Author(s): Maryam Master

Adventure and Real Life Stories | Staff Picks - Helen

Hero doesn't feel like a hero, but sometimes she feels as if the universe is asking her to be one. When Aria, a mysterious boy who never EVER speaks, starts at school and is picked on by His Royal Thug-ness Doofus (Rufus), Hero and her bestie Jaz feel compelled to help. But they're far too chicken to actually do anything heroic, so they befriend Aria and try to uncover the truth about him. What happened to his voice? Where did he come from? What are those three dents on his middle finger? This is the story of a 12-year-old refugee who's trying to establish a new life in Australia, grapple with his past and, most importantly, find his voice. 'Cos, boy, does he have a story to tell.

Helen's review

Exit Through the Gift Shop, Maryam Master’s debut, was a standout last year - difficult subject  (death)  - handled so well, and funny to boot. Maryam’s new book No Words is also brilliantly done.

Aria is the new boy at school. He doesn’t speak and gets bullied. Hero and Jaz are intrigued and end up becoming his friends and defenders - and slowly learning about his background. It turns out that Aria is a poet - and a refugee. With the love of his new friends, Aria slowly gets his voice back. Again Master has managed to make a beautiful story of friendship and love and inject it with humour and fun.