Fighting Words: speaking out against sexual abuse

 

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is an award-nominated, middle-grade novel about sexual abuse, foster care, family and how a person can heal after enduring trauma.  10 year-old Della, and her 16 year-old sister, Suki, have been placed under the care of Francine, their foster mother.  What's happened to them is a mystery and the narrator, Della, tells bits and pieces of their story in small increments.  Their mother, who is incarcerated after suffering a psychotic break is not in the picture so they have had to live with their mother's boyfriend before Francine.  Della and Suki rely on each other to navigate their new lives but cannot process what has happened to them on their own.  They act out in different ways in order to deal with their trauma.  Full of emotion, both humorous at times and heart-breaking, the story is realistic in its depiction of the social services that are supposed to be protecting children.  The sisters must accept the help of Francine and their friends in order to heal.

I would share this book with older readers who would be able to discuss the story content with an adult.  The abuse that Della and Suki endure is at first alluded-to, but then described in one scene, so it would be beneficial to unpack what happened to the girls with the reader.  There are so few middle grade books that approach this subject, that I would recommend this book for all educators to read and try to understand how to better help students who suffer from trauma such as the one described in this book.  Bradley offers many resources and discussion questions at the end of the book to help with these conversations with young people.  Consent, how to be a supportive friend/adult, and what to do if you're being abused are the three big takeaways I had from this incredibly well-written book.  

Here is a review from Common Sense Media with more details.

Bradley writes on her website:

2021 Newbery Honor and Odyssey Honor!

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that Fighting Words has received a Newbery Honor medal and an Odyssey Honor from the American Library Association!! I am so incredibly happy and grateful. As I’ve said many times, this book is my heart.