Review: "Shout," by Laurie Halse Anderson

Whoa. This is such a powerful memoir in verse. Laurie Halse Anderson reveals the demons in her past that led her to write her books, including her own rape at age thirteen that inspired Speak. I love that she talks to young people all over the world about consent and rape and all the things in between. I love the way she so perfectly lays out brutal events from her past with precisely the right words. Do I think this is a book some parents would object to their middle school kids reading? Yes. But it’s also so important for middle school kids to read and know they can shout to be heard too. Censorship is never the answer.

Mrs. Denney's Rating: ***1/2

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