Speechless

She can't walk. She can't even talk. But she has so much to tell you...

Eleven year old Harriet has Cerebral Palsy. At her new Secondary School, she is bullied and ridiculed every day and she doesn't know how to make friends.

Charlotte tries - but how do you talk to someone who won't talk back?

When Harriet's mum is rushed into hospital, her Grandmother, Gloria has far more important things to worry about than Harriet. Like whether her nail polish matches her outfit.

Jake, Harriet's brother, starts skipping school and acting weird. Harriet can see he's in danger but what can she do?

Harriet is plucky and resilient but is she brave enough to face up to her challenges?

Whether you are ten or one hundred and ten, Speechless is a brutally frank, debut novel to read in one sitting and pass on to your friends. Its powerful message will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Perfect for fans of RJ Palacio's Wonder and Sharon M.Draper's Out of My Mind.

Kate Darbishire has a daughter with Cerebral Palsy and worked in Special Needs Schools for ten years.

About the Author
Darbishire, Kate: - "Kate Darbishire studied Creative Writing and Education at Bath Spa University as a mature student while her four children were either at school or nursery. She thought she'd be a teacher and continue writing as a hobby. It soon became obvious that writing wasn't just a hobby for her: it was a passion - she would be a children's author! But there was a problem. One of her daughters, who has Cerebral Palsy, couldn't walk at four years old and had no speech. She had used Makaton sign language from nine months but made almost no noise at all. Kate took her on an amazing speech and language course and finally realised how to help her speak. It was a slow process, but now that little girl is a grown up. She can walk and she never stops talking. Kate worked as a Teaching Assistant in Special Needs Schools, helping lots of other youngsters with various needs. It is a job she loved but ever nagging at the back of her mind was that dream of becoming a children's author. And one particular book was demanding to get out: Speechless! If you would like to connect with Kate on social media, her facebook page is Kate Darbishire and to find out what people are saying about Speechless or find great resources for the classroom, check out the website... http: //www.katedarbishire.com"