From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—After a devastating find on the beach, Cass is haunted by a voice that is demanding, threatening, and vulgar. It pushes Cass to confront a battle within herself and her new friendships. The latest from the Printz-winning author is a spooky epistolary novel in which the protagonist confesses to her only love about her mental illness and unresolved past traumas whilst also seeking forgiveness. Characters are layered and nuanced, and carry their troubled pasts. The writing is clear and flowing; Lake's depiction of a Jersey Shore town is authentic and well realized. Characters' uncovered histories, their emotional defeats, and the discovery of new information create a genuine narrative exploring mental health issues, vulnerability, and how love can help bridge the two. VERDICT A recommended purchase for all YA collections.—Briana Moore, School Library Journal

Review

"I could not put it down. Whisper to Me is raw and lovely, dark and light, heartbreaking and human, and it left me both aching and filled. Stunning." - Jennifer Niven, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES

"A genuine narrative exploring mental health issues, vulnerability, and how love can help bridge the two. A recommended purchase for all YA collections." - starred review, School Library Journal

"Cassie's charming, self-deprecating narrative and the insight into her mental health are engrossing and moving." - Booklist

"Part murder mystery, part love story, with plenty of drama for Lake's many fans." - Kirkus Reviews

"Cassie is a deeply sympathetic figure . . . Part romance, part crime story, part meditation on mental illness." - Publishers Weekly

"Will haunt readers' memories when they walk along the beaches and piers this summer." - VOYA

"Cassie's story is completely absorbing . . . A fascinating exploration of the possible residues of trauma and the painstaking work of recovery." - BCCB

"Perplexing and disorienting, full of the rich language and heady epiphanies readers have come to expect from the Printz-award winning author." - starred review, School Library Journal on THERE WILL BE LIES

"Impressively unpredictable--a motley mix of taut thriller, transportive fantasy, and poignant coming-of-age . . . Shelby narrates the surreal implosion of her life in an indignant, funny voice, à la Judy Blume." - Entertainment Weekly on THERE WILL BE LIES

"A rare joy to behold." - Booklist on THERE WILL BE LIES

"Suspenseful, complicated . . . A fine exploration of the power of story itself." - Kirkus Reviews on THERE WILL BE LIES

"Lake returns to the mix of reality and fantasy he used to great success in his Printz-winning In Darkness . . . Shelby is highly sympathetic." - Publishers Weekly on THERE WILL BE LIES

"A twisty drama suffused with elements of folklore." - Wall Street Journal on THERE WILL BE LIES

See all Editorial Reviews