Kat Got Your Tongue

by Lee Weatherly

After a terrible car accident, Kat wakes up with no idea who she is, and no memory of anything before the crash. She doesn't even recognize her mum, much less her friends from school—Poppy, Jade, and the mysterious Tina. Only after she finds her old diary—written in a voice no longer her own—does Kat begin to discover the terrible secrets of her previous life.

This incredible novel explores the damage amnesia can do to a family, and how one girl struggles to reconcile her new personality with her old.

Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult, Fiction, Teen, Family

208 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2007

About the author

Lee Weatherly was born in 1967 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She lives with her husband in Hampshire, England, where she writes, goes on walks, collects frogs, and has a cat named Bernard.

Lee Weatherly also writes under the pseudonyms L.A. Weatherly, Kitty Wells, and Titania Woods.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am reading htis for this nook report I have to do in Language Arts. Its about a girl who gets hit by a car and gets amnesia and apparently she did something really bad before she got amnesia but her "friends" wont tell her... ITs kinda boring so far and a little sad but I really want to know what she did wrong!! ugh!!...

[Angi Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book astonishing. I read my daughter's copy, in one sitting - just amazing! Why? Well, I remember being 14 and the author's empathy with her main character is gut wrenching - I actually spent most of this book in tears!

[Bee Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this back in middle school (around 2007) and i reread it last night and dang. it's pretty darn good. The depiction of depression is spot on. I didnt quite get it when i was younger, but after going through some tough times and some pretty low lows, as an adult i see what i went through described in this book. some parts really hit me in the feels. This is definitely a good book to try to introduce the concept of trauma and depression for preteens/teens. love this book

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this is a tween book, but it had no right being this good..
like I literally read it in one sitting

☆ 3.5 rounded up

[BlueHummingbirds · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Kathy is involved in a car accident, she wakes up with amnesia. She cannot remember her mother, her friends, even her own name. Granting herself the nickname 'Kat' as a reminder that she is starting afresh, she finds a journal written by herself, detailing a horrible event Kat was involved in-and possibly to blame for. When her friends at school begin to ignore her and accuse her of a horrible deed, Kat becomes certain that she did something terrible...she just can't remember what.

(Review in the spoiler tags.)

I liked this book. It wasn't groundbreaking or amazing, but it definitely kept your attention throughout. I loved how Kat wasn't a perfect character (in fact she was quite dislikable at times), but she still owns up to her mistakes and her friends and you, as the reader, forgive her. I also liked that whilst Kat achieves forgiveness, the ending isn't wrapped up in a pretty little bow. The horrible thing that Kat did wasn't anti-climatic either. Stealing Tina's violin was a very mean and spiteful thing to do, but I found that Kat's guilt over it was extremely realistic. I also really liked how when Tina makes moves to get her own back on Kat by smashing her possession, Tina isn't painted as the bad guy, and neither is Kat; the author acknowledges that they both make mistakes, and I found myself liking and sympathising with both characters for very different reasons.

I also liked Poppy quite a bit, although I must say I didn't like Jade at all-but again, Jade wasn't painted as the 'villain' of the story, simply somebody who was trying to get her own back on the person who hurt one of her friends. Beth was also very realistic, how despite Kat getting annoyed with her constantly asking about her memory, you could understand both Kat and Beth's reasoning.

To be honest, I don't have any major gripes with the book on the whole, but it wasn't consitently interesting for me; a few times I found myself flicking through to a more thought-provoking part.

All in all, it's a good book, and one I'd probably read again. The characters are very realistic, and all have their own flaws and are developed nicely. It can be a little slow at times, and might not be for everyone, but I'd definitely reccommend maybe checking it out of the library to see what you think.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Kat is hit by a car. All she remembers is a bang and a circle of staring faces. An ambulance takes her to the hospital where they determine she has amnesia.

After a few days of observation in the hospital, Kat returns home. It may be home, but she doesn't recognize a thing. Not her mother, her mother's boyfriend, her house, her room - nothing. Everyone tries to be understanding, but it is not easy for anyone.

Dr. Perrin, a psychologist, tries to get to the bottom of the problem and suggests it might be related to something with no connection to the accident. That doesn't really help Kat. All she knows is that her closet is full of clothes she never remembers wearing, everyone calls her Kathy and that doesn't seem right, and her mother seems desperate for her to remember something, anything.

When it is no longer reasonable to stay at home, Kat returns to school. Instead of finding familiar faces or help in recalling her past, she is met by strange looks and rude behavior. Jade and Poppy, who were supposedly her best friends before the accident, are suddenly teasing and taunting her. They seem to know about some terrible thing Kat did before the accident, and they are making her life miserable.

Author Lee Weatherly tells Kat's story from two perspectives. Chapters alternate between Kat's description of her current situation and journal entries from before the accident when Kat was known as Kathy by her friends and family. Readers will keep turning pages as their curiosity grows. What terrible thing did Kat do and will she ever regain her past?

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I was an middle school English teacher I would make my students read this

[Dracolibris · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a car wreck, Kathy (now Kat) is taken to the hospital and discovers, much to her horror, that she remmebers almost nothing from before the accident. Sure, she can read and write, walk and talk, but she doesn't recognize her mother, or even her own face in the mirror. Why did she, as the witnesses say, run right out on front of that car? Who was the girl that apparently once had lots of friends, but is now shunned at school? What happened to the past, and what will it mean for Kat's future?

This book was a fun, fast read that I enjoyed quite a bit. As Kat tries to piece together her past and figure out who she was, what she liked, and where to go from this new beginning point, the reader is along with her for the ride as she uncovers one tantalizing tidbit after another. The end solved the mystery of what Kat did to make all her friends hate her, but doesn't wrap everything up and tie it with a neat little bow, which I quite liked.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat is in a car accident and her memory is gone. She doesn't recognize her mum, she doesn't recognize her relatives, she doesn't know what kind of music she likes, and she has no idea what happened with her best friends that caused them to hate her so much. In alternating chapters, we hear from Kat post-accident and we see diary entries from Kathy pre-accident. As the novel builds, we figure out exactly what happened between Kathy and her friends just as Kat is moving towards fixing things herself. I was rooting for Kat all the way and I loved how Weatherly really made Kathy and Kat separate characters even though they're the same person. Another really interesting look at amnesia and getting a clean slate. I'd definitely recommend this one to fans of British chick lit or anyone looking for an interesting story with great characters.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ONLY book that I have read soooo many times in my life. It's a truly amazing plot, and when she faces the truth of her 'past' self I felt how desperate she was, and I feel like I'm in her shoes!



Although the storyline of this book isn't very complex, I especially liked the add-in of her desperate Mum and her sudden liking to Richard. Also, a real winner for me was how the story was told in two perspectives, but unlike most other stories, the two sides are describing two different times, the past and the present.

I really recommend this amazing, amazing book. I 100% guarantee that you're eyes will stay glued to it just like a TV screen.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat got your tounge is a story about a girl who, after being hit by a car, has gotten amnesia and can't remember who she was. When she goes to school the girls that were supposed to be her friends are avoiding her and think that she's faking the amnesia and Kat really wants to find out why but can't remember. It is told half from her point of view now and half from before the accident and it all builds up to the end where you discover what it is that she's done to make her friends hate her and what she does after. It's a very interesting story and it really makes you think about what would happen to you if you got amnesia, how you would cope with it and how one event in your life can lead up to a chain of a million others. I think that it's a well written and thought provoking story.

[Keyani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kat got your tongue was a good book it was about a girl who got hit by a car and she loses her memory. the story goes back into time when before the accident happens . She didnt not like her mums boyfriend and everybody couldnt figure out what was the big deal. But whats ironic is when she gets into the accident its different she likes her moms boyfriend. She cant remember anything who her friends are and with her mum asking her every 5 mintutes if she remembers anything it is driving her nuts. Her mom trys taking her to family an everything just trying to help her get her memory back. Her mum just wants her child back. This story was okay and i would reccomend it for people that like storys with this headline.

[Elly Lewins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me as a christmas present so i decided to read it . I really enjoyed this book ! it was hard to keep up with though . it is about a girl who suffered a serious ammnesia . Oner chapter is her before the accident , and the next after the accident . eventually the two meet in the middle . it was a really grasping book ! i continueously read it untill i was finished . I didn't really dislike anything about the book . I would reccomend this book to girls aged 12-15 as it is rather simplistic and you will be able to connect with the charatcer better being a young teen . this ticks off a book that teaches you about another place or culture on my bingo board as there is religion through out the book .

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

When 13-year-old Kathy gets hit by a car, she looses her memory about everything, including the tragic events that happened shortly before the accident. Told in alternating point of view between Kathy, before the accident, and Kat, as she prefers to be called, after the accident, each chapter ends in a little cliff hanger urging the reader to continue on to find out what happened. They mystery aspect makes the book an exciting read, but the "tragedy" that leads up to the car accident is a bit of a let down. A great recommendation for a pre-teen girl who likes realistic fiction with a few twists and turns.

[Ella-Maluca Floyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

En simpel historie som klart henvender sig det unge publikum. Historien er god og har en overraskende vending, men den er fortalt i en barnligt sprog – specielt dagbogen er pinagtig barnligt og egoistisk skrevet. Bogen var hurtigt læst, men ikke en fortælling, som gav en masse stof til eftertanke, faktisk var den ufatteligt hurtigt glemt igen.
Kedeligt cover, som ikke skaber blikfang eller vækker interessen. Egentligt valgte jeg at læse bogen fordi den er skrevet at Lee Weatherly, som har skrevet ”Angel”-serie, men nu er jeg virkelig i tvivl om, om det kan passe, at det er den samme forfatter. PYT – bogen er læst og den gav mig ikke just søvnløse nætter.

[Claudia Choi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Kat gets crashed by a car she wakes up but she can't remember anything! Even her name! When she meets her mother she dosen't remember her. She looks like a stranger but where is her father? Who is he? When Kat goes to school again she notices she has problems with her friends. What happened? Will she remember?

[Kaithe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat was got in an accident and she was flying through the air. Then she fell and blood was flowing from her head. She became a victim of amnesia. Her friends came to visit her and she realizes that her friends are mad at her. They never wanted to get close to her. What's wrong with her and her friends? Did she do something bad?

[Kalilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

First read this book in my teens and I was blown away by it, the concept, the character development and everything. The plot stayed with me for years; particularly the amnesia element, hence why I decided to re-read it. I'm glad I did. It was good read, though perhaps not as hauntingly gripping as the first time.

[Andrea Frias · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book has an important lesson on morals, like how we persieve ourselves and how others persieve us. The importance of being decent people. It has mild suspence and an interesting story line an easy and entertaining read.

[Steff S (The Bookish Owl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story had such potential but it felt like it was half finished. There was no reconciliation between Kat and Jade, not a lot of explanation about the model cat. No word on if Kat went back to violin or if she remembered anything else. I feel a bit let down.

[Nuts about Friends · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it

[Saralyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second amnesia YA story in just a couple of months. What are the odds? I preferred this one. Kat was an engaging character; Kathy a frustrating one. Together, they made an interesting story.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book a bit sad i loved it though

[Rose]

Nice amnesia story that’s well balanced to make the MC sympathetic even though she did terrible things before losing her memory.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this when I was about 15 and really liking it. I thought it had lots of good suspense and was interesting.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice psychological mystery, second chances...

[4Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it

[Calista]

It's about a girl who trusts herself to help her out through her amnesia.

[Olivia Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. Really good suspense.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, was quite interesting. The ending was very good.

All teenage girls will enjoy it.
Its a short sweet story