Before the rebellion, everyone in the city of Ark could only speak List, a language of just 500 words. When Letta became the Wordsmith, the keeper of all the words that have ever existed, she learned that being able to express yourself is what makes you human. Now, the new ruler has wicked plans to eliminate language once and for all: If a baby never hears a single word, they will never speak. -- adapted from jacket.

"Originally published as Mother Tongue in 2019 in Ireland by Little Island Books."