Four years before the events of the book, Judith and her best friend Lottie vanished from their homes. Two years after her disappearance, Judith returns alone with her tongue cut out, silenced and mutilated. She is shunned by her former friends, and her mother won’t look at her. Illiterate and unable to tell her story out loud, she mutely pours her heart out to her best friend Lucas, whom she is in love with. When the small town she calls her home is attacked, she must choose to remain silent or learn to tell her story.

The first thing I noticed when I picked up this book was the interesting cover. It showed Judith on the front with a rip over her mouth, symbolizing what had happened to her, and giving the reader a look into what the story was going to be about.

Because the entire story is told through Judith’s thoughts, it is easy to get a feel for what Judith is like, and who her character is. She has suffered so much, and to be able to follow her journey while she recovers and makes her story known is amazing. One of my favorite character’s is her older brother, Darrel. While Judith’s mother completely ignores her when she returns, Darrel continues loving her and caring for her, even though his mother disapproves. He even helps her learn to speak again, teaching her every night and guiding her to regain her voice. Judith’s mother completely changes when she finds out about Judith’s mutilation, it’s almost like she is ashamed to have a daughter that isn’t ‘normal.’ I found her mother’s attitude shocking, to see her push away and neglect her own child.

“All the Truth That’s In Me” is not like your usual teen romance book. It has a bit of history mixed in with the mystery and romance, with Judith living in a strict Puritan town where any sort of mutilation is considered the devil’s work. “I loved this book because it’s a great unusual story. Even though it’s set in the past, it feels like it could take place any time. The main character does not speak out loud, but her ‘voice’ is so memorable and vivid,” Ms. Stiles said.

The ending of the book is absolutely perfect. Some parts are predictable, but the story isn’t something you’re expecting either. Everything comes together in the resolution, tying up all the loose ends. “All the Truth That’s In Me” is a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a captivating read that will be impossible to put down.