Finding Phoebe

by Ellie Katz

Phoebe Carasso got through high school in silence. She had a serious speech impediment; in social situations, she was given to stuttering. When he could, Phoebe’s twin brother, David, saved the day by serving as her spokesman. For the most part, however, their fellow students and teachers knew not to badger her.

Now in college, with David studying out of state, Phoebe has no choice but to change her modus operandi. Though it isn’t easy, for the first time in her life, she makes friends and takes risks.

Her world used to be defined entirely by her small, Sephardic New York family. Now, it expands through new encounters that cross cultures, nationalities, and life experiences.

On a journey of self-discovery, Phoebe learns how to field increasingly complex situations, going from someone who observes life from the shadows to an active participant.

This vibrant coming-of-age story will leave readers embracing the idea that change is possible.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ellie Katz, holistic psychotherapist and author, lives in a mountain village outside Jerusalem with her husband of fifty years, sculptor Michael Katz. She has written five books, including When Sane People Do Insane Things, Ten Men and Women Recount Their Stories of Addiction, and My Last Summer as a Far Girl. Her stories reflect decades of experience hoisting the human spirit.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

480 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2025

Reviews

[Kristi Drillien · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heart of this story is overall well done, with Phoebe learning who she is without her brother and trying to navigate social situations that she used to avoid. Though "avoid" really means that she went to social events with her brother but sat in the corner. What I find the most interesting about this book is the exploration of an introvert that might not be a true introvert, but only became such due to psychological issues. Her stutter does not manifest around people she's comfortable with, so being around strangers or mere acquaintances, which during her adolescence included everyone outside of her family, she either wouldn't speak or would give only the shortest of responses when addressed. Thus, she'd be wiped out from every social encounter, which is the mark of an introvert. However, to my mind, at least, when Phoebe gets out into the bigger world, she actually seems quite happy to be around people. Maybe not to the point where she gains energy from it, as an extrovert would, but when she's mostly with friends and in situations she's grown comfortable with, she doesn't seem as sapped of energy when she doesn't spend as much time trying to avoid stutter. It made me question the source of my own introvertedness, if perhaps it at least wouldn't be as strong as it is if I didn't have the social anxiety issues that I have.

On the other side of things, though, this book suffers from being fairly bloated. There is a lot of focus on what is being eaten at meals, on outings Phoebe and various friend groups go on, and on minor details in the plans being made for those outings that are completely unnecessary to the story. By the halfway point, I started to do a lot of skimming when Phoebe and her friends were going to go ice skating or to a museum, and I think the book could have been cut down by at least 100 pages and not suffered any loss to the story and character development.

Phoebe herself comes across as nearly a Mary Sue. Yes, she has a couple of flaws, but outside of her stutter and a stubbornness that crops up close to the end of the book, she's interested in everything, great at everything she tries, and, even though she spent all of her life until now in silence, somehow a great friend and host without really having to try too hard. She attracts everyone she meets, whether they knew her when she was still quietly sitting in her brother's shadow or have only met her as she's tried to break free. And there are times when she is talking to someone she only just met, says more than the 2-3 words that help her avoid her stutter—multiple full sentences that I thought must be a triumph for her, but turned out to not be anything? Maybe she was doing her other trick, very carefully enunciating the words, and the author felt it would be tedious to explain that every single time she did that, but since the alternative is that Phoebe just doesn't stutter and somehow isn't aware that she's managed to avoid it, I think the reminder would have still been helpful.

Due to Phoebe's tendency to be great at nearly everything she tries her hand at, this book has almost no conflict. Her brother provides most of it, but overall, it feels really shallow and...nice. I don't know another word for it. Maybe because the book's author is a psychotherapist, the characters are really good at analyzing themselves and each other (when they get past Phoebe's stubbornness and take the time to discuss their issues). It just felt overall shallow and unrealistic to me. However, since my issues with the book are probably more based on my own personal preferences as a reader and a writer, if you're interested in the book, please check out other reviews at the link below.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

[Cayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite easily the best book of the summer! It's Labor Day weekend, so I know many families have just now settled into their new school routines and new chapters of life. This book is a wonderful coming-of-age story that we can relate to in different ways.

I am a deaf reader and I see traits of myself in Phoebe. It's hard to be "the odd one" out. It's hard to navigate your way through social situations because you don't want to draw too much attention to yourself. Phoebe has a wonderful brother, but even brothers can screw it up a bit. The dynamics of their relationship change in that first year of college. It's rough. It's tough. It's heartbreakingly normal. But such is the beauty of life. We either roll with the changes or we stand still and watch life pass us by.

Change is inevitable and you experience it so much in the college years!!! Throughout this book, change is the theme. Her parents, her past, her family history, her roommate, her classmates, etc. Some of the things we experience are not always fair, but we can choose how we respond to it. In fact, the experiences we have in college often shape us for the future.

I love how Phoebe unintentionally finds her way in the performing arts. It's lovely. It's beautiful. It's practically perfect for her. Now I want to get on a stage and join her too!

Five stars! Highly recommend!

[SidR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding Phoebe by Ellen Henkind Katz
Rating: ★★★☆☆
SidR Rating: 3/5 — Mixed Feelings

A quiet introspective novel that traces one woman’s inner and outer journey toward healing. Finding Phoebe explores themes of identity, memory, and the lingering effects of trauma through a character who often feels more observed than fully inhabited.

There’s beauty in the restraint, but also a sense that something essential never quite breaks through. At times, the prose reads more like a therapeutic exercise than a narrative. Still, for readers drawn to character studies and slow, meditative storytelling, this may offer something worthwhile, if not always memorable.

SidR Rating:
⭐⭐⭐ — Mixed Feelings
Enjoyable in parts but inconsistent.
- May contain a few/many grammar errors
- Inconsistent tone, pacing, or development
- Enjoyment may vary by reader preference
- Shows potential, but could use more polish

[Judy Sigal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was a little slow at the beginning, but a few chapters in it picked up. I liked how the characters were developed and there was a twist that I didn't see coming. The descriptions of college life were realistic and conveyed the thinking of older teens/young adults. The heart of the story for me was between Phoebe and her "little sister". The way Phoebe helped her through bullying was moving. I really appreciated the depiction of how people can grow and change, and work on their old relationships, and how they can still give love and support for others. This theme was also prevalent in Phoebe's relationship with her brother.

[Isis Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Phoebe is a YA/coming of age novel. Phoebe is starting her freshman year of college. This is her first time ever separated from her twin brother. Phoebe learns to navigate friendship and school, while finding herself and battling her anxieties about her speech impediment.

This is so well done. The author does an amazing job relaying all of the emotions of becoming an adult and pioneering college. The story also intertwines Judaism in a way that's informative but not in your face. Really, this novel was a breath of fresh air.

[T. Rash]

I really enjoyed this book. All of the main characters showed great development (except Brooke, who seemed to already have it all together.) I loved the fact that their realizations and changes came gradually, because that made it feel more realistic. Although Finding Phoebe is advertised as a YA, I think most people could relate to one or more of these characters, since there are several different view points involved.

[Jessica Singer-Freud · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, inspiring coming of age story about a rising freshman with a stutter who manages to overcome her insecurities and shine on her own. Loved the dialogue and the characters - including Phoebe's parents and Ananda's grandparents - are so relatable! Definitely recommend this book for a pick me up, especially for anyone who has a loved one who struggles with a stutter (or any challenge).

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in the LibraryThing Early Readers giveaway.

A really nice story of a twin with a speech impediment coming out of the protection of her twin brother as she navigates going to a separate college and parents who rarely see her even when she is right there in the same space.

[catnip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with it, just wasn't for me!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very insightful coming of age story. The author's psychotherapy background allows her to delve into what makes her characters tick on a level seldom seen. It is fascinating to watch Phoebe find herself. I found this to be a very enjoyable read. I received this book free from LibraryThing to read and review.

[JULIA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won this on librarything! This story follows an extremely shy young girl heading off to college while her twin brother has decided to go to a different college without mentioning it to her. The problem is, all her life, he has been the one to speak for her, make friends and bring her along, and cover for her shyness and stuttering problem by speaking for her. How her unplugged parents never pick up on this seems unrealistic, even if the twins were raised by their Nona and Papu. It is a slow burn of a story with a lot of wasted writing on food and Jewish tradition that are not relevant to the storyline. The author could have cut at least 100 pages out of this book and not hurt the storyline. Otherwise, a decent read.