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Published Nov 2021
388 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
Part coming of age, part call to action, this fast-paced #ownvoices novel about a Deaf teenager is a unique and inspiring exploration of what it means to belong.
Set in an ominously prescient near future, The Words in My Hands is the story of Piper: sixteen, smart, artistic, and rebellious, she's struggling to conform to what her mom wants—for her to be 'normal,' to pass as hearing, and get a good job. But in a time of food scarcity, environmental collapse, and political corruption, Piper has other things on her mind—like survival.
Deaf since the age of three, Piper has always been told that she needs to compensate in a world that puts those who can hear above everyone else. But when she meets Marley, a whole new world opens up—one where Deafness is something to celebrate rather than hide, and where resilience and hope are created by taking action, building a community, and believing in something better.
Published to rave reviews as Future Girl in Australia (Allen & Unwin, Sept. 2020), this unforgettable story is told through a visual extravaganza of text, paint, collage, and drawings that bring Piper's journey vividly to life. Insightful, hopeful, and empowering, The Words in My Hands is very much a novel for our turbulent times.
"This gentle yet honest story is true to one Deaf experience and is a pleasure to read, with artistic designs on every page and full illustrations and personal touches scattered throughout...A distressingly insightful vision of the future that also offers warmth and hope." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Textured by Asphyxia's own full-color paint, collage, and drawing illustrations, this debut offers an original and forceful vision of what the world may come to—as well as a vision for building a better future." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Fans of dystopian and realistic fiction will savor this engaging work, and the message will resonate with young activists seeking their own purpose. A standout must-read for teens and adults." - School Library Journal (starred review)
"Brilliantly imaginative, totally immersive―Asphyxia tilts the world sideways and invites you to see what was always there. Don't miss this book." - Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Illuminae
This information about The Words in My Hands was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Asphyxia is an artist, writer, public speaker, avid art-journal creator and the author of the much-loved junior fiction Grimstones series in Australia. Deaf since the age of three, Asphyxia learnt to sign when she was eighteen, which changed her life. She is now a Deaf activist, sharing details of Deaf experience. She raises awareness of oppression of Deaf people and what we can do to change this. Her free online Auslan course has had over 15,000 students. Asphyxia also loves to share her art-journaling processes, helping others benefit from its powers for self-expression, problem-solving, planning, goal-tracking and self-esteem. She lives on a small farm where she combines food-growing with art. The Words in My Hands combines all these passions.
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