The River Speaks
Twelve-year-old Roman Avery finds solace in the creek behind his family's house—the one place where his selective mutism doesn't make him feel broken. When his parents announce they're selling their home to move closer to a specialized school, Roman's carefully constructed world begins to crumble.
As moving day approaches, Roman discovers his mother's childhood journal buried by the creek bank, revealing a surprising connection between his mother's past and his present struggles. When a devastating flood threatens an elderly neighbor's life, Roman must find his voice both literally and figuratively.
At his new school, Roman navigates friendships with the enthusiastic Lily, the analytically brilliant Elijah, and other members of the river monitoring team. As he learns to bridge the waters of his past with his present, Roman discovers that his unique way of seeing the world has value—and that sometimes the quietest voices have the most important things to say.
Excerpt
Something caught his attention downstream—a glint of metal where there should have been only earth and stone. The rain had washed away part of the soil, revealing something metallic partially buried in the exposed earth.
He made his way carefully along the bank. Crouching, he peered at the object, then gently began to dig around it with his fingers. The metal edge became a corner, then a side, until Roman had unearthed a small, mud-caked box.
It was an old tackle box, the once-bright green paint now faded and chipped. The latch was rusted but still functional. With careful fingers, he worked the latch open.
Inside, protected from the elements, were several items: a small journal with a faded floral cover, a collection of smooth river stones, a few Polaroid photographs, and what appeared to be friendship bracelets made of embroidery thread.
Roman wiped his hands on his jeans before picking up the journal. The inside cover bore a name in careful cursive: "Eliza Greenwood."
His mother's maiden name.
He thought he knew the river's secrets. But he never imagined its deepest one belonged to his own mother.
Praise for The River Speaks
"The River Speaks was a terrific read. Elmo Louise has crafted a coming-of-age story in the best sense, one with real heart. I would recommend it to any young adult reader, but really anyone can benefit from being immersed in Roman's journey and pondering life's challenges and triumphs from his quiet but increasingly confident perspective."
— Larry Saunders