Rating: Summary: A twisted story of a young girls struggle Review: A young teen was frightened by her step-father and his nasty habits. He was an evil person, but no one wanted to believe her. Finally, this young girl spoke up. Was her speaking up for better or for worse? When She Hollers by Cynthia Voigt is very interesting and traumatic. This novel really caught my interest because When She Hollers dealt with a teenager's struggle to set free from her psychotic step-father. She was brought up being molested by this evil man. At first, she didn't realize if these terrible acts were right or wrong. As Trisha got older, she got the common sense and believed he was a bad person, not a real father. His nasty habits made her feel disgusting and helpless. Trisha didn't want to call him Dad. I don't blame her! I felt he was as does everyone. I felt her environment was very bad. She didn't deserve to be put through torture. The only way she felt safe and secure is with a knife by her side. Obviously, she needed to get out if she felt the need to have a knife before she spoke up. I am also still disturbed over Trisha's mother. The step-dad would say nasty comments to Trisha and her mother would pretend not to listen. He would say comments to her how he'll see her later in her room and other gruesome subjects. Trisha's whole living environment was sick. I felt she deserved better. This novel may inspire people to make a change in their lives. I think that some people feel that life is life, and they just have to deal with being Davis 2 disrespected. Others are afraid to speak up due to fear of the other person retaliating against them. I feel molestation is completely wrong and sick. Even comments that make people feel uncomfortable are wrong. Harassment is something people deal with everyday. I think this is what kept Trisha from letting everyone know. Though she felt embarrassed and ashamed, she also felt terrified of what he could do if he found out she told people and how terrified she would be if no one believed her. I would be terrified if I were in her situation because then I would feel absolutely hopeless and emotionally bothered. He could possibly even kill her. I hope this novel inspired more people to speak up. I am sure the author's intention was for more people to do so. I believe the author was trying to state people can make a change in their lives if they really wanted to. All in all, this novel was meant to reach out to people. To sum up, I felt this novel was very traumatic and suspenseful. Some people, I believe, may find this novel very disturbing because some people don't like talking about these terrible subjects. I recommend this book, however, to anyone who enjoys reading books on suspense, life tragedies, or emotionally disturbing subjects about true life.
Rating: Summary: Haunting, Suspenseful, and Exciting Review: As a teacher (8th grade, Language Arts), I have read several young adult books. Rarely has a book written for young adults affected me like this one. I found Voight's characterization of Tish powerful and her vivid description of the emotional process that Tish experiences riveting. This book illustrates the development of self-love in the individual. Tish comes to realize that she has worth and value and that she does not deserve to be treated disrespectfully. No human being does. Tish's experience is an excellent example of the vicory of self. This book is an excellent addition to any young adult classroom library... but teachers must be aware that the book deals with mature subject matter. jstavarz
Rating: Summary: Uncomfortable and hard hitting Review: Cynthia Voigt has a way with getting to her readers. The whole time I was reading this book I felt extremely uncomfortable. She kept me so close to Tish, the main character, as she had to deal with her stepfather's sexual abuse and her mother's feigned ignorance of the issue. The book is really amazing in its portrayal of an abuse victim. I think anyone would benefit from the read but it may also help victims cope with the feelings of guilt and loneliness that they face during and after the abuse.
Rating: Summary: Grim Truths Addressed in This Book Review: I am a Master's of Library Science student and currently work with Preschool through 8th grade children in our school library. I have read many children's and young adult books and have found my particular favorites."When She Hollers" by Cynthia Voight is one of books I read this past semester that really affected me. This book discusses the grim truths of a seventeen year old girl, Tish, who is being sexually abused by her step-father. The book is one that I read in one sitting. It opens with the daughter, Tish, pulling a knife on her step-father - in front of her mother at the breakfast table - and tells him "no more". The mother is totally unsuspecting and will not listen to or help her daughter in any way. Tish also receives no assistance from any adult at school, where she is acting out and in trouble. The Principal's solution is to call her step-father to pick up Tish! Tish runs away and goes to a friend's attorney father, pays him $1.00 in "attorneys' fees", and tells him everything that has been happening. The attorney becomes the only lifeline and supportive adult in Tish's life. The story ends on a cliffhanger, when Tish goes home to confront her father. She approaches her home and feels the front door practically swelling with evil. The front door opens, and the story ends. This book is told with a lot of truth and, thus, uses language inappropriate for some young people. However, the story feels very real in the manner in which it is presented, as so many children live with situations in which they have no power. After digesting this book, I now feel its positive message: that Tish found her power and did not give up in the face of so much ignorance, abandonment and disbelief by the adults in her life. Please read this book. It will have an effect upon you.
Rating: Summary: I could not relate to it. Review: I personally did not like this book. Unlike the other reviewers who shared their opinions here, I did not find Tish's response to be realistic. As a survivor myself, there were other emotions that were not factored into this story. Where was the self-blame? Where's the belief that what she's going through was "normal?" Yes, children who were abused feel that their family is "normal." The entire book was written as if the author felt sorry for children who were molested with the added feature of a strong heroine. For a more realistic portrayal of sexual abuse, I recommend "Silver" by Norma Fox Mazer or "Abby, My Love" by Hadley Irwin.
Rating: Summary: A Book About Harsh Reality Review: I thought this book was very good. It gave you a glimpse intoharsh reality and think twice about complaining about all the littlethings in life that are going on. The book leaves you thinking a long time after reading it. I must admit though, that this book isn't for everyone. But nevertheless, it's too good to miss out on.
Rating: Summary: Informative Review: I thought this book was very informative on the subject. It gave you a real life look on how someone would feel. It sounded so real it made me feel as if I was in the story somehow going along with her decisons. One part I absolutely hated was the end. It just ended, I NEED A SEQUAL!!! I know I should use my imagination but the possiblitys are endless!I thought it really was a quick good read, and great for everyone so they can understand what it is really like.
Rating: Summary: When She Hollers Review: Overall I felt that this book was rather confusing. Too many things were happening at once. It was very hard to understand. This book was about a girl named Tish that was being sexually abused by her stepfather. She carried a survival knife in her boot so that if he ever came after her she could just stab him. Tonnie became very abusive as the book went on. Tish decided that she was going to step up and take action and that's what she did. She went a lawyer and told him what had been going on and he told her that since she was old enough to press charges she could. The end of the book wasn't very good. It just stopped. It didn't say what happened between Tish and her stepfather. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading suspenseful novels.
Rating: Summary: This Book is Amazing Review: The book When She Hollers is fantastic. I found it in my school library back when I was in high school and I kept it for myself because just by reading the back cover I knew I had to have it. It reminded me so much of my life at that point and it gave me the strength to keep going just like Tish did. I'm now in college and I dealt with my abuser, too. Tish's story kept me strong and allowed me to finally gain the strength to tell. I'm so thankful for this book and I think any teenager who is being abused should read this... or every teenager for that matter because it's really insightful.
Rating: Summary: Intense, inspiring story of a victim who becomes a survivor Review: The first time I read this book I didn't quite understand it. It has a stream of consciousness effect that shows Tish's thoughts over the course of one day.(and human thoughts are very erratic) However, on the second time around most of the fog cleared. Tish had to stand up to her sexually abusive stepfather, not an easy feat. Although one reviewer was correct that Tish didn't show the self-blame or "my family is normal" feeling of an abuse victim, most other emotions were realistic. She was afraid at first to confront Tonnie, and she pushed away her friends. Many parts were explicit, like the language and sex descriptions, but you can't expect a book about an abused kid to be a picnic in the park. Overall, this novel profoundly affected me. I reccomend it to older teens, especially rape victims. If it confuses you at first, reread it. It's worth the effort.
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