is told in a collage format, with colorful, patterned pages and a mix of words and illustrations. Another factor that adds to the story is that the author, Asphyxia, is deaf, adding to the authenticity of Piper’s experience as a deaf teen. The story itself is also really engaging. The characters are likable and develop throughout the narrative, the plot is riveting, and the writing is great, with its use of imagery and symbolism, which allows the reader to really immerse themselves in the story. My only nitpick is that the story can be a little hard to follow along with, but otherwise it’s a great book! I would definitely recommend it for readers interested in more realistic dystopian stories, as well as coming-of-age stories.

Book: The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom

Author: Allison L. Bitz

Genre: Coming-of-Age

Plot: This story follows 16-year-old Bridget Bloom, an aspiring Broadway star, who is ecstatic after being accepted into a prestigious music academy. However, she later finds out that due to her low theory scores, she won’t be able to perform. Bridget has to navigate through this new world without her biggest passion, leading her on a path of self-improvement, which benefits her in the end.

My Rating: 4/5

Review: I have some mixed feelings about this book. I didn’t like it at the start, even though the side characters and overall plot were pretty good; Bridget, the main character, was really annoying. However, that’s how she is supposed to be read. At the start of the book, Bridget is self-centered and obnoxious.Yet, after she is banned from singing by the dean of the school, who tells her to be more humble, we see how Bridget grows as a person. The people around her teach her how to improve her relationships with others, and accompanying and writing for the school musical helps her learn how to help and look out for others. The story has great characters and developed relationships, with a wholesome story. I can tell that this story won’t appeal to everyone, but I would recommend it to readers who like realistic fiction and have a passion for musical theater, or just music in general.