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Book Review|Speak Your Mind by Allyson Kennedy

This is book is quite possible one of the most relatable stories I’ve ever had the privilege of reading.

As a quiet and socially-anxious person, this story really hit close to my heart and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity of reading it for review.

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Yes, it’s a middle-grade novel, but anyone at any age can enjoy this story!

About the book

speak your mind cover.jpg

No friends. No confidence. All mind.

Victoria Harding—the scared-silent girl of Grahamwood Junior High—survives the seventh grade from the confines of her mind. After her best friend moved away due to a secret Victoria can’t reveal, she’d rather sit alone at lunch and live in her imagination than befriend the classmates who joke that she’s plotting violence against the school. Between being called names and having a teacher who’s out to get her, Victoria’s confidence is at an all-time low, until she’s volunteered to escort her new neighbor around school. 

With the new kid showing up everywhere, will she finally find the courage to be heard again through their forged friendship? Will she forever be locked within the restrictive cage her doubts have created, or will she realize that relying on God is the only way to defeat her anxiety once and for all?


My thoughts…

This story hooked me from the beginning. And by “beginning,” I mean the dedication (my heart). <3 This story about a thirteen-year-old girl struggling with anxiety really hit home for me. She learned how to rely on God for comfort and strength to endure life, especially through the hard times. People are going to say things about you that will hurt you and make fun of things about you that you can’t change. Like being quiet. That’s just you, and that’s totally fine. But people can say what they want, because you were created in God’s image and He’s here for you. It doesn’t matter what they say; you just have to keep your eyes on God. 

I highly recommend this sweet story, especially for introverts. 😉


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Are you an introvert? Have you read this book? If so, what did you think?


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17 Comments

  • Reply Kassie

    Am I ever an introvert. 😂 I can flip my extrovert switch and come across as this ENFJ-ESTP cross if I have to but it takes a special kind of person to make me enjoy that. 🙃
    Victoria sounds super relatable…I’ll have to add this to my TBR. 👍

    January 14, 2020 at 10:24 am
    • Reply Jenna

      I think I’m the same too; I’m a bit more extroverted around people I know well enough. 🙂
      Yes! If you read it, let me know what you think! 😀

      January 14, 2020 at 11:23 am
  • Reply Olivia

    This sounds like such a good book!! I love books that actually have a real-life ‘moral’. I’ll have to check it out!

    January 14, 2020 at 12:17 pm
    • Reply Jenna

      Is it! If you read it, be sure to let me know what you think. 😉
      Thanks for reading, Olivia!

      January 14, 2020 at 2:37 pm
  • Reply Allyson

    Thanks so much for your review, Jenna! I’m glad you could relate to the book! 😀

    January 14, 2020 at 2:11 pm
    • Reply Jenna

      Thanks again for contacting me! I really enjoyed it! 😀 <3

      January 14, 2020 at 2:36 pm
  • Reply Eden

    Aww, this book sounds so incredibly sweet!! ❤️ Great review, Jenna!! You should do more reviews, your good at them. 😊

    January 14, 2020 at 4:43 pm
    • Reply Jenna

      It really is! <3 Aw, thanks, Eden! I've been doing more of my reviews on Instagram, but I guess I should think about doing more here too. :)

      January 14, 2020 at 7:21 pm
  • Reply Emily Seaver

    100% introvert… though if forced I become a weird ESTP/ENTJ/ESTJ cross. XD
    This was a great reveiw!

    January 14, 2020 at 5:01 pm
    • Reply Jenna

      😀 I think all we introverts have an extrovert personality deep inside that emerges when pushed enough. XD
      Thanks for reading, Emily!

      January 14, 2020 at 7:21 pm
  • Reply Ash Ronnel

    I’m an extrovert, lol, but this book still seems pretty interesting!! I loved reading your review 😀

    January 14, 2020 at 7:48 pm
    • Reply Jenna

      And that is awesome that you are! 😀 Thanks for reading, Ash! <3

      January 15, 2020 at 10:20 am
  • Reply Hanne T

    This book sounds so awesome!! I love middle grade books; sometimes they’re the simplist, but they have the best message.

    January 15, 2020 at 5:19 pm
    • Reply Jenna

      It totally is! 😀 Yeah, I haven’t read much middle-grade, but I think I will more now. 🙂

      January 16, 2020 at 9:00 am
    • Reply Kiara

      I am an introvert.♥️

      January 17, 2020 at 3:01 pm
  • Reply Emma Starr

    I’m an introvert who also loves people and socializing. 😀 (Idk if that makes me an ambivert…hmmm) I just can’t take too much of it. This girl definitely needs time to create stuff //alone//. <3

    I'm adding this to my tbr!! I'm pretty much the "I love to socialize but I'm kinda bad at it and hopefully I'm improving" person, so I'm sure I'll be able to relate to the protagonist. 😀

    January 20, 2020 at 11:00 am
    • Reply Jenna

      Yeah it sounds like you’re am ambivert! 😀 That’s so cool!
      Great! I hope you like it. 🙂 Thanks for reading!

      January 20, 2020 at 12:16 pm

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