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I Have No Secrets
by
Jemma knows who the murderer is. She knows because he told her.
He thought his secret was safe because Jemma can't speak or move.
But Jemma observes all kinds of things about everyone around her. His secret is just one of them.
And when a new technology means she may be able to communicate and reveal all she knows, Jemma no longer feels powerless in the face of this deadly ...more
He thought his secret was safe because Jemma can't speak or move.
But Jemma observes all kinds of things about everyone around her. His secret is just one of them.
And when a new technology means she may be able to communicate and reveal all she knows, Jemma no longer feels powerless in the face of this deadly ...more
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Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
November 5th 2019
by Sourcebooks Fire
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Penny Joelson
That's lovely to hear! So glad you loved it so much!
Penny Joelson
There is a German edition of 'I Have No Secrets'.
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This was a really terrific read that encompassed many things - but the best thing about it was Jemma who's character voice shone through the entirety of the story and kept you on her side from the very opening pages.
So she has cerebral palsy - she cannot communicate but has an active and intelligent brain, misses nothing going on around her and is also somewhat of a deep thinker. Living in a family of fostered children, all with their own issues, one day somebody tells her a secret. A murderer. ...more
So she has cerebral palsy - she cannot communicate but has an active and intelligent brain, misses nothing going on around her and is also somewhat of a deep thinker. Living in a family of fostered children, all with their own issues, one day somebody tells her a secret. A murderer. ...more

Jun 20, 2018
Alice-Elizabeth (marriedtobooks)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2018
This book was recommended to me by one of my bookish friends Megan, so thanks so much for the reading rec because I was most definitely not disappointed with this standalone thriller! I Have No Secrets follows fourteen year old Jemma who has cerebral palsy and cannot communicate. We as a reader can hear what she is thinking but no words are spoken by her out loud. Down the road she lives on, a local guy has been murdered but the case remains unsolved. Until the murderer himself realises that
...more

I loved, I Have No Secrets! I read this book aloud to my six year old daughter after reading a review strongly recommending it for children six and up if there was an adult to explain any questions that may arise. My daughter and I had so many great conversations while reading and the days since we finished. My daughter was so empathetic towards the main character and really put herself in Jemma’s shoes thinking about how difficult it would be to not be able to communicate.
We were both ...more
We were both ...more

‘I Have No Secrets’ by Penny Joelson (2017) is a contemporary thriller aimed squarely at the YA demographic. ‘Secrets’ tells the story of Jemma, an intelligent young teenager, who has severe cerebral palsy, is quadriplegic, for the most part confined to her wheelchair and unable to communicate.
Jemma lives with her foster family – parents, a brother who is severely autistic and a sister with significant behavioural issues and her carer Sarah. The key to ‘Secrets’ essentially that Jemma is unable ...more
Jemma lives with her foster family – parents, a brother who is severely autistic and a sister with significant behavioural issues and her carer Sarah. The key to ‘Secrets’ essentially that Jemma is unable ...more

**Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy of I HAVE NO SECRETS in exchange for my honest review**
GRADE: A
Jemma, confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak due to Cerebral Palsy, is used to listening. People tell her everything, even dark secrets, because they know she'll never know. Her carer's boyfriend even tells her he murdered someone. When he finds out she may be able to communicate through a new technology, she may not be safe.
I HAVE NO SECRETS is one of the most ...more
GRADE: A
Jemma, confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak due to Cerebral Palsy, is used to listening. People tell her everything, even dark secrets, because they know she'll never know. Her carer's boyfriend even tells her he murdered someone. When he finds out she may be able to communicate through a new technology, she may not be safe.
I HAVE NO SECRETS is one of the most ...more

I Have No Secrets is a page turning debut thriller by Penny Joelson. The paperback is a must buy - must read. I appreciate Penny Joelson's writing with the quality of each character that really impressed me making me want to read on and know more about each one.
This remarkable tale is about fourteen year old Jemma who is disabled she has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Jemma is unable to move, speak or communicate in any way. Her foster family and carer do everything for her.
...more
This remarkable tale is about fourteen year old Jemma who is disabled she has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Jemma is unable to move, speak or communicate in any way. Her foster family and carer do everything for her.
...more

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Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sending me a free advanced reader copy of this book for an honest review. A quick note that I’m a bit confused about the publication date of this book. As far as I can tell it was originally published in 2017 and is being re-released. NetGalley says the new edition came out September 1st, while Goodreads says it comes out November 15th. So basically you can buy a copy of this book right now, but I’m not ...more
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sending me a free advanced reader copy of this book for an honest review. A quick note that I’m a bit confused about the publication date of this book. As far as I can tell it was originally published in 2017 and is being re-released. NetGalley says the new edition came out September 1st, while Goodreads says it comes out November 15th. So basically you can buy a copy of this book right now, but I’m not ...more

Dec 01, 2019
Caidyn (SEMI-HIATUS; BW Reviews; he/him/his)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
mystery-horror-thriller,
young-adult-fiction
CW: death, murder, kidnapping, ableism, foster system, cerebral palsy, and threats of assisted suicide/murder
When I started hearing about this book, I wasn't sure how it would be. A character with cerebral palsy who has information about a murder? But the illness is so severe that she can't communicate what she knows? Then more shit starts happening?
My main worry was that the disability wouldn't be handled well in the first place, but it really was. I loved how Joelson took the topic and has ...more
When I started hearing about this book, I wasn't sure how it would be. A character with cerebral palsy who has information about a murder? But the illness is so severe that she can't communicate what she knows? Then more shit starts happening?
My main worry was that the disability wouldn't be handled well in the first place, but it really was. I loved how Joelson took the topic and has ...more

As someone who lives Cerebral Plasy, it is lovely to read a book where the main character has the condition, though I'm not as severe as the character in the book I found it very relatable. The story itself is unique and different. The main character Jemma is absolutely brilliant I couldn't put it down it was a fantastic read.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own
I Have No Secrets
By: Penny Joelson
*REVIEW*
Imagine someone casually telling you they committed murder because they know you won't tell anyone else. This is Jemma's situation in I Have No Secrets. Jemma is 16 with severe cerebral palsy. Although at a normal intelligence level, she cannot move or speak. This makes her the perfect sounding board for any and all ...more
I Have No Secrets
By: Penny Joelson
*REVIEW*
Imagine someone casually telling you they committed murder because they know you won't tell anyone else. This is Jemma's situation in I Have No Secrets. Jemma is 16 with severe cerebral palsy. Although at a normal intelligence level, she cannot move or speak. This makes her the perfect sounding board for any and all ...more

“I’ve been this way all my life. I can see, though, and I can hear, and sometimes people forget that; they don’t realise that I have a functioning brain. Sometimes people talk about me as if I’m not even there. I hate that.”
This book was a great read and a real eye opener.
Jemma has severe cerebral palsy and as a result she cannot move, only involuntarily, and she cannot talk, but her mind is very much alive. This is a very important YA crime novel addressing disability and yet in no way focusing ...more
This book was a great read and a real eye opener.
Jemma has severe cerebral palsy and as a result she cannot move, only involuntarily, and she cannot talk, but her mind is very much alive. This is a very important YA crime novel addressing disability and yet in no way focusing ...more

Jemma can't talk. She can't walk, move, sing, dance, or eat. She can't go to the bathroom by herself. But she can think. And she can see. And sometimes, people forget that. They do things they shouldn't do in front of her. It's no big deal. Who is she going to tell, anyway?
Jemma doesn't feel the need to communicate, either. She was taught to blink "yes" and "no" when she was little, but then she got an infection, and woke up unable to control her eye movements. She never told anyone that she was ...more
Jemma doesn't feel the need to communicate, either. She was taught to blink "yes" and "no" when she was little, but then she got an infection, and woke up unable to control her eye movements. She never told anyone that she was ...more

Jemma is 14 and suffers from cerebral palsy; her family know she is smart, but she is completely unable to communicate with anyone. People often confide in her because they know she can never reveal their secrets; this becomes dangerous when Dan, her carer's boyfriend, taunts her with the knowledge of a violent crime he claims he has committed...
A gripping thriller and a sensitive, empathic look at life from a different perspective, this is a page-turner that makes you think.
Perfect for fans of ...more
A gripping thriller and a sensitive, empathic look at life from a different perspective, this is a page-turner that makes you think.
Perfect for fans of ...more

I really enjoyed this. Jemma is a well-written character. I found myself getting frustrated with her. The mystery aspect was good but I actually found that I was more interested in reading about Jemma's everyday life with her carer and foster siblings. I really felt for Olivia ad I like to think that everything will work out for her, too.

A copy of this book was sent to me from the publisher via Netgalley, with thanks to both.
Title: I Have No Secrets
Series: N/A
Author: Penny Joelson
Overall Rating: 4 stars
This book was unexpected, I didn't know anything about this story or this author before going into it. I was pleasantly surprised. Having a main character that is non verbal is no easy feat for a story to still be told, and Jemma's cerebral palsy was presented in a really good way. The author didn't try to sugar coat ...more
Title: I Have No Secrets
Series: N/A
Author: Penny Joelson
Overall Rating: 4 stars
This book was unexpected, I didn't know anything about this story or this author before going into it. I was pleasantly surprised. Having a main character that is non verbal is no easy feat for a story to still be told, and Jemma's cerebral palsy was presented in a really good way. The author didn't try to sugar coat ...more

This book was such a great book!!
I read it in one day and couldn't fly through it quickly enough.
I was first afraid to read this story because of its emotional impact on me, but it actually turned out to be a quite satisfying read justifying read for me.
It's a YA book and I think because of its genre it didn't go to its full potential. And what I mean by that is, that this book could have gone deeper. I wanted SO much more from the development of Jemma and Jodi's newfound sisterhood, all the way ...more
I read it in one day and couldn't fly through it quickly enough.
I was first afraid to read this story because of its emotional impact on me, but it actually turned out to be a quite satisfying read justifying read for me.
It's a YA book and I think because of its genre it didn't go to its full potential. And what I mean by that is, that this book could have gone deeper. I wanted SO much more from the development of Jemma and Jodi's newfound sisterhood, all the way ...more

Everyone thinks Dan is a wonderful guy. Everyone that is, except Jemma. She knows the truth. Her family is blind to his true character, as well as her home aide and his girlfriend, Sarah. Wheelchair bound from cerebral palsy and unable to speak, Dan confides in her that he murdered someone and treats her poorly when no one is looking.
When Sarah goes missing, Jemma desperately wants to tell someone what she knows. Then a new technology presents itself, that may help her communicate, and help the ...more
When Sarah goes missing, Jemma desperately wants to tell someone what she knows. Then a new technology presents itself, that may help her communicate, and help the ...more

What I liked: I thought the author did a great job of creating a smart, interesting protagonist with a severe disability and really getting the reader inside her life, her body and her mind. I loved that the parents were so compassionate and yet real in their emotions regarding the difficulty of foster parenting three special needs children. I liked that children with disabilities were portrayed with so much dignity and actually, at the very center of the story, when so often they are relegated
...more

This was such a refreshingly different read, quite unlike anything I have ever read before most of which is down to the narrator. Jemma has severe cerebral palsy - she can’t speak, move or do anything for herself. She lives with her foster parents, her two foster siblings, and her full-time carer, Sarah. It has so many ups and downs with her family life and people telling her secrets because they know she can’t tell, and then Sarah goes missing and Jemma is the only one who knows what could have
...more

This is a very moving and inspirational book. Jemma unable to speak or control her body lives in a foster home. She gets stared at and made fun of by people she meets but she's not stupid and she can see and hear everything. People tell her all sorts of things because they know she can't say anything. Her carer, Sarah, has a horrible boyfriend but everyone seems to really like him. He charms everyone but when he's left alone with Jemma he shows his true colours. He tells her that he has murdered
...more

Jemma is a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. She can't speak or move her body to communicate. She was put up for adoption and has lived with her family since she was 2 years old. They also have two foster kids, Olivia and Finn. Sarah is Jemma's support worker who lives with them. Since Jemma can't speak, people tell her their secrets because they assume she can't hear as well. But Jemma knows everything that's happening. She even knows more than most people because she knows their secrets.
...more

I got this book from nysbg organised by Bookends Bookclub. I had been eyeing this book for awhile before that and requested this book when I joined the event. Tq so much my secret giver...
This book started promisingly and then in the middle I started to fear for the MC life. I don’t think I want to give spoilers here, but I love the ending. I teared up a bit, only a bit because I was in a public place while reading that part. Won’t do to cry my heart out right?
Reading this book made me realized ...more
This book started promisingly and then in the middle I started to fear for the MC life. I don’t think I want to give spoilers here, but I love the ending. I teared up a bit, only a bit because I was in a public place while reading that part. Won’t do to cry my heart out right?
Reading this book made me realized ...more

A gripping novel. Jemma, the main character, is an intelligent, sensitive teenager. Because of her condition she relies on her sometimes chaotic family and her carer for everything. Jemma is unable to speak, but she knows lots of things. She can see and she can hear and people sometimes tell her their secrets, because they think it's safe and she can't tell anyone. Some people have the sort of secrets that are dangerous and put lives at risk. This was a compelling read and I couldn't put it
...more

This book has got it all - a page turner with some real surprises and heart-stopping moments, but also gives you a view of the world that most people have probably not seen before. It's written from the point of view of a girl with cerebral palsy, and aside from the criminal/mystery part of it, it follows her struggles to communicate. Highly recommended!!

The story revolves around Jemma, who has a severe form of cerebral palsy; she needs round the clock care with all physical functions such as the need to be fed and be assisted in a wheelchair. Her mental faculties, on the other hand, are functional as she is able to understand people and things around her perfectly fine. The problem is Jemma cannot communicate which becomes particularly problematic when her aide Sarah, whom Jemma adores, is in trouble from a sleazy boyfriend, Dan. In a private
...more
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“I've realised something important. Being able to communicate doesn't mean that anyone's going to listen.”
—
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“But I guess sometimes there is nothing you can say. It's just being there that's important.”
—
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