Gr 5 Up—Sisters Della, 10, and Suki, 16, are put in foster care after escaping a sexually abusive home. Readers
experience their initial recovery through Della's perspective as she finds strength in herself but sees Suki declining.
This book is searingly honest with an ultimately hopeful resolution. Readers are strongly urged to experience this
text with a trusted adult, as there is a great deal to unpack in the narrative. Gut-wrenching, hopeful, and necessary.

In Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, we meet sisters Della and Suki. It is immediately apparent that theses sisters have faced some serious problems – and that they have faced them together. For much of her life, Della has known that her sister Suki will protect her.
Each girl is trying to cope with a world that is continually turned upside down by adults that should have been there for them and cared for them. Instead, these sisters have had to fend for themselves for food, safety, and comfort. They have also earned to keep secrets.
Their love and loyalty to each other have been enough until a terrible event has pushed both to the edge – an assault against Bella from the same man who has sexually abused Suki. While not spelled out in the novel, it is apparent that both girls are dealing with depression, guilt, anger, and trauma – so much that Suki tries to kill herself. After this, Bella finds herself lost and without her only protection. Gradually Bella realizes that she does have another tool at her disposal. Through support of her therapist, foster mother, and friends, Bella realizes that words – fighting words and not necessarily fists – can also help her fight back and protect herself and her sister. Although both sisters remain traumatized and face a difficult road ahead, Bella and Suki take steps towards healing.
This book is not an easy read. Although there is humor and hope, the characters deal with intense issues such as poverty, abuse, violence, incarceration, drug addiction, harassment, and homelessness. While Fighting Words is geared to middle grade readers, it might not be suitable for some. Still this novel is important and can be source of hope and a lifeline for those surviving sexual abuse:
“If you’ve been hurt, tell someone. Tell your parents if you can, or your teacher, or your doctor, or any other adult you trust. If that person doesn’t help you, tell someone else. Keep talking until you get the help you need.”
-- from the Author’s Note
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I meant to read just the first few chapters last night, but I stayed up until 3 a.m. finishing the whole book. Obviously this takes on a very difficult topic -- sexual abuse of children -- but it does so in a sensitive and balanced way. By "balanced" I mean that this book has funny and joyful parts. Readers will see that trauma has a huge impact on Della and Suki's lives, but it doesn't define them.

I also want to say that the last page of this book is perfect. ( )

Praise for this novel regarding child abuse and how it affects families. Websites for assistance can also be found here. ( )

You want to talk about an incredible book--this book is....WOW.

As the author herself says, it is a novel for 10 year olds featuring sexual abuse, a suicide attempt, foster care, homelessness, meth addition, mental health, and eighty-six uses of the word "snow" (in place of another word ;)) This book is timely. It's about consent and standing up, finding ways to be brave in the midst of fear.....it's a book of Della and Suki's sisterly bond and how sometimes the people that are busy protecting us often need protecting themselves.

It is quite the story. I can see parents struggling with it due to its nature and sensitive material. And yes, we do find out the extent of the sexual abuse (but only a portion). Still, I know this book will reach necessary audiences. The author also admitted it was HER story. What a story. It begs to be hold. I encourage parents to have conversations with their kids. Read this book together. Have those tough conversations. As we talk about sexual assault, consent, mental health, we remove the stigma!

I cannot recommend this book enough! ( )