Say the Word
*Starred Review* Ten years ago, Shawna’s mom, Penny, came out, moved out, and never looked back. For 10 years Shawna aspired to be everything her protective, perfectionist father, Jack, wanted her to be, distancing herself as much as possible from the shame that Penny’s abandonment caused her. But at 17, Shawna is pulled by her mother’s death into contact with Penny’s partner, Fran, and their sons, Arye, 17, and Schmule, 10. Jack, who legally remains Penny’s next of kin, financially ruins Fran’s family and then goes after Schmule, who is revealed to be Penny and Jack’s biological child. Shawna finds herself questioning her allegiances, but she is powerless in the shadow of her domineering father. The more Shawna tries to connect with Schmule and to make amends with Fran and Arye, the more vicious Jack becomes, leaving Shawna alone to deal with the dawning realization that Schmule is a great danger to himself. There are many issues at play in this powerful and compelling novel—gay rights, acceptance, shame, first love, domestic violence, harassment, depression—all swirling around Shawna, whose thoughts and emotions are not always politically correct, but are always genuine. This sensitive and heart-wrenching story slowly unfolds into a gripping read featuring realistically flawed characters who undergo genuine growth. Grades 9-12. --Heather Booth