Reviews

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, Sydney Smith

innodavid's review against another edition

3.0

3.25 STARS

As someone who has a stutter, this is the most honest depiction of stuttering I've read.

markwillnevercry's review against another edition

4.75

This was really great? I never really questioned how people with stutter feel, because I never really knew anyone who stuttered and when I heard people stutter in movies and stuff I just thought that it was normal, kind of how you would think of an accent. I am aware that people get bullied for stuttering, but I thought that it was kind of like how I got bullied for not being fluent in a language, that everyone else mastered. I do think that everyone should read this book to understand more about stuttering, even though it is "just" about a personal experience of one person and not like an essay.

readmoreyall's review against another edition

5.0

You must listen to this one. Must.

carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition

5.0

This book is absolutely stunning. I love the message of accepting who you are and accepting that your disability is a part of who you are. The illustrations are beautiful and the words are incredibly powerful.

jasperellis's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rachiiebookworm2710's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A beautiful picture book, with an important message.

Read for reading prompts 

Library book 📖 

5/5

novella42's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Chose this for the 2024 Read Harder Challenge because I have someone in my life who is neurodivergent and struggles with words due to ASD. I read this at the library with tears running down my face. 

Beautifully written, beautifully illustrated. Like a poem in an art gallery. The chaotic watercolor of the classroom captured my own memory perfectly — I felt like I was back in school, ashamed of the undiagnosed dyscalculia that set me apart sometimes and made me feel so alone. 

This boy's story is partly about his father's compassion, and partly about learning to see his own voice and body in a new context. As a multiply disabled person, it resonated on multiple levels and I'm really grateful I read it. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism

michellehenriereads's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book! Poignant descriptions of what it's like to have a hard time talking. I had multiple kids go through speech therapy, and there are days when I can't seem to talk either.

I loved how the art changed from the rough times to the river moments. This is going in my library!

I highly recommend it for everyone.

caedy's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

lovememybooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0