Review by Faye, 11
This book is called Speak Up. Rebecca Burgess wrote and illustrated this graphic novel.
I really enjoyed this book. The story is exciting and surprising. Mia is a really good character. The writing is neat and tidy. The drawings are amazing and beautiful.
Speak Up is about a girl named Mia. Mia is on the autism spectrum. Mia’s mom worries about how her daughter fits in. At school, she doesn’t really speak. She is shy and making friends is hard for her. The kids in her class call her Robot Girl. But Mia has a friend named Charlie. Mia and Charlie make music videos together. Because Mia loves to sing, Mia becomes a singer called Elle-Q in the videos. Mia and Charlie post the videos online. When kids at school discover them, they love Elle-Q, but they don’t know that Mia is Elle-Q. When Mia joins the town talent show, Charlie is the only person who knows Elle-Q’s secret identity. In the end, Mia gains the courage to show her true self to everyone.
I recommend reading Speak Up!
Faye is in grade 5 in Ontario, Canada. This is her first book review for Getting Kids Reading.
More information
For more information about the PAWS series visit the Harper Collins Canada website. For information about the author/illustrator, Rebecca Burgess, follow @theorah and rebeccaburgess.co.uk.
Read some other reviews
A starred review by Kirkus: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rebecca-burgess/speak-up-burgess/
School Library Journal: https://www.slj.com/review/speak-up
Purchase
- Published 2022 by Quill Tree Books, imprint of Harper Collins.
- Hardcover picture book: 272 pages
- ISBN: 9780063081192
- List Price: CAD $16.99
- Ages: 8 to 12
If you want to purchase this book, please first check out your neighbourhood independent bookstore. Even if it’s not on their website or shelves, they can likely order them in for you.
Otherwise, clicking on the link below will take you to the Amazon.ca page which in turn will net a small bit of money for GKReading.com (it won’t cost you anything extra).
