All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry

Pages: 274
Intended Audience: Mature teens
Genre: Mystery / Romance / Historical
Notes for Parents: Contains scenes of violence; implications of sexual abuse

The Back Cover

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared.
Two years later, only Judith returned.
Now, unable to speak, and ignored by those who were once her friends and family, Judith is forced to make a choice.
Continue to live in silence…
Or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten title, and was nominated for the MWA Edgar Award for YA. It was also “Best Teen Book of 2013 (Kirkus Review) and chosen one of the “Best of 2013” by School Library Journal. It was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.

What’s good?

Good flow and an even pace highlight this story about a young girl’s arduous journey to regain her voice in a repressive town that ostracizes her when she returns a mute after being missing for two years. Judith is a strong, sympathetic main character. The short, often extremely short, chapters are told in second-person point of view as letter-like thoughts from Judith to a boy in the community named Lucas. The time shifts in the storytelling make the plot fairly complex, and the writing style creates an organic and emotional atmosphere. The setting is kept vague but is historical, providing a solid base for the mystery, suspense, action, drama, and romance that the novel offers.
Best Part: The twist at the end. It’s not so much of a twist as a slow turn. Well done.

What isn’t good?

The second person point of view took a little getting used to, as did the choppy, disjointed writing style, both of which eventually won me over. The plot is intricate, shifting between past and present, and is full of mis-directions that require the reader’s attention. It’s not an easy read, nor a fast one. The story builds slowly and the journey is a difficult one.
Worst part: The end. (I liked the “twist” but not the actual ending).

Recommendation þþþoo

This is an oddly compelling tale. Had I known what I was getting into, I probably would have skipped it, but I’m glad I forged ahead. Characterization is strong, the premise is unique, and the setting is captivating. It’s an emotional story with a lingering sense of bittersweet. I’m not sure I like the end. It felt like mental instability was confused with good intentions. Regardless, if you’re up for a challenge, this is a good read. Recommended.

Berry, Julie. All the Truth That’s in Me. New York: Speak, 2013.