Shout

Shout is a memoir in verse by acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson, written two decades after her groundbreaking novel Speak. Through free verse poetry, Anderson shares her personal journey as a survivor of sexual assault and her path to becoming a writer. The memoir chronicles Anderson's childhood, including her relationship with her veteran father and her experiences growing up in a household affected by trauma and PTSD. The narrative moves through her teenage years and early adulthood, documenting pivotal moments that shaped her life and writing career. Anderson recounts her interactions with readers and students over the years, including their responses to her previous work and their own stories of survival. She writes about the publishing industry, censorship, and the importance of discussing difficult topics with young people. This powerful collection speaks to broader themes of silence, survival, and the healing power of raising one's voice in the face of trauma. The book stands as both a personal testament and a call to action for society to confront the realities of sexual violence and its impact.

Readers connect with the raw emotion and honesty in Anderson's free verse memoir about sexual assault and trauma. Many praise her poetic style as more powerful than traditional prose, with one reviewer noting it "hits like a punch to the gut." Multiple readers mentioned crying while reading. What readers liked: - Creates space for difficult conversations - Validates survivors' experiences - Shows long-term impacts of trauma - Accessible poetry format for teens What readers disliked: - Fragmented narrative structure - Abstract metaphors make some sections hard to follow - Content too intense for younger readers - Some found the verse format distancing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review Multiple teachers and librarians note using excerpts to discuss consent and assault with students. Parents recommend pre-reading to assess appropriateness for their teens.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson A teenager processes trauma through art and silence after a sexual assault at a party ruins her reputation at school.

Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake A bisexual teen confronts the meaning of consent and truth when her twin brother is accused of rape by her best friend.

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith The story follows four years of a young girl's life as she grapples with rape by her brother's best friend and its impact on her identity.

All the Rage by Courtney Summers A small-town girl faces ostracism and disbelief after she accuses the sheriff's son of sexual assault.

Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf by Hayley Krischer A high school junior navigates the aftermath of rape while her perpetrator's best friend tries to help her process the trauma.

🔹 The book's title "Shout" was inspired by Anderson's experience of finally breaking her silence about assault after publishing her groundbreaking novel "Speak" in 1999. 🔹 Anderson wrote this memoir in verse form after discovering poetry during therapy sessions, finding that poetic expression helped her process trauma in ways prose could not. 🔹 The author has spoken to over 1.5 million students about assault awareness and prevention since becoming an advocate, experiences which directly influenced this memoir. 🔹 "Shout" received six starred reviews from major literary publications and was named one of the Best Books of 2019 by Time, NPR, and Publishers Weekly. 🔹 Before becoming an author, Anderson worked as a journalist, which influenced her direct, truth-telling approach to discussing difficult subjects in her writing.