"Twelve-year-old Wayne Kovok loses his uncle to war and his voice to a plane crash in the same year and must learn to speak up as he navigates relationships with his father, grandfather, and new friend, Denny Rosenblatt"-- Before, Wayne was a fact-spewing nerd who happened to be kinda-sorta dating the prettiest girl in Beatty Middle School. Not bad. But hardly perfect, either. At home, it was always tough to speak up. He was annoyed by his deadbeat dad, intimidated by his drill-sergeant grandpa, and worried about his heroic uncle in the army. Now Wayne lives in a world of After. After his uncle is killed overseas. After he and his mother survive a plane crash while coming back from the funeral. After he loses his voice. Without the ability to speak, how can Wayne find his place in this new world? How will he stand up to his grandfather, his father, and even his friends? It doesn't take long for Wayne to realize how much he doesn't say - and how much needs to be said. -- from dust jacket.
