All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever.

When I first picked up this book, I had no idea it was historical. This story takes place during settler-like time: Roswell Station is a farming community, there is no electricity or amenities, and the school is one big room with one teacher teaching all grades levels. The summary didn’t really convey this, so I was a little surprised once I figured it out. It didn’t take long, and I settled into it nicely.

The story is told in second person, to Judith’s childhood friend, Lucas. She has loved him for as long as she can remember, but her disappearance, and her resulting inability to speak, has put some distance between them. I really enjoyed watching Judith grow throughout this story. She starts out practically worshipping Lucas, believing him to be perfect, but then she figures out that he’s human, makes mistakes, and is no better or worse than most other people in Roswell Station. She gets there slowly and realistically, and finds herself along the way.

The details behind her abduction are slowly revealed as well. We get just enough information to answer a few questions, and just enough teasers to keep us reading. I could not put this book down because I had to know the full story. And, once all is revealed, the details are both surprising and expected. There are tiny clues planted throughout that make perfect sense once we get to the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and its characters. Definitely recommended.