Friday Memes: Silence is Goldfish by Annabel Pitcher

Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.

Silence is Goldfish by Annabel Pitcher. 343 p. Little, Brown and Company, May 17, 2016. 9780316370752.

Publisher synopsis: My name is Tess Turner--at least, that's what I've always been told.

I have a voice but it isn't mine. It used to say things so I'd fit in, to please my parents, to please my teachers. It used to tell the universe I was something I wasn't. It lied.

It never occurred to me that everyone else was lying too.

Fifteen-year-old Tess doesn't mean to become mute. At first, she's just too shocked to speak. And who wouldn't be? Discovering your whole life has been a lie because your dad isn't your real father is a pretty big deal. Terrified of the truth, Tess retreats into silence.

Reeling from her family's betrayal, Tess sets out to discover the identity of her real father. He could be anyone--even the familiar-looking teacher at her school. Tess continues to investigate, uncovering a secret that could ruin multiple lives. It all may be too much for Tess to handle, but how can she ask for help when she's forgotten how to use her voice?

First line: There must be a list on the Internet of what to buy when you're running away, but my phone is typically dead, like I swear it just passes out whenever things get stressful.

Page 56: "It can wait until Saturday morning, can't it?" Mum said when Jack was breathing down my neck to get my homework done one Friday evening. "What difference does it make?"

     "She'll feel better if she gets it out of the way."

     "Have you asked her that" Mum laughed as I half-sprawled on the sofa."She seems happy enough to me."

     "Sit up, Tess." I shuffled around at once. "And take off those ridiculous boots, will you? They're filthy. How many times do I have to tell you?"

I already ache for Tess. The voice is captivating and the writing is lovely. I've only read Ms. Pitcher's memorable debut, My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece. Somehow, I never got to Ketshup Clouds, which was renamed, Yours Truly.