Customer Reviews

When She Hollers

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This stellar, original and riveting read is packed with suspense and emotion. The story is set in a in a small town with littered streets and a deteriating school building. The storyline is intense and the plot absorbing, focusing on Tish, a teenage girl. She is a poor student, bringing home straight "D"s, and easily confused, with a pudgy figure and acne-blemished skin. She is sexually abused by her stepfather. Her happiness hindered by the abuse she is subjected to, Tish makes a turning point decision to end her insurmountable suffering. The decision is to buy a knife and use it in her defense. She attempts to finally be strong; to protect herself from the abuse. Aided with physical power from the knife, and mental power from her new attitude to overcome her stepfather's perpetual and detrimental abuse, Tish struggles through a few days that will cause her--or the reader-- to never be the same. Lacking excess melodrama, this novel eloquently depicts the personal struggles of a victim of sexual abuse. When She Hollers is heart-wrenchingly, searingly honest and raw. Readers are plunged into a painful world of which they were previously oblivious. Without a doubt, this novel one of the most powerful book to be read on the subject of abuse. By holding the book, it will hold you: trembling, crying, hoping, and finally, within the final pages, triumphant.

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

This book was assigned to my daughter's class (12 year olds)and they were suppose to read and discuss it in a group. I do't know many 12 year olds who would willingly discuss the subject matter in a group (esp. a mixed sex group). My daughter got 16 pages into it and came to us very upset so my wife and I read it late that night. This book is very powerful and can be very upsetting to kids. I feel it is too intense for 12 year olds. I would not recommend it for young adults unless you as a parent are willing to read this with your children and discuss it. Be prepared for it troubling your child. It talks of another abuse victim committing suicide and no one believing the victim. It also contains very explicit language like: "He F***s me!!".

Well the book When She Hollers is a groundbreaking book. A very powerful novel that holds the reader trembling, and scard for the young teenage girl's life.
Tish is the young girl that has been being sexually abuse by her stepfather Tonnie for as long as she can remember. The story is based around her tring to fight for her life. The novel goes from one day to the next, her really facing the abuse that has been happen for so long. She determines that she need to take some type of action. The teinsion intensifies more and more as the stoy goes, not knowing what is going to happen next. Tish has been a victim of sexual abuse and decides to no longer be a victim.She feels that she will get out of this by killing him, so he doesn't kill her. *****GREAT NOVEL!

The story When She Hollers is a very interesting novel. I am only one of the millions of people that have read this astounding mystery. The main character of the novel is a scared girl named Tish. When she was young her father abandoned her and her mother remarried to a guy named Tonnie. Tonnie was physically abusing Tish while she was young and even as she got older. Tish wanted to tell people about the abuse but was afraid that no one would believe her. She carries a knife with her in her right boot when she goes to a lawyer's office to get advice. She returns home and calls her stepfather out of the house. To find out what happens next you need to pick the book up and read it. I started reading the book because I had forgotten my other book and it was a short book worth seven points. As I was reading the book I could tell that Tish was like some people I know and they need help or something serious could happen.

The stream-of-consciousness style is a bit difficult to get used to, and I imagine it would be even worse for a young reader to deal with.

If you can get past that, and past the disturbing subject matter, the book is wonderful. I'm not one who believes that all books for "young adults" should be all sweetness and light, but I frequently find that those that are not rely heavily on cinematic supernatural horror. Voigt steers clear of both paths to create a story that is made all the more horrifying *because* it is realistic.

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.