Ten-tear-old Della has always had her older sister, Suki: When their mom went to prison, Della had Suki. When their mom's boyfriend took them in, Della had Suki. When that same boyfriend did something so awful they had to run fast, Della had Suki. Suki is Della's own wolf — her protector. But who has been protecting Suki?
Now in a new foster home with the gruff but caring Francine, Della starts to feel safe, even if she's still holding her secrets close. But when Suki's plan for their future is crushed, she spirals out of control, despite Francine's desperate efforts to find help. When Suki survives a suicide attempt, Della starts to wonder if she's been quiet about the wrong things. Maybe it's time to be loud.
In this powerful novel that explodes the stigma around child sexual abuse and leavens an intense tale with compassion and humor, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, the Newbery Honor-winning author of The War That Saved My Life, tells a story about two sisters, linked by love and trauma, who must find their own voices before they can find their way back to each other.
"Della’s tough, straightforward narration pulls no punches ('I’ve learned that some things are almost impossible to talk about because they’re things no one wants to know') as she learns the power of using her 'big mouth' and inspires others to tell their stories when and how they are able. Sharp characterizations by Newbery Honoree Brubaker Bradley (The War That Saved My Life) create an essential, powerful mirror and window for any reader: 'I was glad, you know, to read the book. To know it didn’t only happen to me.'" — Publishers Weekly
Recommended Age | 10 - 13 |
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Author | Kimberly Brubaker Bradley |
ISBN | 1984815687 |
Publication Date | Aug 11, 2020 |
Publisher | Dial Books |
Award Winners | Newbery Honor |
Language | English |