Readers who prefer audiobooks will enjoy that the book is read by the author herself.

There's occasional strong language (including 's-t' and 'f-ing'), as well as many references to rape and rape culture, but it's all teen appropriate as she attempts to empower young men and women to use their voices, advocate for consent culture, and support survivors of abuse. She recounts not only her own memories of sexual assault, but also those of many (unnamed) readers. Halse Anderson doesn't shy away from mature topics like alcohol and drug use (by adults and teens), domestic abuse, and most overtly, sexual abuse. Then she is finally compelled to write Melinda's story in Speak. Written in verse, the book is also an overview of her entire life, from childhood in upstate New York to the devastating rape at age 13 to a formative year abroad in Denmark in high school, and later her college years and beyond until she's an aspiring writer and mother. In one especially contemplative poem entitled 'how the story found me,' Anderson turns on its head the common refrain 'follow your dreams,' recommending that readers 'follow your nightmares instead / cuz when you figure out what's eating you alive / you can slay it.' Her potent words and willingness to shout her message are proof of the soundness of that advice.' Please note that Anderson will appear here in Tulsa at the 71st Street Barnes & Noble on Monday the 25th the event begins at 7pm and will feature the author in conversation with Kimberly Johnson, CEO of Tulsa City-County Library.Parents need to know that Shout is award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson's memoir that focuses primarily on the aftermath of being sexually assaulted as a young teen, how it inspired her to write her breakthrough novel Speak, and how many readers have made similar revelations to her since the book's publication in 1999. Anderson's new book, which she tells us about, is a memoir in poetry called 'Shout.' As was noted of this moving book in a starred review in Publishers Weekly: 'In this powerful memoir told in free verse, Anderson delves into her past and that of her parents, sharing experiences at the root of novels such as 'Speak' (her rape at the age of 13) and 'The Impossible Knife of Memory' (her father's PTSD after World War II). Her novel 'Speak,' which first appeared two decades ago, was groundbreaking in this regard. Our guest is the bestselling young-adult writer Laurie Halse Anderson, who is widely known and appreciated for the brave manner in which she writes about, and advocates for, survivors of sexual assault.

Shout a poetry memoir