Speechless

Gr 4-7–In sixth grade, socially anxious Mira is determined to finally speak at school, but no matter how hard she tries, the words won’t come. Her classmates mock her, dismissing her cruelly. At home, Mira is a different person—chatty, confident, and a skilled stop-motion filmmaker who spends hours perfecting her claymation projects while bickering with her nosy little sister. Mira’s world turns upside down when her parents invite Chloe, her ex-best friend and biggest bully, to stay with them during a family emergency. Chloe acts sweet in front of Mira’s parents, but Mira knows better. As tensions rise, Mira begins therapy and connects with a new friend and crush, Alex, who uses they/them pronouns. With their support, Mira learns to communicate through writing and filmmaking while working toward her goal of speaking at school. Steinke’s signature cartoon-style illustrations and diverse cast make this visually appealing and engaging. The exploration of selective mutism is thoughtful and relatable. However, readers might find Mira’s parents frustratingly oblivious, particularly for their disbelief in Chloe’s behavior and ignorance of Mira’s silence at school. Despite this, the graphic novel offers an empathetic portrayal of Mira’s journey to self-expression. The author’s note, which elaborates Steinke’s own experiences with selective mutism, is welcome.