Public speaking phenom, Lexie, is on her way to represent her school at the Speech state finals, with dreams of reaching nationals. But that is before a freckle on her cheek turns out to be a rare form of melanoma, skin cancer, that requires surgery. Now, with a large scar on her face, her world changes and she no longer recognizes herself.

Her confidence has vanished, her friendships are changing and the very thing she has always loved—public speaking—now strikes terror into her heart. When a chance encounter turns into an unexpected friendship, Lexie's feelings about her scar, and herself, are challenged. Can she find a way to explore her ordeal with her ambitions for winning the state Speech competition?

A relatable and easy read for teenagers and young adults about overcoming obstacles, navigating friendships and finding out that our worth is far more than just skin deep.

Deb Kelly is a
multi-award winning, internationally published author of picture books, junior
fiction, short stories and middle grade for children.

Her middle grade
novel The Thing about Oliver (Wombat
Books) was shortlisted in the younger readers category of the Children’s Book
Council of Australia awards, shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia’s Book
of the Year, and won the Australian Association of Family Therapists book of
the year award in the younger readers category. It was recently added to the
NSW school curriculum for Stage 3 students.

Her picture book Me and You (Penguin Viking) won Speech
Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year award (3–5-year-olds) in 2017.

Many of Deborah’s
books are included in Premier’s Reading Challenge lists around Australia. She
frequently visits schools, libraries, and festival events to share her books
with children. She is also a Role Model for Books in Homes and reviews
children’s books for Reading Time magazine.