Speak Up!

by Rebecca Burgess (Author) Rebecca Burgess (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

For fans of Click and Brave, this touching coming-of-age middle grade graphic novel debut follows an autistic girl who finds friendship where she least expects it and learns to express her true self in a world where everyone defines her by her differences.

Twelve-year-old Mia is just trying to navigate a world that doesn't understand her true autistic self. While she wishes she could stand up to her bullies, she's always been able to express her feelings through singing and songwriting, even more so with her best friend, Charlie, who is nonbinary, putting together the best beats for her.

Together, they've taken the internet by storm; little do Mia's classmates know that she's the viral singer Elle-Q! But while the chance to perform live for a local talent show has Charlie excited, Mia isn't so sure.

She'll have to decide whether she'll let her worries about what other people think get in the way of not only her friendship with Charlie, but also showing everyone, including the bullies, who she is and what she has to say.

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Kirkus

Starred Review
A fun, sweet story about being oneself.

None

In this accessible graphic novel, Mia's increasing eagerness to be--and to advocate for--herself is encouraging, as is the casual diversity among other characters. The digital illustrations hold interest, especially at moments of strong emotion--and when Mia feels free as Elle-Q.

Publishers Weekly

An autistic middle schooler secretly becomes a viral music star in this thoughtful graphic novel by Burgess (Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down), a middle grade debut. Mia, who reads as white, uses headphones, a chew-necklace, and moments with a notebook to make it through school days plagued by persistent bullying and home life with a mother who would rather she mask than stim. Overstimulation makes Mia feel "overwhelmed... so when I try to speak, I can never find the words." But in private with best friend Charlie, who reads as Black and nonbinary, she writes music and posts online videos of her mask-wearing alter ego, Elle-Q. When their latest collaboration suddenly goes viral, Charlie pressures Mia to publicly debut at a local talent show as Mia struggles to handle a bullying classmate--one who's also obsessed with uncovering Elle-Q's identity. Autistic creator Burgess employs jewel tones, emanata, and sketchbook-like renderings to portray the complexities of Mia's sensory experiences, from the internal turbulence of meltdowns to profound joy in creativity and music. Intimate and inlaid with nuance, it's an empowering look at self-acceptance, accommodation, and masking via the lens of one autistic experience. Ages 8-12. Agent: Britt Siess, Britt Siess Creative. (Sept.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8--Mia learns how to speak up and allow her true self to emerge in this warm coming-of-age graphic novel. At 12 years old, Mia loves music. She likes to write poems and song lyrics, and her best friend, Charlie, shares her interests. Mia is also autistic, and sometimes fitting in is difficult. Her mother urges her to suppress particular behaviors, including stimming, in public. Even so, children in school make fun of her. Meanwhile, Laura and the other mean girls are all super excited about music videos from Elle-Q, an anonymous singer whose songs are going viral online. They don't know that Elle-Q is really Mia, singing her lyrics to music Charlie has written for them. The opportunity to go live at a local talent show is in Mia and Charlie's reach, but will Mia's fear of being in the spotlight get in the way? While there is a lot going on in this story, it all comes together in a heartwarming conclusion. The artwork really pops, with expressive illustrations that spill over the panels and colors that brighten the page. VERDICT A heartwarming and fun graphic novel, recommended where realistic fiction is popular.--Esther Keller

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"A touching look at one girl's struggle with autism and bullying, and a charming testament to finding the inner strength to speak up in one's own voice." — Tyler Page, creator of Button Pusher

"A loving depiction of one young person's experience of autism...The full-color art is cute and expressive...A fun, sweet story about being oneself."— Kirkus Reviews

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063081192
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Quill Tree Books
Publication date
September 13, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV008000 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | General
JUV031040 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Music
JUV039150 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Special Needs
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Graphic novels
Singers
Comics (Graphic works)
Internet personalities
Autistic girls
Coming-of-age comics

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