Words Fail

A heartfelt story about a twelve year old boy who would do anything to find the right words to reconnect with his dad, even as they both struggle in their relationships with reading.

It’s been a year since Colton’s dad, Joel, left—and it’s Colton’s fault. He’s sure of it. Because it can't be a coincidence that he moved away right after Colton was diagnosed with hyperlexia, which means he has a knack for decoding words, but he struggles with understanding, spelling and retaining them.

When Colton gets a birthday card from his dad that leaves him with more questions than answers, he takes matters into his own hands and is soon on his way from Raleigh to Pittsburgh so they can talk things through, face to face. 

When they reunite, Colton learns why his dad left . . . but it's not for the reasons he thinks. This poignant novel follows a father and son through one transformative summer as they attempt to reconnect and discover whether the right words can close the distance between them.

*This book is set in a font specifically designed to be easier for people with dyslexia to read.