When She Hollers

by Cynthia Voigt

Book Overview

Newberry author Cynthia Voigt's searing tale of abuse -- and taking back your life. Tish has taken enough. She will no longer be abused. She will no longer be passive. So she takes a knife with her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0590467158
• ISBN13: 9780590467155
• Release Date: March 1996
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Length: 177 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.1" x 6.7"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

This Book is Amazing

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.

Grim Truths Addressed in This Book

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.

A Book About Harsh Reality

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.

A good book

This book is exellent! Voigt does a wonderful job of letting you into the mind of Tish, a seventeen year old girl who was sexualy abused by her stepfather. Since I am an amature writer and an excessive reader, I could see both sides of the ending. As a writer, I thought the ending was good, and left the person at a point where they could think and reflect, with the satisfaction of Tish's determination. But as a reader, I am angry at the author for not describing the confrontation between Tish and Tonnie (her stepfather). I sugest it to readers age eleven and over, for I, in my opinion, did not find it all that disturbing, as I have read in almost every review and anybody else that I have discussed the book with.

Haunting, Suspenseful, and Exciting

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