Johnson, Angela. Humming Whispers. New York: Orchard Books, 1995.
In Humming Whispers, we see the effects mental illness has on the family. This story is told by Sophie, a fourteen year-old girl who lives with her older sister and aunt. Her sister, Nicole, is schizophrenic. She constantly disappears, following the voices in her head. Sophie’s life becomes overwhelmed with fear. Fear for her sister, fear for her family, and most significantly fear for herself. Sophie worries that she too may be schizophrenic. Her anxieties cause her to disassociate herself with her surroundings. Humming Whispers describes heartbreak and joys of this family’s life.
This was a very well written book. Not only does this novel discuss issues concerning mental illnesses, it also covers the struggles of African Americans (shown by Sophie, Nicole, and Aunt Shirley) and of Jewish persons (Miss Onyx). This novel in particular focused a lot on how mental illness affects the family. I feel it provided realistic situations; Sophie feels both frustration and empathy and understanding for her sister. At one point she states, “I know what she would be without the sickness and the medicine and the doctors” (Johnson 10). I also like the fact that Sophie feared that she too may be schizophrenic. This revealed the fact that schizophrenia is a genetic disease. It diminishes the stereotype that individuals with mental illnesses are simply “crazy” because of something they have done.
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