The List

By Patricia Forde

Book #1 in the The List series

In a world of 500 words, Letta must choose between silence and rebellion to save language itself.

3.7/5 Goodreads · 6,654 ratings

368 pages· 70,000 words· Est. 8 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

In Ark, speech is limited to 500 words. Letta, the Wordsmith's apprentice, inherits the task of preserving language. When her master vanishes, she discovers a plot to erase words entirely. Meeting a boy who knows forbidden words, Letta faces a choice: comply with oppressive rules or risk everything to protect language and culture. As she navigates this dangerous path, Letta must decide if she will fight for the freedom of expression or watch as silence consumes her world. Can she save the words that define humanity before they disappear forever?

“How can we dream if we don't have words?”

— from the book

From the publisher

In the city of Ark, speech is constrained to five hundred sanctioned words. Speak outside the approved lexicon and face banishment. The exceptions are the Wordsmith and his apprentice Letta, the keepers and archivists of all language in their post-apocalyptic, neo-medieval world. On the death of her master, Letta is suddenly promoted to Wordsmith, charged with collecting and saving words. But when she uncovers a sinister plan to suppress language and rob Ark’s citizens of their power of speech, she realizes that it’s up to her to save not only words, but culture itself.

At a glance

Format: Paperback
Pages: 368
Words: 70,000
Reading age: 10–14
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: HL600L

Themes & topics

Books about languages Books about vocabulary Books about rescues and rescuing Books about the environment Books about adventure and adventurers

Good to know

Stories behind the story

What inspired you to write The List?

I am bi-lingual. I speak English and Irish, but Irish is now considered by many to be a dying language. I became interested in minority languages as a teenager and have researched the topic ever since. I was especially interested in how languages die. From all that thinking about language and words I had an idea for a story where words were limited. How many words do you need to survive?

What readers & critics say

Reviews

“Forde's pacing and characterization are compelling...An intriguing speculation about authoritarian futures with a terrific cover.”

Kirkus

Critic

“Forde's exploration of languages both weapon and savior is a noble one, and environmental undertones bolster its power. Pair with Patrick Ness's The Knife of Never Letting Go.”

Booklist

Critic

For readers who can't stop at one