Laurie Tells

by Linda Lowery

Book Overview

A stirring story of a teenage girl struggling to tell about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father. Richly illustrated this is a valuable addition to titles on sexual abuse. The problems of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0876147902
• ISBN13: 9780876147900
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.4" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Lowery Tells..readers what to do.

Presented as a beautifully illustrated poem, this is the story of an eleven-year-old girl who is molested by her father. The poem begins with Laurie going for a walk. She is recovering from another goodnight kiss the day after her father "touched her" for the final time. The poem ends with Laurie telling her terrible secret and waiting for help in safety away from home. I can't testify whether Laurie's actions are genuine or not. As a 36 year old man (and teacher), I can say that Lowery's book (a poem) is a moving and incredible story that really touches readers' hearts. It depicts a young girl who has suffered for 3 years. Laurie's story is sad, moving, and serious. This is not a book for the light hearted. It is an excellent book for parents of preteen girls to share with their daughters. It should supplement a discussion of people who are safe to go to if there are problems. This is a serious poem, but Linda Lowery does all the things good poets do. Colors splash and play with the words to create images that are vivid and clear for the reader. Details about the abuse are shrouded behind the simple words "touched me" and avoid traumatizing any children with a similar experience. The author expertly uses metaphors, symbolism, irony, simile, flashback, concrete imagery, rhyme, sensory details to create a powerful poem with a serious message. At the end of the poem, an author's note addresses the incident and reminds readers that every incident is different, but that every incident of sexual abuse must be resolved the same way. Victims must tell. My favorite lines of the poem are when Laurie sits at the lake trying to think of people to tell. As autumn leaves drop on the water and float by, she envisions the familiar faces of her grandmother, her music teacher, and her neighbor. Finally her aunt's face lights on the crystal clear water and the memory of her aunt's confidence in her and strength in dealing with her father summon the courage Laurie needs to confide in her aunt. The illustrations in this book are equally incredible. Watercolors and shadows fill every page accurately capturing the physical and emotional anguish of a suffering child. The art by John Eric Karpinski is phenomenal and supplements this serious issue with equally moving illustrations. Again, the images are appropriate only depicting Laurie as she sorts things out in her mind the day after the abuse. The author's note at the end confirms that Laurie's story is unique. Not all victims have the same situation. But every victim must accept the same difficult solution. They must tell. Sexual abuse, rape, molestation...these things cannot be kept secret. This poem tells Laurie's thought processes and reveals her courage in telling the most terrible secret she has ever known. Her father is abusing her. Not all victims are so lucky. Many victims suffer for many more years before they find help. Some victims never find help. This book offers hope to those

Excellent portrayal of feelings experienced in sexual abuse

Excellent portrayal of feelings experienced by a child who has been sexually abused by her own father. I have used this book for sexual abuse prevention programs conducted for fifth-graders, and they were very engaged by the narrative. I wish this book were in all middle school libraries, so that children experiencing this same loneliness and pain would be empowered to reach out for help. Written in a sensitive, non-graphic manner, the message in this book is encouraging and hopeful. Special bonuses are the almost poetic voice and imagery and the outstanding illustrations. Highly recommended!