Gorgeous book, I really enjoyed it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access and advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Fighting Words
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Genre: YA Contemporary
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/ 5
Reviewed: Maya

[Trigger Warning: sexual assault, drug (meth) addiction, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse, sucide attempt (including the method used), self-harm, rape, foster care, homelessness, bullying, ]

I’m a massive fan of The War That Saved My Life and Bradley’s other books, so I went into this book with high expectations. I absolutely devoured this book - Bradley’s writing is of the highest quality and I literally couldn’t put this book down (I was late to things multiple times because I couldn’t stop reading - I have no regrets). The pacing was quick, but not in a rushed way, so it definitely kept you hooked from the beginning. The characters felt very real, and I loved Della’s personality from the very first page; she’s outspoken, raw and a total badass by the age of 12 (10 for American edition readers). A book with many sensitive topics, Bradley was able to write these in a way that suits younger readers (older end of middle grade and onwards). The themes, and the messages they bring, is so, so important and it is a great way to begin having more honest conversations about sexual assault, especially between parents-children if they read this book together. The author note at the ending is a must-read when you finish the book as it explains Bradley’s history behind the book and just drives the book’s message in. I can’t recommend this book enough!

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Text Publishing and of course Kimberly Brubake Bradely for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is set for the 25th of February, 2021.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
An interesting story with some very likable and engaging characters which kind of made the book for me.
A good read.

Ten-year-old Della has always had her older sister, Suki: When their mom went to prison, Della had Suki. When their mum's boyfriend took them in, Della had Suki. When that same boyfriend did something so awful they had to run fast, Della had Suki. But then Suki tries to kill herself.

While the subject matter is tough, this is a compelling and basically hopeful story, the genre is under YA, however, as a 24-year-old, I fully understood this and could resonate with it. The story is told from a child-like perspective which softens the edges of the really hard story. You go along a heartbreaking journey that features, abuse, drugs, foster homes, suicide, and neglectful adults, but yet, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel with some uplifting moments.

This is an important read for any age and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

It takes a lot for a book to make me cry, but this one did. Della and Suki are such vivid characters and their relationship felt so real. Della is likeable, funny and vibrant - the ideal narrator for the book. The book manages to be hopeful and positive, despite the subject matter, yet still manages the difficult subjects sensitively.

Fighting Words is an unflinching and story of sisters whose lives revolve around terrible secrets that bind them together,
A raw and powerful read, Fighting Read dispels the stigma around child abuse and shows the strong bond between two sisters,

Powerful and very emotional read, written really well and I loved the narration via Della who isn’t afraid to speak up, the message we should be listening to children and also educating them is done so well , a book that should be read by all, not just its intended audience.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

For a middle grade book Fighting Words really does hit you with all the emotions. And it deals with some big hard hitting topics in a really great way that's easy for kids to understand. We follow the story told from Della's 10 year old perspective when she and her Sister find themselves in foster care. Their drug addicted Mom has been put into prison and her nasty boyfriend was 'caring for' the girls until they were removed from his care. The Sister Suki, age 16, has always been protective of Della and has sort of been her main carer since Della was born. The girls are sent to live with a not so great foster carer. The woman comes across as very unemotional and she seems hard to relate to for the girls in the story and for readers. But this is far, far from a fairy tale and this is probably what some foster children really do experience. As the story progresses we discover more and more about the lives Della and Suki had with their Mother and her boyfriend, and as such we discover more and more awful things that they have experienced. As the girls begin to settle into a regular stable life with school, friends, and Suki getting her first job, the trauma they have suffered starts to have devastating effects on their lives.
I loved this book so much and just couldn't put it down. The relationship between the Sisters was fierce and incredible to read. It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster going from laughing at the little firecracker Della one moment to crying for Suki in the next. This is such a powerful book dealing with drug addiction, child neglect, sexual abuse, and poverty. It's definitely a must read

This book tackles some really challenging and mature topics incredibly. I just really struggled with the narrative style. The use of snowman instead of swear words became mildly annoying.

“For any child who needs this story:
you are never alone”

Everyone should read Fighting Words.
It follows the story of ten year old Della (the narrator) and her older sister Suki. They end up in the foster care system after their meth addicted mother is incarcerated and they escape the clutches of their monster of a guardian, Clifton. After an emergency placement with a not so nice family, they find themselves moving to their permanent placement with Francine. Although they don’t trust it at the start, things are definitely better for the girls. Della starts a new school in her first brand new clothes and Suki gets her first part time job around high school but the daily effects of the trauma the sisters have suffered soon becomes apparent to the reader.

Brubaker Bradley covers some really difficult topics in this book such as sexual abuse, attempted suicide, drug addiction, neglect and consent but she does so incredibly well, it’s a powerful, impactful story.
I think it’s really important that children have access to subject matter like this and the author has made that possible.

The only very slight negative was the use of snow/snowman etc in place of curse words, I understand why the author did it of course but it started to annoy me after a while.

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has written an incredibly powerful novel with her new work 'Fighting Words'. The plot follows 12 year-old Della (full name Delicious) and her 16 year-old sister Suki who have escaped an abusive home into foster care. The novel unravels Della's present as well as the past trauma which led up to their flight from their previous home. We learn early on that their mother is in prison (or 'incarcerated' as Della tells adults who ask) and was addicted to drugs. This is only the start of the distressing journey of the sisters but one which is told by Bradley with honesty. We follow Della's narrative perspective, the childish point of view ringing true and bringing a disturbing sense of realism to the trauma the sisters experience.

Difficult topics are presented candidly but not with excessive sensationalism, keeping the story more subtle in its delivery of more shocking events. This book could certainly be used to have some important and honest conversations with teenage readers as it has age appropriate presentation of topics such as consent, poverty and childhood abuse. I read this book quickly because I could not get enough of Della's feisty and passionate approach to life and the way Bradley sensitively deals with some hard-hitting topics. I look forward to reading this with my students.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, and Text Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

TW: Sexual Abuse, Suicide, Depression
I would also highly recommend against reading the synopsis on Goodreads, as it essentially tells the whole story, and not as well as the author's own writing does.

Della is a 12 year old who has been through more than many of us experience in a lifetime. A mother who is incarcerated due to cooking meth (and blowing up a hotel room while cooking it), she's never met her father, and she's about to go into foster care after an incident with Clifton (possibly an ex of her mother's, but it's never stated explicitly). But there's always been on constant in Della's life - her older sister, Suki, the other member in this wolf pack of 2. When Della and Suki move in with Francine, a no-nonsense but caring foster parent, Della isn't sure she's ready to trust anyone else.

Switching to a new school, Della is lucky to make a new friend, Nevaeh (who start a connection by sharing a name and soon after bonding over a ridiculous number and types of coffee creamers), she needs to come to terms with many things - what happened with Clifton, why Suki screams nightly, feeling both abandoned by and a burden to others when she's pushed into the an after school program at the Y. On top of this, Della must deal with a fellow classmate named Trevor, who gets away with things like pinching girls backs to see if they're wearing a bra, because "boys will be boys".. Della must learn to stand up for herself with her words.

It's hard to put into words just what all happens in this book without giving away too much of what makes it so strong. I've been lucky to not have experienced any of these exact traumas in this book, but pretty much every one of us has come up against some part of the issues that both Della and Suki have dealt with. Bradley pulls so much from her own history and story to write a book that many teens need, as they need to know they are not alone and that things can get better, but we as people need to get better too. We need to believe people when they tell us what is happening to them, we need to stand for each other and do the right thing.

The only thing I could say that takes away from this book slightly is that i do feel at times Della is purposely pushed into a "ghetto speak" voice (for lack of a better way to put things), which takes away as Della mostly comes off strong in her feelings and voice. Otherwise, I feel like this is a book that is a great read to give to any middle grade readers you know. Even if you are not going through the essential tension of the store, pretty much everyone will go through some aspect of what Della has dealt with and connect with her character.

Fighting Words is an important story which deals with some heavy topics, it is the story of two sisters who after a traumatic event are put into care and how they try to survive and heal after it.

The book is well written, I enjoyed the writing style and how it was narrated through the eyes of Della who is not afraid to speak up for herself and always comments on the things around her. The story does deal with the topics of child sexual abuse and consent, alongside the aftermath/trauma and guilt both sisters feel. The book also points out the importance of children needing to understand these topics and also the importance of listening to children and respecting their boundaries. I loved the focus on the sisters and their relationship and how much they mean to each other even when they struggled with their own emotions.

4/5

This is a stunning, hopeful and heartbreaking middle grade novel. My heart hurt for the sisters, Della & Suki. They're in the foster system and they land with Francine who seems to be someone they can rely on, but they just don't know. They've only ever relied on each other. Their mother is an incarcerated meth addict and the only guardian they've ever known, Clifton, is a monster. Their bond and resilience is inspiring and this story will benefit readers who have gone through sexual abuse, as well as spreading awareness about the resources available to assist in healing.

I lost count of the number of times I had to pause because I needed a moment to collect my thoughts, but this book is relevant, honest and absolutely essential. Fighting Words is a book that belongs in every library. There are definitely trigger warnings in this one but, having personally experienced a lot of the issues presented in the story, I think the content is handled in a respectful manner; one that can start a discussion with older children about sexual assault. The stats provided by the author that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by the time they reach eighteen suggests that this is something we need to be aware of as parents and educators.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has perfectly executed a breathtaking age appropriate novel that will change lives.

Please read it.

Suki & Della are placed in foster care after their mother blew up a motel room producing meth. They stayed with her mothers boyfriend who was no relation on them and no one bothered to check.

Fast forward and they are both placed in emergency foster care after a traumatic experience. Suki has always protected her sister Della and has raised her since she was born. Franchie takes them both in and in the beginning it seems she’s taken them for the money but over the story we see why and how she helps the girls.

Trauma runs deep and Suki is having nightmares, she wakes up most nights screaming. Their court date is coming up and Suki suffers in silence with her secret. Until one day suffering in silence is no longer doable. Della the brave warrior decides its time to be loud and make sure he goes away for a very long time.

This bold powerful novel works at breaking the stigma around child abuse, it’s not ok and it still happens far too often. @kimberly_brubaker_bradley thank you for sharing this amazing novel and your traumatic experiences, your authors note made me tear up.

This book is amazing. It is powerful and it is important.

This book is needed.

I have not ever come across a book aimed at teens and young adults that tackles such hard hitting topics in a way that is so open and approachable for all. This is a book that faces tough issues head on and speaks of the real world and all its ugly flaws.

Not every reader is going to be ready for the abuse and pain written about in this book but for kids that want a book that will be honest with them, written at their age-level, perhaps even sounding like their experience of the world, this is that book for them.

It is not an easy read. Some parents might want to read the book first and see if their child is ready for it. Though I do believe we should not completely shelter kids from books like this because of the fear of a trigger.  We must make books like this accessible to kids.

I absolutely loved this book and I hope it becomes available in all libraries across the nation. If you read just one book in 2020, this should be it!

“I could always count on Suki. Suki fixed everything.”

Della has always been able to rely on Suki, her older sister. Suki has taken care of and protected Della her whole life. Now the sisters are in foster care and their mother’s boyfriend, Clifton, is in prison. Della keeps getting in trouble at school and Suki wakes up screaming each night.

“I’ve learned that some things are almost impossible to talk about because they’re things no one wants to know.”

I think we can sometimes underestimate the importance of young readers being able to see themselves in books. Although it’s wonderful to be able to escape into a world that only exists in your imagination, watching a character live through an experience that you can relate to is its own special type of magic.

Della and Suki’s story has the potential to reach readers who have experienced, or are still experiencing, sexual assault. I want Della’s words to reach through the page to let those readers know that they’re not alone and that there are people who will help them.

I loved Della. She’s a little spitfire but she’s also so courageous and resilient. Despite everything she’s experienced she is still loving and fiercely loyal. Her bond with Suki was beautiful, although the beauty was tinged with some sadness because Suki should never have been put in the position of caring for and protecting her younger sister.

I really hope this book finds its way to the readers it needs to. The story of these sisters is heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful. It clearly shows how important people’s responses to disclosures of sexual assault are to those who have the courage to speak up. Some of the impacts of this type of trauma are explored, as are some of the ways they can be managed.

“Sometimes you’ve got a story you need to find the courage to tell.”

While I was relieved that the abuser in this story was incarcerated I know that this will not be part of the story for so many survivors. The majority of perpetrators of sexual assault will never spend a day in prison. The statistics are absolutely horrifying.

I don’t say this to discourage people from reporting what was done to them. It’s just that the majority of stories I’ve read that address sexual assault result in the conviction of the perpetrator. This is not a complaint about this book, merely a general observation.

We want the baddies to have consequences for their actions. I understand that. But when fiction only represents the outcome for the minority of victims of this crime, do we risk sending the message that being able to heal from this sexual assault is reliant upon the incarceration of the offender?

There are discussion notes at the end of the book, where the recommended reading age is said to be 14+. When I was a kid I only read books about kids who were my age or older so at 14 I wouldn’t have picked up a book where the main character was 12, but that’s probably just one of my quirks.

I can pretty much guarantee the word ‘snow’ will take on a whole new meaning once you’ve read this book.

Content warnings include addiction, bullying, foster care, sexual assault, suicide attempt (includes the method used), and verbal and emotional abuse.

Thank you to NetGalley and Text Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.