Speechless

By: Adam P. Schmitt

Narrated by: Brian Holden

How do you give a eulogy when you can't think of one good thing to say? A poignant, funny, and candid look at grief, family secrets, difficult people, and learning to look behind the façade.

As if being stuffed into last year's dress pants at his cousin's wake weren't uncomfortable enough, 13-year-old Jimmy has just learned from his mother that he has to say a few words at the funeral the next day. Why him? What could he possibly say about his cousin, who ruined everything they did? He can't recall one birthday party, family gathering, or school event with Patrick that didn't result in injury or destruction. As Jimmy attempts to navigate the odd social norms of the wake, he draws on humor, heartfelt concern, and a good deal of angst while racking his brain and his memory for a decent and meaningful memory to share. But it's not until faced with a microphone that the realization finally hits him: It's not the words that are spoken that matter the most, but those that are truly heard.

©2018 Adam P. Schmitt (P)2021 Tantor

Beautifully complicated

As someone with a “Patrick” type kiddo in our life it was a real and honest story that captured the complications of living and loving someone who leaves you often confused and sometimes even hurt. I appreciated how it was honest about the hard situations of a “hard to love” person yet masterfully lead the reader to think deeper about that persons internal struggle and inner workings. We sure hope to be seeing this author pop up with more books in the future!