The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press

Todd is about to have his 13th birthday.  It is well known that he becomes a man at the age of 13.  He lives in a community of only men.  All of the women have died.  Todd and all of them males in the community hear constant noise, they are able to hear the thoughts of anyone around them.  Until, one day when Todd hears a silence. He soon realizes that the silence is a girl. The pair, along with his dog are soon on the run from the men in the community.  Todd soon learns the secrets of his community. Women were killed because of their silence, the men couldn't read them and were threatened.  

The speech and purpose misspellings made this book a little frustrating to read.  I had to get used to it.  The talking dog was one of my favorite characters.

I would recommend this book for grades 8 and up.