Say What You Will

Reviewed by: Brooke Faulkner - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 15, 2014

Review

For her senior year in high school, Amy, who has Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheeled walker and computerized communication device, persuades her overprotective parents to hire peer helpers for her, replacing the selection of adult aides who have traditionally filled the role. Matthew, who she's known since elementary school, is one of the classmates selected, and though he's long been hyper aware of Amy and his attraction to her, he's nervous about the job and is somewhat intimidated by her willingness to ask difficult questions. Matthew is struggling in vain to hide his worsening Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and over the course of the year, Amy challenges and encourages him to seek help. Told in the third person, McGovern switches narrative perspective between Matthew and Amy and intersperses conversations they have via e-mail, including strings of those written but not sent, to very effective end. There are some teen problem novel tropes at play in places, including an unplanned pregnancy and disapproving parents, but the characters are refreshingly well developed, intelligent and insightful, making this a standout.

Overall Book Score: excellent