Don't Hurt Laurie

Laurie is an eleven-year-old girl who lives in fear of her mother's unpredictable violence and abuse. She keeps her bruises hidden and makes up stories about accidents to explain her injuries to teachers and friends. When Laurie's family moves to California for her stepfather's new job, she hopes things might change. Her new stepbrother Tim notices something isn't right, while Laurie struggles to maintain the facade of a normal family life. With mounting tension at home and increasing difficulty keeping secrets, Laurie must decide whether to continue protecting her mother or find the courage to speak up. The stakes become higher as the abuse escalates and new people enter her life. The novel confronts the complex psychological dynamics of family abuse and the barriers that prevent children from seeking help. Through Laurie's perspective, readers gain understanding of how fear, love, and loyalty can trap victims in cycles of silence.

Readers consider this a realistic portrayal of child abuse that raises awareness without being overly graphic. The book resonates with young readers aged 10-14 who connect with Laurie's perspective and her struggle to speak up. Liked: - Clear, accessible writing style for the target age group - Portrayal of a child finding courage to seek help - Supporting characters who notice warning signs - Educational value for students learning about abuse Disliked: - Some found the resolution too quick and neat - Dated references and setting (published 1977) - A few parents felt it was too intense for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (50+ reviews) Common reader comment: "This book helped me understand I wasn't alone and that telling someone was the right thing to do." Several school librarians note it remains relevant for teaching students about recognizing and reporting abuse.

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🔹 The author, Willo Davis Roberts, wrote over 100 books for children and young adults during her career, winning multiple state children's choice awards. 🔹 "Don't Hurt Laurie" was one of the first middle-grade novels to tackle the serious subject of child abuse in a direct, realistic manner when it was published in 1977. 🔹 The book was inspired by real cases of child abuse that the author learned about while working as a journalist earlier in her career. 🔹 Despite its difficult subject matter, the book has remained continuously in print for over 40 years and is frequently used in school curricula to discuss child safety and abuse prevention. 🔹 The story's main character, Laurie, moves six times in three years to different schools - a common pattern among families trying to hide abuse, as noted by child welfare experts.