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. 

The Awakening of Malcom X: a novel

 

The Awakening of Malcom X by Ilyasah Shabazz with Tiffany D. Jackson is a moving narrative biography that focuses on the years that X spent in prison from ages 20 to 27,  where he learned about the teachings of Islam and was shaped into the person he became to lead the Nation of Islam. 

"Wake up, Malcom!"

 Told in three parts from the first time he steps into the horrendous prison in Charlestown where he loses the willingness to improve his mind, to part two where he is enlightened by self-education in the library and his family's support, and concludes with part three where he gets transferred to a better facility in Norfolk where he joins the debate team.  Throughout his time in prison he has flashbacks to his family and reflected on ways he can help his people be free.

"Up, up you mighty race!"

I was already familiar with Malcom X's teachings and speeches, however, the way that he came to the religion was new information.  Since Shabazz is his daughter she had first-hand knowledge of the letters he wrote back and forth with his family and with Elijah Muhammad.  The part that stood out to me was when he discovers that, "even a crumb of dignity can change the way you look at the world and the way you see yourself in it."  Once he was given the chance to prove his worth to his fellow inmates and to the outside world, he only wanted to inspire others to follow suit.  

"Everybody needs their family, Malcom. We're always with you. Don't ever forget that."

This story sparks a lot of questions for students and even adults.  They can delve deeper into Malcom X's speeches and what happened to his position in the Nation of Islam.  Inquiry into the role of prisons and incarcerated people can also stem from this story.  Finally, the role he had in the Civil Rights Movement can also be explored further.