• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

Jelly is as surprised as anyone when he decides that he’s going to win the annual sixth grade speech contest.

Just like that, Joe Alton Miles, better known as Jelly (because his initials are J.A.M. and his best friend’s are P.B.), is faced with overcoming not only his terror of being in the spotlight, but also the wrath of smart, popular Victoria, who believes that the prize (like all prizes) is rightfully hers. At first, Jelly only cares about winning the awesome prize (a new tablet), but as Victoria escalates her campaign against him, Jelly begins to realize that it’s not only the prize that’s at stake, but also his reputation, his self-respect and the friendship he values most. Jelly must dig deep inside himself to find out if he’s strong enough to stand up to Victoria and show everyone what he’s really capable of.

Hilariously funny and just as poignant, Speechless is about finding out who your friends are, giving back, standing up to bullying and finding your own unique voice.

JENNIFER MOOK-SANG lives and writes (while chuckling to herself) with her husband and two sons in Burlington, Ontario. She has a master’s degree in psychology and has worked with children of all ages in health and educational settings. She has volunteered as a reading coach and co-ordinator for literacy programs in local schools. Jennifer was a finalist in the Writing for Children Competition 2014 sponsored by CANSCAIP and The Writer’s Union of Canada. Speechless is her first novel.

Jennifer Mook-Sang's profile page

• Winner, Surrey Schools' Book of the Year
• Short-listed, Red Cedar Award (BC Young Readers' Choice)
• Commended, TD Summer Reading Club Selection
• Short-listed, Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award
• Short-listed, Langley Schools Book of the Year
• Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre
• Short-listed, IODE Canada Violet Downey Award
• Short-listed, OLA Silver Birch Award, Fiction
• Short-listed, Diamond Willow Award (Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice)
• Commended, Resource Links, Best of the Year
• Commended, OLA Best Bets
• Short-listed, CBC Best Books of the Year