Stronger than Words

For fans of Jennifer Niven and Nicola Yoon.

Mackenzie Craig is no stranger to struggling. After a childhood marred by poverty and homelessness, she's worked her way up to the number two spot in her graduating class, become a champion debater, and secured a scholarship to a great college. But then Mackenzie collapses at the state debate championships. She's rushed to the hospital where her prognosis is grave--she's having a stroke.

Mackenzie wakes up with right-sided weakness and a speech impairment that hinders her ability to talk or write. She works hard to be able to return to school in time to graduate, but when she overhears one of her classmates insulting her younger sister, Mackenzie doesn't have the words to tell him off, so she punches him.

The boy calls the cops and Mackenzie ends up with an assault charge. When her college finds out about the arrest, they threaten to pull the award. Mackenzie must meet with them to defend her actions before the fall semester starts. But August is only three months away and now Mackenzie's got to fit in community service along with all of her therapy. Can she re-learn to communicate in time for her hearing? Or will her stroke steal away her entire future?

Stronger than Words is an uplifting story about perseverance, hope, and human connection.