Reviews

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, Sydney Smith

caedy's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

lovememybooks's review against another edition

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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

kelleemoye's review against another edition

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5.0

2021 Schneider Family Book Award Younger Children's Winner

yabetsy's review against another edition

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5.0

A book about a young boy being shown by his father that the stutter that has always overwhelmed him is just one part of him.
This is one of the best books to come out of Canada in 2021 - poet Jordan Scott's background adds authenticity to his touching text, while Sydney Smith's illustrations are as beautiful as always, and could almost be taken for photographs.
Books with the differently-abled at the forefront of a book are rare; those that represent any kind of disability as a natural and not disfiguring or minimizing part of a character are worth remembering.
This is a book that will make and stay on best-seller lists long before it is considered for the TD and Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award.

darcerenity's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a beautiful book. The language is poetic, the illustrations are wonderfully artistic. The narrative is touching. I'm so glad I found this book, it's a treasure.

barbarianlibarian's review against another edition

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3.0

didn't love it

laurenn_mac's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5

beths0103's review against another edition

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5.0

A moving poem about a boy with a stutter. The writing uses accessible figurative language to give the reader an opportunity to better understand what it means to live with a stutter.

theelazyyonee's review against another edition

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5.0

"Shy in speaking? Wanting to stay quiet? Do you ever stutter? Everyone who stutters, stutters differently"

I'm happy I listened to this story instead of reading it. Hearing the author read it all showed me the struggle that he goes through in talking. Talking is a main part of communication (there are other ways of communicating, I do know this) and is normal to people. So when someone doesn't speak like them the teasing starts.

Which makes that person feel alone and want to hide from the world. But I'm glad his father helped him find something to ease his sadness.

Yes, I do stutter. When I get frustrated having a panic attack in front of someone. I don't mean to, I want to hide and not let anyone worry about me. It's also the same when I'm trying to get through to someone who doesn't listen to me at all. The crying, the gasping for air, and stuttering begins. It's not a fun experience at all, I just want to be heard and get the tough words off my chest.

litagentsaritza's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh, my goodness how this book just hits you in the heart and conscience with its beauty! The art punches you in the feels with its fluid, yet frenetic feel as the words slam into your psyche. Have you ever had to THINK about the words your mouth makes? Do you know what words feel like to your body as you shape them?

This story of a young boy’s stuttering and how he comes to terms with how his words flow out of him like a river, sometimes bubbling, whirling, churning is absolutely breathtaking.