The Reading Corner

the reading corner BY JESSICA SANFORD

Maryam Masters’ No Words is a junior fiction novel about Aria, a 12–year–old refugee, now living in Australia.

Aria has just started at a new school and even though he doesn’t speak anymore he befriends Hero, a young girl who feels anything but heroic, and Jaz, their funny, outspoken sidekick. Hero’s dad experiences extreme mood swings and Hero has learnt to live with the ups and downs. Enjoying the good times while they last and finding ways to cope with the bad days. The book opens with Hero, her little sister, and her dad at McDonalds “Macca’s”, where her dad is feeling particularly upbeat and decides to shout everyone in the restaurant hotcakes. Hero is equally embarrassed and amused! Together Aria, Hero and Jaz navigate schoolyard politics – including hiding from His Royal Thug–ness Doofus (Rufus) – while working on a project to help Aria find his voice.

The book explores themes of bullying, trauma, and mental illness. There are interwoven storylines of standover tactics from the mean school kid and more sinister examples of tyranny and loss of freedom of speech. Masters doesn’t shy away from the tough scenes but while the subject matter is painful, it is described gently, through a young lens. There is also a lot of humour running in the background to provide constant comic relief.

The story is told from Hero and Aria’s perspectives. The voice of each character is unique, and the first–person perspective feels personal. The language is youthful and vibrant and will be relatable for young readers. The demonstration of friendship and tolerance and the way Aria and Hero strive to conquer their personal fears is inspirational.

No Words offers an insight into refugee families, loss and trauma and Masters writes in a way that focuses on family bonds, love, the power of friendship and hope.

Jessica Sanford (AKA Jessica Anscombe) is a librarian and writer living on the Central Coast. She has a passion for literature and writes fiction and non–fiction. Jessica was the winner of the Wyong Writers’ 2021 Short Story Competition and has also been longlisted for the Furious Fiction prize. You can read her short stories on her website jessicasanfordwriter.com. You’ll also find her over on instagram @jessicasanford_

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