First published 2023
Fifteen-year-old protagonist struggles with communication in a world that demands he speak up. His family carries unspoken tensions that weigh on daily life. School presents its own challenges as he tries to connect with peers while managing internal conflicts. The boy faces pressure from teachers, friends, and family members who want him to express himself more openly. His journey involves discovering that silence can be both protection and prison. Through basketball, music, or writing, he begins to find alternative ways to communicate what matters most. The story explores how young people develop their authentic voices when words feel inadequate. Family relationships shift as hidden truths surface and force honest conversations. The protagonist learns that speaking up requires courage but staying silent sometimes demands even more strength. His path toward self-expression becomes a bridge between who he was and who he wants to become.
Genres: literary-fiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Period: 21st-century
56 pages · Hardcover · Andersen Press Ltd