''So Much to Tell You'' Plot Summary

In John Marsden's novel 'So Much to Tell You' the main character Marina is very depressed and chooses to be a mute. His novel is set in a journal format where Marina can express her feelings through writing in it each day. She is desperate to keep her thoughts and emotions to herself and does not speak to anyone. She is currently attending an all girls school called Warrington.

Cathy, Lisa and Sophie are introduced as the girls that are in Marina's dorm. Cathy becomes a big change for Marina as she tries so hard to make her speak and she wants to be friends with her. Marina does too but she finds it so difficult.

The major discovery though is that Marina's father is in prison and her mother practically never comes to visit Marina. Could this be why she is so depressed? Why is her father in prison? Each weekend Marina has to watch everyone being picked up by their parents while she is left at Warrington with no one except Lisa.

Marina never takes part in team sports or anything where she has to interact with other people. This is until she finally comes out of her shell and puts a flower on Cathy's bed. This was a big step for her and we can see that she really likes Cathy. Later on Marina actually hands Cathy a present and a card.

The next big change for Marina happens when her English teacher Mr. Lindell asks if she would like to stay at his house for the weekend. At first Marina doesn't want to but in the end she does and actually has a great time. However, just as Marina is starting to show some good signs she is told that she will be going to her mother for the holidays and back to all the bad memories. It was there that she became a mute. We now find out more about her father and what he did to Marina's face.

While visiting her mother, Marina goes to the goes to the doctor. They decide that because she hasn't made much progress that she will not be attending Warrington next term. This is until Mr. Lindell comes for a visit and gives her a hug. This and the letter from Cathy gives the doctor enough reasons to let her go back to Warrington.

She makes herself write a letter to her father and actually gets a reply. She is very happy with this and wants to go visit him. She indeed gets the opportunity to do this by staying at Cathy's for the weekend. During her stay she faces her fears and enters the prison. After having to wait and listen to the nurse come out and read out other people's names for hours her name is finally read out and she enters the room. The book ends in them giving each other a hug and Marina muttering the words 'I've got so much to tell you.'