Speechless

This emotionally raw first novel places eighth grader Jimmy in an impossible situation when his parents force him to eulogize Patrick, a recently deceased cousin he despised. The novel spans the wake and funeral, and titles such as "some people enjoy a wake like it's a wedding," introduce the chapters, which include flashback scenes with the volatile and sometimes explosive Patrick, who was Jimmy's age. The flashbacks vary in pacing and effectiveness; the first, about their seven-year stint in the park district's Junior Explorers, feels bloated, while others are stronger, especially a description of a Fourth of July party thrown by the formidable Grandma Mutz, during which Patrick attacks Jimmy with little firecrackers and Patrick's father becomes enraged. Jimmy transcends speechlessness to offer an honest and unvarnished tribute. With dark comedy and raw authenticity, Schmitt captures the awkward moments of the funeral while exploring complicated family dynamics, untreated mental health issues, and family secrets. Ages 9-12. (Nov.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"Patrick was kind of an asshole," starts Jimmy's eulogy as the novel presents its unique closure in the form of difficult truths, a lot of heart, and a refreshingly insightful voice from first-time author Schmitt.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

Schmitt simultaneously paints a realistic picture of a close but flawed family who must navigate the sudden death of a young family member and all the feelings that come with it...A complicated, hard, and heartfelt look at a child's mental illness.
—Kirkus Reviews Online (starred review)

Honesty isn't always pretty, but it courses through Schmitt's debut in more ways than one...Complex family relationships surface with humor and candor, with adults painted as flawed and prone to delivering sharp words or even a smack. All these elements combine to make the reader as uneasy as Jimmy, who, through his recollections, gains a better understanding of the boy lying in the coffin and, ultimately, of himself.
—Booklist

The subject matter is weighty and may provoke sympathy towards children with emotional and behavioral problems. Trying to really hear and empathize with others is what is important.
—School Library Connection

Jimmy transcends speechlessness to offer an honest and unvarnished tribute. With dark comedy and raw authenticity, Schmitt captures the awkward moments of the funeral while exploring complicated family dynamics, untreated mental health issues, and family secrets.
—Publishers Weekly Online

Speechless takes material that would normally be overwhelmingly depressing and manages to make it entertaining. It's still sad, of course-Patrick's death was a colossal tragedy. But the tragedy is handled near perfectly, and it's wonderful.
—Read Till Dawn (blog)

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. A must-read for kids and adults.
—Story Monsters Ink