What Do You Do When Your Mouth Won't Open?

by Susan Beth Pfeffer

When Reesa's essay about America is choosen to represent her junior high in the county contest, she's thrilled--until she learns she'll have to read the essay in front of five hundred people. If she can't participate in front of a class of twenty-nine, how will she ever speak to five hundred strangers? Reesa decides it's time to take some drastic steps. She's determined to overcome her fear. But is is really possible to cure a lifelong phobia in just two weeks? What if she gets up on the stage and can't open her mouth?

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult

114 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Susan Beth Pfeffer was an American author best known for young adult and science fiction. After writing for 35 years, she received wider notice for her series of post-apocalyptic novels, officially titled "The Life as We Knew It Series", but often called "The Last Survivors" or "Moon Crash" series, some of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Reviews

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What Do You Do When Your Mouth Won't Open?" is a good book for any kid with a social anxiety or phobia to read to see that there are ways to cope and relax. I enjoyed it when I read it as a kid, although some of the relaxation methods seemed ridiculous and embarrassing on their own---then again, I had no fear of public speaking, so maybe the methods were the lesser of two evils. I do remember it over twenty years later, so I'd recommend it as a worthwhile read as well. I don't know why they shortened the name, because it sounds rather nonsensical as simply "Mouth Won't Open."

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about a girl whose essay wins a prize, but then she has to read it aloud at an awards ceremony. She is terrified of public speaking, but manages to take steps to overcome her fear and get help for herself.

[L. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ran across this book recently and read it on an impulse. It is well written and reminds me of students who could not seem to find the confidence to speak up, yet, their written work revealed a hidden talent.