This book touches on child sexual abuse, drugs, incarcerated parents, foster care, and suicide. Readers will have exposure to things going on in the world children might sadly be dealing with. Difficult themes that need to be addressed, and shares that healing from wrongs done to the child is a long and difficult process, but achievable.

(Extremely late review) This was a tough but necessary read. It made me bawl but filled me with hope! I appreciate how Bradley handled sexual abuse and suicide without going into graphic details. The main character is also younger than most middle graders but that does not mean this cannot be read by older audiences; definitely a pick for a middle school classroom as well.

Fighting Words By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is the story of Della and Suki. Suki has always been Della's protector but when something unimaginable happens will Della have the courage to use her Fighting Words? Read Fighting Words By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Happy Reading!

A powerful story told through the eyes of a child survivor of several forms of abuse. Readers watch her navigate her new life in a "safe place" while she slowly pieces together the horror that has clearly happened to her older sister and protector. This book is highly affecting, but ultimately uplifting without being saccharine. Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book and feel it should be required reading for students in fifth or sixth grades. I know many will not agree with me because of the heavy subject/trigger warnings but done carefully this could lead to many students speaking out about trauma they have endured.

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley 256 pages Dial Book for Young Readers Penguin Random House, 2020. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG Violence: PG13 (attempted sexual assault)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

10yo Della and her older sister, 16yo sister Suki have recently been placed in foster care. It should have happened years ago, when their mother was incarcerated, but instead they have been living with Clifton, who is not their father. When something terrible happens, the girls run and Clifton is now in jail awaiting trial. Suki has always been there for Della, watching out for her and making sure everything was ok, but who was watching out for Suki?

Fighting Words is a hard hitting, raw story dealing with the after effects of sexual abuse. Suki has had to grow up fast - as the primary caregiver and protector of her little sister, while Della, who swears a lot (but as she is telling the story, she replaces swears with the word "snow" - brilliant ) is coming to terms with the abuse her sister experienced without learning all the details. This careful handling of a very serious - but unfortunately too common - subject, coming from the viewpoint of a 10 year old leaves a lot to be filled in by the reader; the more background knowledge you bring, the more the story blooms, and aches.

Lisa Librarian

What a powerful book. 10 year old Della and her 16 year old sister Suki have not had it easy. Their mother was taken away to a psychiatric hospital when they were still young and their mother’s boyfriend, Clifton, took custody of the girls. Their life isn’t perfect but at least they have food, shelter, and each other.
One night Suki comes home to witness Clifton doing something unspeakable to Della and they flee. The girls spend a few days in emergency housing before they’re placed with Francine, a foster mother who gives the girls a real loving home for the first time.
Della gets in trouble in school for saying snow at school (she uses this word in place of curse words 86 times within the books pages) and a therapist helps her learn to use her words more productively.
A major turning point in the book is when Suki attempts suicide and Della learns about her own sister’s struggles as well as how to stand on her own two feet.
This novel was extremely well done and written at a level appropriate for 10 year olds. Unfortunately, we have readers who experience similar abusive situations and they need to know that they are not alone and where to seek help.

Life has not been easy for Della, 10, and her sister Suki, 17. They are both in foster care now that their mother is in prison for blowing up a hotel room cooking meth. Six years ago, they had been taken in by their mother's former boyfriend, Clifton, but he has now been arrested and is about to go on trial for child sexual abuse. Suki caught him attempting to sexually abuse Della and filmed what was going on while calling the police. Now, Della is expected to testify at Clifton's trial, but Suki insists that it must be filmed and not done in person. Their new foster mother, Francine, is an old hand at fostering kids and really seems to be on Suki and Della's side. Living with her is the closest to a normal life that they have ever experienced. There is enough food to eat and no one abuses them. They go to school regularly, although Della struggles with the work, but also makes friends with a girl named Nevaeh (heaven spelled backwards) and stands up to a boy in the class named Trevor who is always harassing the girls for wearing or not wearing a bra.

And so it is in just such an atmosphere that Della begins to narrate their story, seemingly searching for something that she may have missed. Francine, who know exactly what has happened to the girls, keeps asking them if they want to talk to a counselor, but their case worker never follows through with that. Then, Suki attempts suicide, suffering from PTSD and unable to continue to be strong for herself and Della. As the pieces to what happened to Suki while living with Clifton begin to make sense to Della, she decides that she would rather testify in the courtroom at his trial instead of on a recording. She also finds the strength to report what Trevor has been doing to the girls in her class, right under the teacher's nose.

Fighting Words ends well, but I think it needed a positive ending for it to be considered a middle grade novel. There is a lot of heavy stuff going on in Suki and Della's story, but Brubaker Bradley has included enough humor that it doesn't diminish the experiences of the sisters, but it sure is needed for some relief. I found Della to be a wonderful unreliable narrator (after all, she's only 10). And I was glad this didn't turned into an ugly foster care story. It's always encouraging to read about a positive foster care situation, and while Francine is a little rough around the edges, she is a real softy with her heart in the right place.

I loved the irony of Della using the word "snow" whenever she was using "colorful language" and she did that a lot. I used to teach in the Bronx and Della's "snowy" language and defensive attitude reminded me of some of the kids I had in my classes, making her such an authentic character for me. I think Brubaker Bradley did a stellar job presenting Della and Suki's story, getting what happened across without being terrible graphic except for the one incident involving Della. But, in the end, I think this book needs trigger warnings - it is definitely not for every middle school reader.

This book is recommended for readers age 10+

Disturbing but powerful. A necessary addition to children's literature and a voice for those whose story deserves to be told.

It took me a really long time to sit down and write this review. And quite honestly I'm not sure what to say; however, I do know that this is one of the best middle grade books that I've read in a very long time. It's not a easy read and it handles tough topics very well. CW: parent in jail, drug use not on page, but discussed, sexual abuse of minor, attempted sexual assault of minor, attempted suicide on page.

Fighting Words isn't the first book that I've read by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and it definitely won't be my last. The cover of the book alone illustrates that it is probably going to be a difficult read. The book itself focuses on Della and Suki as they are moved into a foster home after experiencing abuse at the hands of their mother's boyfriend while their mother serves time in prison. Although told in Della's voice who is ten, readers get the opportunity to see how events also affect Suki who is Della's older, teenage sister. As readers make their way through the book, they learn how Della and Suki not only take care of and protect each other, but they also have to function in ways that force them to be "older" than what they are. This is especially true for Suki who feels the need to provide for her sister even when they're in foster care. She focuses so much on Della that she doesn't take time to heal herself which has severe consequences. And still, the two of them have such a beautiful bond. They have their moments where they don't get along, but they've had to rely on each other for so long that readers will see how much actions of one impact the other. And it is this bond that helps them carry out very necessary actions at the end of the book. Della is a unique character in that she understands the importance of boundaries and standing up for herself in ways that her peers are not necessarily aware of yet. She has trouble following the rules in school at times, but overall she tries her hardest to make friends and to help them learn about the importance of consent, boundaries and standing up for yourself.

Another gem of this story definitely came in the form of Francine their foster mom. While some people may think that she's not realistic, I think that she was a perfect example of good individuals that exist in this world who advocate for children. I loved that Bradley made her a little prickly and stubborn because it flowed well with the personalities of the girls. They needed her and she needed them. She fought tool and nail against the State to make sure they were able to get evaluated and counseling because she knew and understood the nature of the trauma they faced. This entire book just served as an example of great character development and relationships.

This book isn't an easy read. There are sections that are going to make readers uncomfortable and there are going to be times when it seems as though it is above it's targeted audience; however, it's important that these discussions happen for a younger audience especially as they pertain to consent. Even as an adult I was saddened by some of the content, but I as a survivor myself, I wish that I had a story like this growing up that I could relate to. I commend, respect, and admire Bradley for not only talking about her own experience in the author's note, but also having the courage to create and share this story with the world when so many middle grade readers are going to need it. If you haven't heard of this book definitely check it out.

This book was well written and powerful! The content is mature and can be a trigger for some young readers. Read with caution. This book carries an extremely important message. Hopefully, the young readers who need to know they are not alone in a circumstance like this will find this book.

A wonderfully touching treatment of abuse, which should reach students on a very personal level. A great addition to a library trying to diversify its collection to include books on difficult topics for middle schoolers.

This is a powerful book on a tough topic, a true challenge for a children's book author. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley takes on the topic with empathy, creating a great character in 10-year old Della who is tough and vulnerable at the same time. I also loved the foster mother who was a good combo of gritty and loving.

Bradley again finds a way to bring sympathetic characters through some of the harshest life circumstances and leave everyone with some hope for a brighter future.

A topic that is not often discussed with readers of the same age as Della but a story that needs to be out there for students to read. This has been on my to read list for a while and I am glad I did. Bradley has a way of writing that makes the reader be able to see each character as their own, faults and all. What these sisters have gone through in their young lives was unbelievable in this story but sadly happens more often in real life than we think. Thanks goodness for those Francine's out there to help others. Like other reviews at first I didn't think I would like Francine as a character but that rough exterior contains a kind heart that lets the reader know she as well has experienced sexual abuse as well in her past. One more of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's books that I am glad I have read.

This book was a fabulous read though very heartbreaking at times for the adult reader in me. I can see this title being used in many classrooms and will be using it in our library's middle grade book club to talk about tough topics.

So Good! So heartbreaking. Della and Suki have each other and nothing else. They were with one foster family and have been moved to another. Their mom is in prison. They had to run from their mom's boyfriend's place and he burned everything they left behind. Now, with the help of their new foster mom and some doctors, both Della and Suki learn that keeping quiet is not always the best and they begin to heal.

This is a very brave and important book that deals with sexual abuse, attempted suicide, and foster care placement. I read the whole thing in one sitting tonight without budging. Tears streamed from my eyes several times, but I also wanted to clap for the gutsy narrator. This book could really make all the difference for someone who hasn’t disclosed abuse or make someone who has feel less alone.

Wow! A powerful book that deals with a tough topic in an approachable manner for middle grade students. An important book to be included in school libraries to serve as a window and mirror to sexual abuse.

This review is based on an ARC.

The triumph of this novel is in how well the girls find their voices. I was struck by how much growth was possible for the girls when given support and understanding. The power of understanding and nonjudgement is shown so well with how the girls interact with people around them and how then they are able to heal. As any good novel should this got me thinking about my own experiences and trauma and it brought new healing to old wounds. The themes in this novel were handled without patronizing young audiences and it is worth a read for young people.