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Speak up by Rebecca Burgess

by Caroline Tirona, Circulation on 2025-02-07T00:00:00-05:00 | 0 Comments

Mia is middle schooler who has autism. Her classmates think that she's weird because she's chewing on her necklace constantly and wears headphones all the time. Mia and her mom moved when her parents divorced. Luckily, she and her best friend, Charlie still live close by; they just do not go to the same school.

Mia is having a hard time making friends at her new school. And with her condition, she tends to STIM (which means she makes repeated sounds or repeated action uncontrollably) when she gets overwhelmed. Some girls made fun of her just because of what they see and think of her.

The girls did not know that Mia is also known as Elle Q. She and Charlie sing, co-write songs and post them online. In the end, Mia and Charlie surprised everyone by signing up for Mia's school talent show and then wowing the audience.

I truly enjoyed reading this graphic book. I rooted for Mia and her best friend until the last page, Mia had just needed to speak up truthfully and creatively.

Cover ArtSpeak Up! by Rebecca Burgess (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780063081192
Publication Date: 2022-09-13

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