Podcast appearances and mentions of Adam P Schmitt

Jill reads the first chapter of Speechless by Adam P. Schmitt.Contact Us: connections@hamnerlibrary.orgFeatured Resource: Access World News

Books talked about in this episode: Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy If We Survive by Andrew Klavan One Piece by Eiichirō Oda Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis Speechless by Adam P. Schmitt Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black by Marcus and Julian Sedgwick Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto Wonder by J. R. Palacio Deadline by Chris Crutcher Scream All Night by Derek Milman Dragon Ball Z by Akira Toriyama A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (female main protagonist with strong male protagonist) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman A Silent Voice Volume 1 by Yoshitoki Oima Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (female main protagonist with strong male protagonist) When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson The Boy Who Steals Houses by C. G. Drews Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova  

How do you give a eulogy when you can’t think of one good thing to say? A poignant, funny, and candid look at grief, family secrets, difficult people, and learning to look behind the facade. As if being stuffed into last year’s dress pants at his cousin’s wake weren’t uncomfortable enough, thirteen-year-old Jimmy has just learned from his mother that he has to say a few words at the funeral the next day. Why him? What could he possibly say about his cousin, who ruined everything they did? He can’t recall one birthday party, family gathering, or school event with Patrick that didn’t result in injury or destruction. As Jimmy attempts to navigate the odd social norms of the wake, he draws on humor, heartfelt concern, and a good deal of angst while racking his brain and his memory for a decent and meaningful memory to share. But it’s not until faced with a microphone that the realization finally hits him: it’s not the words that are spoken that matter the most, but those that are truly heard.