Say It Out Loud

 

My Thoughts:

Charlotte is a 6th grader who is afraid to be noticed, afraid that she will be picked on, afraid that she will be teased about her stutter. The one thing she is not afraid of is her friendship with Maddie. Maddie has been her BFF forever. Nothing can change that until Charlotte makes a split second decision to be afraid that changes their relationship. 

One thing her parents know about Charlotte is that she is kind. So when she is not kind, how does she stop being afraid to speak up and speak out? And how does she take her own advice to mend her friendship with Maddie?

This book about being invisible, being brave and using your voice is perfect for middle grades girls. The message is on point. Kindness always wins. 

From the Publisher:

Charlotte Andrews is perfectly fine being quiet--in fact, she prefers it. When she doesn't speak, people can't make fun of her stutter. But when she witnesses bullying on the school bus and doesn't say anything, her silence comes between her and her best friend.

As if that wasn't bad enough, her parents signed her up for musical theater. Charlotte doesn't want to speak onstage, but at least she doesn't stutter when she sings. Then, just as she starts to find her voice, the arts program is cut. Charlotte can't stay silent anymore.

So she begins to write. Anonymous encouraging notes to her classmates. Letters to the school board to save the school musical. And an essay about the end of her best friendship--and her hope that she can still save it.

Words could save Charlotte Andrews and everything she believes in . . . if she just believes in herself enough to speak up.