Review: Whisper

Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis

publisher: Balzer & Bray (HarperCollins)

release date: April 27th, 2010

edition: hardcover, 281 pages

intended audience: Young adult

rating:


description from bn.com:

I’d love a cup of coffee. I wish she knew how pretty she was. I wish I could drop this kid in the dryer sometimes. I just want her to be happy. I hope she didn’t find out what Ben said about her. I wish I knew how many calories were in a bite of muffin…
Joy is used to hearing Whispers. She’s used to walking down the street and instantly knowing people’s deepest, darkest desires. She uses this talent for good, to make people happy and give them what they want. But for her older sister, Jessica, the family gift is a curse, and she uses it to make people’s lives—especially Joy’s—miserable. Still, when Joy Hears a frightening whisper from Jessica's own mind, she knows she has to save her sister, even if it means deserting her friends, stealing a car and running away with a boy she barely knows—a boy who may have a dark secret of his own.

Review: This a fun, fast read(literally...I read it in a day and a half). And at times very touching. The main character, Joy, has fallen into a pattern of using her ability to hear these "whispers" to please people---to give her friends around her exactly what they want. She's always considered it a wonderful gift, contrary to what her older sister tries to get her to believe. It gets you thinking, what would it be like to have to hear everyone's thoughts and wishes? Could you handle hearing even the bad things, including the thoughts that pertained to yourself? And what would you do with such a power? I really enjoyed watching how Joy grew as a daughter, a sister, a friend---as a whole person. The story moved along smoothly and built up to great satisfying ending. Definitely pick this one up if you have the chance!