For the Long Term

They say that talk is cheap. What if it weren't? What if the government decided to impose a charge on every word or sign? After coordinated terrorist bombings devastate several US cities, the federal government does impose just such a "word tax" to raise the money necessary for greater security against future terrorist activities. Blogger, language lover, and mother of two Jessie Maxwell quickly learns the real price of this tax. Through posts on her blog "For the Long Term," Maxwell shows what really happens on a human level when what you can say depends on what you can pay. This story is both a celebration of language and a cautionary tale.

If you enjoy English or other languages, if you want to learn more about how languages work, or if you delight in learning new vocabulary, then this story is for you.