speech disorders

Before legendary actor James Earl Jones was recognized for his memorable, smooth voice, he was just James -- a stutterer who stopped speaking for eight years as a child...and ultimately found his voice through poetry.

"Melvin Robinson wants a strong, smooth, He-Man voice that lets him say what he wants, when he wants--especially to his crush Millie Takazawa, and Gary Ratliff, who constantly puts him down. But the thought of starting high school is only making his stutter worse. And Melvin's growing awareness that racism is everywhere--not just in the South where a boy his age has been brutally killed by two white men, but also in his own hometown of Spokane--is making him realize that he can't mutely stand by. His new friend Lenny, a fast-talking, sax-playing Jewish boy, who lives above the town's infamous (and segregated) Harlem Club, encourages Melvin to take some risks--to invite Millie to Homecoming and even audition for a local TV variety show. When they play music together, Melvin almost feels like he's talking, no words required. But there are times when one needs to speak up"--Provided by publisher.

Wolfstongue tells the story of a boy with speech problems who enters a hidden world of talking animals. When he befriends a family of wolves who have been enslaved by scheming, articulate foxes, the boy must face his own struggle with words to help the wolves win back their freedom.

Vietnam, 1964. B? hasn't spoken a word since her mother left two years ago. Her father is now frail after a stroke, and can do little to protect her from her stepmother, Big Mother, who treats B? like an animal and a servant. After Big Mother accuses her of stealing, B? is drugged and sold. She awakes as a captive in a locked underground bunker with a group of young women. [Her cat] M?o was hiding in her shirt when she was taken. When the imprisoned women and girls manage to escape, B? and M?o must find a safe place--even thought the world is literally exploding all around them--Adapted from back cover.

Lazarus Weathers, a high school senior from the wrong side of the tracks, seeks to protect his half-brother while pitching his way out of poverty, one strike at a time.

Small, shy Matt Baker, who has been marginalized because of a speech disorder, and big, bold, and brash Ben Roberson become unlikely practice partners as their baseball team navigates the rapidly approaching end of their season.

Twelve-year-old Xavier Moon gets the courage to step out of the shadows when his great-uncle gives him some outlandish socks and some even stranger requests.

"Living on the shore is all about fun, fun, fun! With my starring role in the boardwalk's biggest blockbuster performance, a life of fame and fortune is finally within reach. Until I accidentally lose my job, embarrass myself in front of a crush, and ruin a friendship, all at the same time. My problems can't always be laughed away--but I sure am going to try. After all, they didn't nickname me Jacky Ha-Ha for nothing!"--Provided by publisher.

"Eighth grader Jayson Linden has had a stutter his whole life. Though his fellow classmates can sometimes be mean, Jayson tries not to let it get to him; he enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his friends. Then Jayson's best friend, Gloria, is kicked off the debate team because of her stutter and Jayson starts to notice other injustices happening at their school. In order to make their middle school a more inclusive place and to stand up for his friends, Jayson decides to run against Mack, the most popular boy at school and captain of the basketball team, for student-body president. But as the campaign heats up, will Jayson be able to face his fears of public speaking and win the election?".

"Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water. But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him. When West McCray--a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America--overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late"--OCLC.