Whisper Book Review

Though a seemingly simplistic title, the name Whisper calls into play its major theme. As Joy seeks out the answers to different questions, she learns about truth: how it hurts, but also how it makes things easier in the long run. The title Whisper refers to all of the secrets Joy’s Mom, Joy’s Dad, Helena, and Bree kept from her, and how every single one of those secrets backfired on them. In the end, their lives complicated because of them, but what survived after the havoc the secrets caused became stronger through it. In that respect, characterization plays a huge role in the novel. Joy discovers how to help others while staying true to herself; Icka, her older sister, learns how to trust and hope once more; Parker, Joy’s best friend, understands that leaders first must learn to follow; and Jamie unearths his own bravery, staying strong with others in the face of adversaries. Many of the characters incorporate a common stereotype into their personality--“the perfect girl,” “the golden, athletic schoolboy,” “the annoying older sister”--and twists it on its head until the entire ploy shatters, something appreciated in a cover judging society. I also appreciated the approach of the first chapter of the book, getting right down to business without giving much of the plot away; it intrigues the reader without destroying their original curiosity:

“‘You’re not losing your [Joy’s] Hearing, dummy. You’re gaining more of it. More than you ever wanted, and I [Icka] bet it’s more than you can take….But get ready. You’re about to turn into me.”’

Recommended for anyone who wanted to turn back but instead pressed forward.

-Grace Nask