Fighting Words

A candid and fierce middle grade novel about sisterhood and sexual abuse, by Newbery Honor winner and #1 New York Times best seller Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

"Fighting Words is raw, it is real, it is necessary, a must-read for children and their adults--a total triumph in all ways." --Holly Goldberg Sloan, New York Times bestselling author of Counting by 7s

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? Della might get told off for swearing at school, but she has always known how to keep quiet where it counts. Then Suki tries to kill herself, and Della's world turns so far upside down, it feels like it's shaking her by the ankles. Maybe 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 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.

"Believable and immensely appealing...At once heartbreaking and hopeful."--Kirkus (starred review)
"One of the most important books ever written for kids."--Colby Sharp of Nerdy Book Club
"Honest and] empowering...An important book for readers of all ages."--SLJ (starred review)
"Sensitive , ] deft, and vivid."--BCCB (starred review)
"One for the history books. One of the best of the year."--Betsy Bird for A Fuse #8 Production/SLJ
"Gripping. Life-changing...I am awe-struck."--Donna Gephart, author of Lily and Dunkin
"An essential, powerful mirror and window for any reader."--PW (starred review)
"I am blown away. This is a powerful, necessary book... It] may be Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's best work yet." --Barbara Dee, author of Maybe He Just Likes You
"Compassionate, truthful, and beautiful." --Elana K. Arnold, author of Damsel
"A book that lets kids] know they have never been alone. And never will be." --Kat Yeh, author of The Truth About Twinkie Pie

Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Publisher: Thorndike Striving Reader
Published: 09/16/2020
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781432881214
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.6
Point Value: 7
Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus
Quiz #/Name: 509591 / Fighting Words


Award: Newbery Medal - Honor Book
Award: Kirkus Prize - Finalist
Award: Golden Kite - Honor Book

About the Author
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley lives on a forty-two-acre farm in Bristol, Tennessee. She is the author of several middle grade novels, including the widely acclaimed Jefferson's Sons and the New York Times bestsellers The War I Finally Won and The War That Saved My Life, the latter of which earned a Newbery Honor and a Schneider Award.