Freaks Like Us by Susan Vaught

  Freaks Like Us by Susan Vaught explores the world of, as our main character Jason (aka. Freak) puts it, alphabets.  Jason is SCZI - schizophrenic, his best buddy Drip is ADHD, and Sunshine, Jason's favorite person in the world is SM - selectively mute.  When Sunshine mysteriously vanishes one day after school, Jason must fight through the voices in his head, try to separate which memories are true and which are a product of his mind, and convince the adults that what he says shouldn't be discounted just because of his alphabet.
  Vaught writes with a clarity that seamlessly connects the voices in Jason's head and everything that is going on outside of Jason.  She highlights the difficulties faced by kids like Jason.  Bullying from other students, suspicion from adults, and some level of fear from loved ones.  While parts of this book were difficult to read, I'm glad I got a look inside the mind of someone like Jason.  I feel like I have been enlightened.  Freaks Like Us was an entertaining read - and so very much more.