Review by Hadley, teen reviewer

allthetruth

All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry

five-stars

Two best friends end up missing from hometown Roswell Station only days apart from each other. Lottie Pratt winds up a floating corpse in a river. Judith Finch finds herself wandering home two years later. Alive, but missing half her tongue.

No one wishes to hear her speak, not even her own family, so no one knows the truth about what happened to Judith. However, that does not stop the rumors from being spread. Cursed with the inability to speak, Judith attempts to live out a normal life away from the cruel and judging eyes of the public. But an attack on the town leaves Judith with the choice to bring the past to light or to let her childhood love, Lucas, and countless others face death in battle. She makes her choice, and nothing is ever the same for either of them.

The book is set in a time guessed by readers to be mid-1800’s, in a time without any modern medicine or technology. The story has a uniquely vintage feel, a refreshing change from the overwhelming number of futuristic novels on the markets today. Perhaps not a popular choice for all young readers, but it is definitely a remarkable read.

The story is told from Judith’s point of view, where we read about her everyday actions while she retells the story of her disappearance at various intervals throughout the book. Her thoughts are sometimes addressed directly to Lucas, an interesting stylistic choice from the author which only adds to the charm of the book.

Overall, this is a book I could not put down. There is never a dull moment with Judith, whose life is constantly changing directions. She is a character easy to empathize with, and someone whose undeniable bravery puts her at the top of the hero list. The tragic love story between Judith and Lucas will have you on the edge of your seat.

I recommend this to my fellow romance fans looking for a story to take you on an adventure. This is truly a one-of-a-kind read. 5 stars.  –Hadley, teen reviewer


Find the book in our library: All the Truth That’s in Me

Keywords:  Selective mutism, community life, war, realistic fiction