Woebegone’s Warehouse of Words

MY THOUGHTS

As parents, how often do we tell our children to keep quiet? If there is anything we learn from the news around us today, it is to Speak Up, confidently. That is why Woebegone’s Warehouse of Words is a fascinating book, especially for YA readers. 

Award-winning author Payal Kapadia’s Woebegone’s Warehouse of Words is a delightfully quirky, imaginative, dystopian novel that will capture the attention of young readers. The story is set in a world where words come at a price. It is a time when those who can speak, Speakers need to purchase words to use them. They wear bands around their wrist from where they can order flesh-and-ink words which are then shipped to the Speaker from a mysterious warehouse managed by Mr Woebegone. 

Each of these words has a unique personality and a strong opinion of being shut away in a warehouse. Things are turned around when two teens Asha and Zeb graffiti a wall, one night and use words in a way they aren’t meant to. Zeb gets arrested and Asha tries to get him back. Meanwhile, a dying word convinces the others that they need to escape the warehouse. They cross paths with Asha and Zeb and decide to take on the injustices in Word Bloc. 

A perfect mix of adventure, thrill, and energy, this book will drive home the point of how much we should value our freedom of speech. The characters are interesting and layered and will have you rooting for them throughout their adventure. Readers will relate to the themes of friendship, self-discovery, and what they are capable of when they act together. The fast-paced narrative highlights the magic of language and the chaos that ensues when something we take for granted gets taken away. The humour is sharp and witty, making it a fun read that doesn’t shy away from exploring deeper themes of identity, communication, and the impact of words.

Definitely gift this book to the teen in your life and make sure to discuss it after they read it!