The book, “A Quiet Kind of Thunder” by Sara Barnard, is an outstanding story about two unique high school students trying to figure out who they are and who they want to become. The story gives a fresh perspective of the typical girl-meets-boy cheesy storyline.

The book tells the story of Steffi, who is a selectively mute girl who knows a little BSL (British Sign Language), and Rhys, a deaf student who transfers to her school. Rhys gives Steffe the confidence to begin using her voice. Steffi helps Rhys learn how to function on his own in the “hearing world.” Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery. 

The book is a challenging read because it is real and heartfelt. It pushes the normal boundaries by talking about things that people typically don’t like to talk about, like people who are “different,” to give the reader a unique and interesting look into what high school truly looks like for people who do not fit into the definition of “normal,” Overall, Sara Barnard is an amazing author who is skilled at writing profound books for Young Adult readers. 

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is an enthralling read. Sara Barnard is very good at keeping her readers engaged. Other books by Sara Barnard, which readers might enjoy, include: “Fragile Like Us,” “Goodbye, Perfect,” “Fierce Fragile Hearts,” “Destination Anywhere,” and “Floored.”