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Ah, my favorite sport. I have been playing since 8^th grade with probably only two years off total (due to knee surgeries and one pregnancy.)

It is absolutely true that much of my personal voice as a teen became strong as a result of belonging to a team, with the reciprocal effect of feeling the strength of my athletic body back up my voice. I became strong in voice and body, and I believe that it saved my self esteem from drowning.

Volleyball requires connection. It requires learning to communicate with other team members in practice. It requires communication between players in the more stressful situation of a game. If you don't talk distinctly and with confidence on the court, the team can't play well because no other player understands your intentions and the game falls apart.

Anke learned this sport while she learned about different friendships (with Rona, Kyler, even Angeline) and discovered intolerance of her home life. Her confidence is most directly gained in volleyball, with Coach Roy (based on my own high school coach and rock-of-encouragement, Roy Swanson,) and Anke grew stronger and more vocal in every aspect as the story progressed. Eventually she used her new voice as a way to be heard in her family, and used her new physical strength to center herself in her quickly growing (and hormonal!) body.

This is an example where real life translated very nicely into the story of Because I Am Furniture. I am thankful both to volleyball and this novel; I could not wish for better gifts.

Thalia Chaltas, Because I Am Furniture, Viking Children's, Penguin Books