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Jaxon MacKenzie, a mute, yet secretly literate, 12-year-old girl, discovers a faded newspaper article documenting the greatest train wreck in American history—an event that claimed the life of her grandfather’s best friend, Oliver Pack. That night Jaxon is whisked through an old painting in her grandparents’ parlor, back to July 1918 in an attempt to prevent the accident. Miracul... More

Jaxon MacKenzie, a mute, yet secretly literate, 12-year-old girl, discovers a faded newspaper article documenting the greatest train wreck in American history—an event that claimed the life of her grandfather’s best friend, Oliver Pack. That night Jaxon is whisked through an old painting in her grandparents’ parlor, back to July 1918 in an attempt to prevent the accident. Miraculously, she finds herself able to speak for the first time.

Jaxon meets three friends: Sara Hale, Dewey MacKenzie, and Oliver. Soon Jaxon realizes her mission in this world of horse-drawn carts and prejudice is to save Oliver from dying aboard one of the ill-fated passenger cars, filled with young black men on their way to Nashville to work making gun powder for the war effort. With the government’s takeover of the railways during World War I, and a calamity of human error, the train cannot be stopped from its fate, and the responsibility of saving Oliver Pack is planted firmly on the shoulders of this remarkable young lady.

There Are No Words includes a Readers’ Guide and an extensive Appendix for parents and teachers of more than forty online resources related to this story and autism.

“There Are No Words has a great deal to say! Its message is hopeful and timeless, and in my opinion, especially appropriate for young people who, though educated alongside their peers with autism, may not yet give them their due. Author Mary Calhoun Brown is to be commended for not only turning out a remarkable work of fiction, but also for making available a curriculum guide that further explores important themes and expands upon the message that, adversity is no match for the human spirit!” ~ Diane Twachtman Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Autism Spectrum Quarterly, Spring 2010

"I can definitely say that your book will be chosen for the ‘Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities 2011’ by the IBBY Documentation Centre in Norway… Your book is a beautiful, genuine story about love and friendship, and I think you have captured the true hyper sensitivity to touch and sounds that so many autistic persons experience. I can honestly tell you that when Jaxon said goodbye to her new friends and slipped back through the painting and into her own world, it brought tears to my eyes." ~Heidi Cortner Boiesen, IBBY DOCUMENTATION CENTRE OF BOOKS FOR DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE, Norway

“The author writes with so much detail that you will find yourself cheering for Jaxon during her adventure and learning so much from her even though she is unable to speak. This book will be adored by young teens, teachers and parents.” ~Reviewed by Lara Blanchard, M.A., BCBA, MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome

“Quill says: A dream-like adventure that reads like poetry while challenging stereotypes.” Feathered Quill Book Reviews
2010 International Book Awards: Winner, Young Adult Fiction;
2010 Eric Hoffer Award: Honorable Mention, YA Fiction;
Kentucky Book Festival Finalist; Eric Hoffer Award Finalist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Calhoun Brown tells stories about things that matter, weaving colorful and sensitive characters into history for a generation that prefers to be entertained rather than educated. Brown has spent most of her professional career writing and editing non-fiction. She wrote extensively for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce before moving on to help create the Partnership for Financial Education. Brown is an advocate for children and adults with autism. She also partners with educators to create curriculum guides for her novels so teachers and home-school parents can meet state requirements while making the most of classroom and planning time.

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