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Say It Out Loud
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.
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.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 24, 2021
14 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
June 2, 2022
I can hear you say you’re way too old to read this book and its main target readers are younger generations which I disagree because the things are discussed and told here also resonate with everyone. It’s about : learning to find your voice and SPEAK UP!
Most of us forget to use it at younger ages because when we want to express our selves honestly, we also hesitate to do it bravely. In our family, in our school circle or around your friends there would be always someone to criticize you but it shouldn’t mean you don’t have a valuable voice or nobody cares what you think! You just have to learn trust your guts and jump to the stage and express yourself without worrying about being in the spotlight!
This book reflected the after effects of bullying on YAs so perfectly! Being afraid of being humiliating in front of others make two close friends estranged.
Charlotte suffers from stuttering and she prefers stay silent because the school bullies have power to turn her life into hell but that also means she has to keep her silence when they bully her best friend Maggie. She cannot speak up to protect her even she knows she’s doing something wrong.
But things get escalated when the viral video releases!
Charlotte gets sick of hiding her voice and enduring the unfairness. When she finally finds a way to show her true self by singing in school musical , she finds out the arts program is cut out which is the final straw!
She starts to write letters to school board, doing everything in her power to save the musical. As the words she bottled up slowly get freed, she feels more relieved and now by writing an essay about friendship, she faces her own insecurities, doing everything make things right with her best friend Maggie!
Overall: this is good written, thought provoking, inspirational and extremely emotional read that I truly enjoyed.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Most of us forget to use it at younger ages because when we want to express our selves honestly, we also hesitate to do it bravely. In our family, in our school circle or around your friends there would be always someone to criticize you but it shouldn’t mean you don’t have a valuable voice or nobody cares what you think! You just have to learn trust your guts and jump to the stage and express yourself without worrying about being in the spotlight!
This book reflected the after effects of bullying on YAs so perfectly! Being afraid of being humiliating in front of others make two close friends estranged.
Charlotte suffers from stuttering and she prefers stay silent because the school bullies have power to turn her life into hell but that also means she has to keep her silence when they bully her best friend Maggie. She cannot speak up to protect her even she knows she’s doing something wrong.
But things get escalated when the viral video releases!
Charlotte gets sick of hiding her voice and enduring the unfairness. When she finally finds a way to show her true self by singing in school musical , she finds out the arts program is cut out which is the final straw!
She starts to write letters to school board, doing everything in her power to save the musical. As the words she bottled up slowly get freed, she feels more relieved and now by writing an essay about friendship, she faces her own insecurities, doing everything make things right with her best friend Maggie!
Overall: this is good written, thought provoking, inspirational and extremely emotional read that I truly enjoyed.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
September 26, 2022
The audiobook is also fantastic!
PREVIOUS REVIEW:
This is stunning. I am infatuated with this book. It sent me on an emotional journey back 29 years to middle school, with all the anxiety, insecurity, and defining moments that go with it. While I read this, I felt 11 all over again. Sometime that was fun, and sometimes, it was awful. I experienced so many moments of crying, followed by laughing, and then crying again. If anyone had watched me read this book, they would have been convinced I had come unhinged, which would have been correct, because that’s what happens when you read a book that is so achingly raw and honest. It takes you to all these real and sometimes difficult places, and let’s you have a look back on who you’ve been and consider who you still want to be.
This novel addresses the bystander effect in a real way, a way that so many people are going to relate to on all different sides. It also provides us with the most lovable character ever in Charlotte. She’s sweet. She’s funny, and she’s afraid of a lot of things, particular that who she is as a person won’t be good enough or will be mocked by others. It’s the kind of fear that eats her up from the inside out and impacts how she reacts in intense or emotional situations. Charlotte struggles to be the best version of herself, but when she panics, she sometimes makes poor choices that hurt herself and others.
Charlotte stutters, and is very self conscious about it. This plays a major role in the story. I have read a lot of middle grade novels, but I have never read one that addressed stuttering in such an interesting and through away. It’s a way that helped me really understand what it must feel like to stutter and all the challenges, stereotypes, and disrespect that can come along with that. Since the author also stutters, I knew reading this, that she must have dug into those deepest and darkest emotions and self doubts, in order to give Charlotte so much voice and authenticity. She’s an incredible and compelling character with so much depth and heart. This book addresses what it feels like to stutter, in a way that often broke my heart. It also shows us ways in which people can try to manage a stutter or regroup, whenever words don’t come out the same as everyone else. It’s so informative, without ever feeling like it’s educating me. I just followed Charlotte on her journey and learned so much about what it feels like to fight for your words, and also, how important it is for others to be patient, empathetic, and accepting when it comes to differences in communicating.
The adults in this story are all amazing. They’re loving and supportive. They really care and try. I love seeing that in a middle grade novel, and since Charlotte keeps everything locked up tight inside, it took a whole lot of different types of mentors and support to help push her, prod her, and encourage her to speak up and be the best and most honest version of herself. Each mentor played a different role in helping her find her voice and fix her mistakes, and I loved them all.
This book is well-written, relatable, and relevant. I wish this book had been on my shelves when I was still a middle school librarian, because I knew so many kids that needed this story and would have benefited from reading about a character that they could relate to. This book is like a long, warm hug for anyone who has ever struggled to navigate through the storm tossed seas of middle school, while just trying to keep keep their head above water. It’s gorgeous and painful and triumphant, and I’m still emotional about it, a whole day later.
I could really use a Charlotte in my life. I think she’s magnificent, and I adore her.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC for review. I loved this one so much that I have already gone out and preordered the hardcover and the audiobook. I’m pretty sure that I will be hugging this book, as soon as the print version arrives at my house. Release date is August 24, 2021, so just preorder it now. That way you don’t forget. You aren’t going to want to miss this one. It’s worth your time and the emotional investment.
PS: I almost totally forgot to mention that this story has a musical theater element, and that it is fantastic and adds a lot of fun and humor to the story. If you love musicals, this will be right up your alley. This book really does have it all. I practically wrote you a novel, just to tell you how much I love it.
FIRST REVIEW:
Absolute perfection. I adore this book. Full review tomorrow. I’m too emotional to write anything coherent tonight.
PREVIOUS REVIEW:
This is stunning. I am infatuated with this book. It sent me on an emotional journey back 29 years to middle school, with all the anxiety, insecurity, and defining moments that go with it. While I read this, I felt 11 all over again. Sometime that was fun, and sometimes, it was awful. I experienced so many moments of crying, followed by laughing, and then crying again. If anyone had watched me read this book, they would have been convinced I had come unhinged, which would have been correct, because that’s what happens when you read a book that is so achingly raw and honest. It takes you to all these real and sometimes difficult places, and let’s you have a look back on who you’ve been and consider who you still want to be.
This novel addresses the bystander effect in a real way, a way that so many people are going to relate to on all different sides. It also provides us with the most lovable character ever in Charlotte. She’s sweet. She’s funny, and she’s afraid of a lot of things, particular that who she is as a person won’t be good enough or will be mocked by others. It’s the kind of fear that eats her up from the inside out and impacts how she reacts in intense or emotional situations. Charlotte struggles to be the best version of herself, but when she panics, she sometimes makes poor choices that hurt herself and others.
Charlotte stutters, and is very self conscious about it. This plays a major role in the story. I have read a lot of middle grade novels, but I have never read one that addressed stuttering in such an interesting and through away. It’s a way that helped me really understand what it must feel like to stutter and all the challenges, stereotypes, and disrespect that can come along with that. Since the author also stutters, I knew reading this, that she must have dug into those deepest and darkest emotions and self doubts, in order to give Charlotte so much voice and authenticity. She’s an incredible and compelling character with so much depth and heart. This book addresses what it feels like to stutter, in a way that often broke my heart. It also shows us ways in which people can try to manage a stutter or regroup, whenever words don’t come out the same as everyone else. It’s so informative, without ever feeling like it’s educating me. I just followed Charlotte on her journey and learned so much about what it feels like to fight for your words, and also, how important it is for others to be patient, empathetic, and accepting when it comes to differences in communicating.
The adults in this story are all amazing. They’re loving and supportive. They really care and try. I love seeing that in a middle grade novel, and since Charlotte keeps everything locked up tight inside, it took a whole lot of different types of mentors and support to help push her, prod her, and encourage her to speak up and be the best and most honest version of herself. Each mentor played a different role in helping her find her voice and fix her mistakes, and I loved them all.
This book is well-written, relatable, and relevant. I wish this book had been on my shelves when I was still a middle school librarian, because I knew so many kids that needed this story and would have benefited from reading about a character that they could relate to. This book is like a long, warm hug for anyone who has ever struggled to navigate through the storm tossed seas of middle school, while just trying to keep keep their head above water. It’s gorgeous and painful and triumphant, and I’m still emotional about it, a whole day later.
I could really use a Charlotte in my life. I think she’s magnificent, and I adore her.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC for review. I loved this one so much that I have already gone out and preordered the hardcover and the audiobook. I’m pretty sure that I will be hugging this book, as soon as the print version arrives at my house. Release date is August 24, 2021, so just preorder it now. That way you don’t forget. You aren’t going to want to miss this one. It’s worth your time and the emotional investment.
PS: I almost totally forgot to mention that this story has a musical theater element, and that it is fantastic and adds a lot of fun and humor to the story. If you love musicals, this will be right up your alley. This book really does have it all. I practically wrote you a novel, just to tell you how much I love it.
FIRST REVIEW:
Absolute perfection. I adore this book. Full review tomorrow. I’m too emotional to write anything coherent tonight.
October 27, 2021
Am I crying? Yes.
Are they happy tears? Also yes.
Am I upset that Random House Children's took away the Send to Kindle button on NetGalley? 1000% yes.
*edit February 1, 2021: they brought the Kindle button back! no idea why it disappeared for a couple weeks, but I'm so happy that I can now FIX THE FONT SIZE and also highlight all my favorite quotes again!
If realistic stories about middle school girls are what you're looking for, this is the book you want! I haven't read a ton of middle grade contemporaries this year, but I'd recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON and THE RETAKE!
Full review to be published closer to the publication date on kaitplusbooks.com!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Storygraph
Are they happy tears? Also yes.
Am I upset that Random House Children's took away the Send to Kindle button on NetGalley? 1000% yes.
*edit February 1, 2021: they brought the Kindle button back! no idea why it disappeared for a couple weeks, but I'm so happy that I can now FIX THE FONT SIZE and also highlight all my favorite quotes again!
If realistic stories about middle school girls are what you're looking for, this is the book you want! I haven't read a ton of middle grade contemporaries this year, but I'd recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON and THE RETAKE!
Full review to be published closer to the publication date on kaitplusbooks.com!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Storygraph
January 26, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this gem.
We all want to be the ones to do the right thing, and to stand up for the ones who need it, but it's so much harder, when it puts us in someone else's crosshairs. Charlotte is stuck in just that situation when she starts middle school hoping to fly under the radar. When she and her best friend are witness to a bullying incident on the bus, Maggie can't keep quiet, but Charlotte can't speak up. When the bullies turn on Maggie, and then Charlotte, she can't figure out how to be. friend to Maggie, and to protect herself at the same time.
I truly loved this book. Charlotte's story is a great one (and her situation is all too relatable). What makes this story a stand out, is how Charlotte chooses to speak out and show kindness when she can't seem to find her voice. I can't wait for this book to hit store shelves and student book boxes!
We all want to be the ones to do the right thing, and to stand up for the ones who need it, but it's so much harder, when it puts us in someone else's crosshairs. Charlotte is stuck in just that situation when she starts middle school hoping to fly under the radar. When she and her best friend are witness to a bullying incident on the bus, Maggie can't keep quiet, but Charlotte can't speak up. When the bullies turn on Maggie, and then Charlotte, she can't figure out how to be. friend to Maggie, and to protect herself at the same time.
I truly loved this book. Charlotte's story is a great one (and her situation is all too relatable). What makes this story a stand out, is how Charlotte chooses to speak out and show kindness when she can't seem to find her voice. I can't wait for this book to hit store shelves and student book boxes!
December 6, 2020
*I received a free eARC of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review*
Say It Out Loud is the perfect book for Middle Grade readers. It brings so many things that kids face to the forefront and handles them so well. It’s not just a book about a girl that sees someone getting bullied and realizes her mistake in not saying anything and saves the world. No it shows what a sixth grader goes through dealing with the shame of not standing up for their friend and the fear of being the next person bullied. Maybe it’s because I dealt with things like that when I was Charlottes age I really felt for her. While I never had a stutter I was pulled out of class for Special Education to help with my dyslexia and it was awful thinking everyone knew why I was being called out of class. To add onto that I had someone bullying me it made that year hard. But most books don’t face things like that head on as well as Say It Out Loud does.
It shows Charlotte dealing with her own insecurities with her stutter and the fact that she didn’t stand up for her best friend the way that she should have while also showing her grow as a person. Really it’s a great book for kids so they see that there are so many things they can go through but they can grow from all of it just like Charlotte does.
Say It Out Loud is the perfect book for Middle Grade readers. It brings so many things that kids face to the forefront and handles them so well. It’s not just a book about a girl that sees someone getting bullied and realizes her mistake in not saying anything and saves the world. No it shows what a sixth grader goes through dealing with the shame of not standing up for their friend and the fear of being the next person bullied. Maybe it’s because I dealt with things like that when I was Charlottes age I really felt for her. While I never had a stutter I was pulled out of class for Special Education to help with my dyslexia and it was awful thinking everyone knew why I was being called out of class. To add onto that I had someone bullying me it made that year hard. But most books don’t face things like that head on as well as Say It Out Loud does.
It shows Charlotte dealing with her own insecurities with her stutter and the fact that she didn’t stand up for her best friend the way that she should have while also showing her grow as a person. Really it’s a great book for kids so they see that there are so many things they can go through but they can grow from all of it just like Charlotte does.
December 18, 2020
This book was received as an ARC from Random House Children's - Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I love how this book really focuses on the power of words and how important it is to have that self confidence to speak up for what you believe is right. I can relate to Charlotte's story and how at first she did not want to get into musical theatre but discovered she has a gift for singing and when she started to get into her groove, the music program at her school has been cut out of the school budget. Now, that she discovered her voice, Charlotte does not hold back and finally uses her voice to save the musical. This book is inspirational more than ever and was perfectly timed at its release date. People need to rely on themselves to speak up for their beliefs and not rely on others and hope and pray that it all gets better.
We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
I love how this book really focuses on the power of words and how important it is to have that self confidence to speak up for what you believe is right. I can relate to Charlotte's story and how at first she did not want to get into musical theatre but discovered she has a gift for singing and when she started to get into her groove, the music program at her school has been cut out of the school budget. Now, that she discovered her voice, Charlotte does not hold back and finally uses her voice to save the musical. This book is inspirational more than ever and was perfectly timed at its release date. People need to rely on themselves to speak up for their beliefs and not rely on others and hope and pray that it all gets better.
We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
December 6, 2020
I have a special place in my heart for kids who stutter (I'm an SLP) and so it's especially exciting to meet a character like Charlotte and imagine how my clients would feel reading this special book. It's also so important for kids who aren't familiar with stuttering to experience what it's like, through the eyes of Charlotte, and see how she's also a regular kid with interests (musicals!) and fears (standing out, using her voice), just like them. I hope you all love this wonderful book as much as I did!
February 15, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC of Say It Out Loud by Allison Varnes. This book really resonated with me as I I really related to Charlotte, the main character of this book. Charlotte stutters and is self conscious of that. When her best friend gets bullied on the bus, Charlotte neglects to stand up for her, afraid that the bullies will then target her. This ruins their friendship, which Charlotte then has to try to repair. In another plot line, Charlotte loves musical theater and has learned that this will be the last year for the class. For both plot lines, she has to learn how to speak up for herself and how to "speak her truth". While I don't stutter, as a child, I was EXTREMELY shy and socially anxious yet still enthralled with musical theater. I recall seeing others bullied and knowing I should say something but being afraid to, for fear that the bullies would then pick on me. I lived Charlotte's story. I love how Charlotte found a way to speak her truth.
September 8, 2021
Say It Out Loud is a heartwarming middle grade book about making mistakes and working to take responsibility for them. It centers a young girl who stutters, a friendship fracture, as well as a middle school musical. This story scores points for positive relationships between parents and their kids and helping readers recognize that people are rarely ever just good or bad. I would definitely recommend this one.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book via NetGalley.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book via NetGalley.
September 29, 2021
We all know we should speak up when we witness bullying or any sort of injustice. Right? But what if speaking up draws attention to our own flaws? What if we can’t get the words out right and people laugh at us? Charlotte Andrews has chosen to stay quiet for most of her life to keep people from hearing her embarrassing stutter. However, when she refuses to speak up over a school bus incident she witnessed, she damages her relationship with her very best friend. Is protecting your pride really worth ending a friendship?
This story highlighted the power of the written word. Because even when we’re nervous about saying things out loud, we can still write! Also emphasized is the importance of being a friend who LISTENS. There are multiple ways to support those who are bullied and oppressed and this book was a real call to action. This is also an #ownvoices book as Allison Varnes has struggled with stuttering. If, like me, you enjoyed reading Allison Varnes’s Property of the Rebel Librarian, I dare say Say It Out Loud was even better! I’m happy to recommend this one.
This story highlighted the power of the written word. Because even when we’re nervous about saying things out loud, we can still write! Also emphasized is the importance of being a friend who LISTENS. There are multiple ways to support those who are bullied and oppressed and this book was a real call to action. This is also an #ownvoices book as Allison Varnes has struggled with stuttering. If, like me, you enjoyed reading Allison Varnes’s Property of the Rebel Librarian, I dare say Say It Out Loud was even better! I’m happy to recommend this one.
August 4, 2022
Perfect look at middle school, with all the personal angst about doing the right thing and ultimately finding your voice and courage to make things right. Yay for the musical theater, boo to the bullies. Pg 198 “ I try to make each sentence a hug, maybe it will help someone.” Author note explains her experience as a stutterer.
April 6, 2023
I did not really like the main character which made this one hard to enjoy.
January 15, 2025
This book belongs on your middle school shelves.
❤️
❤️
March 17, 2022
I loved this read aloud for my 9 & 11 year old girls. It was such a real life, middle school situation that everyone will be faced with at some point. It brought up great discussions and showed how something as small as an encouraging not can truly make a difference.
March 22, 2022
I listened to this book with my 10 year old and it did a beautiful job of addressing the issues of bullying, being a good friend, struggling with insecurities, and being able to make a difference. It held our interest and portrayed many common thoughts for kids such as "I'm the only one who..." or thoughts of shame and inadequacy. The main character had a sweet relationship with her parents and it was an uplifting and family positive book.
February 15, 2021
This book is such a timely title. While the issues the main character is struggling to raise her voice about are mostly bullying...it can apply to racist comments, political opinions, and the rights of others everywhere. This is great book with fast pacing that middle grade students will devour. It is funny and thoughtful and full of great life lessons.
September 6, 2021
I have read some good YA titles in the past. Some that really made me think.
Say It Out Loud falls into that area. It's a great story with a big message.
Middle school is hard for everyone.
Some just seem to have a harder time of it.
Between changing bodies and needing to find where you fit in, it can easily become a few years worth of material to fill your nightmares.
Charlotte finds this out rather quickly as she and her best friend, Maddie, end up getting attention from some bullies on their bus. This happens after Maddie speaks up about them bullying another boy.
Charlotte doesn't want to be seen or be a regular target. So, the next day she just walks past Maddie on the bus to sit in the back. And witnesses how Maddie is the new target of the 2 bullies. Shunning her friend becomes the "bad thing" which she now considers insurmountable to overcome. So for months, she is without her best friend because a simple sorry isn't enough to bridge the divide.
in the meantime, she has to navigate potential perils while stressing out about her 'flaw', stuttering. And realizes that through writing she can find her voice and use it to make the world a better place.
Overall, this was a good read even if I'm well outside the age range the book primarily targets. And that's okay because I think there are many of us who need a reminder to speak up for others. To find our voice and use it.
Say It Out Loud falls into that area. It's a great story with a big message.
Middle school is hard for everyone.
Some just seem to have a harder time of it.
Between changing bodies and needing to find where you fit in, it can easily become a few years worth of material to fill your nightmares.
Charlotte finds this out rather quickly as she and her best friend, Maddie, end up getting attention from some bullies on their bus. This happens after Maddie speaks up about them bullying another boy.
Charlotte doesn't want to be seen or be a regular target. So, the next day she just walks past Maddie on the bus to sit in the back. And witnesses how Maddie is the new target of the 2 bullies. Shunning her friend becomes the "bad thing" which she now considers insurmountable to overcome. So for months, she is without her best friend because a simple sorry isn't enough to bridge the divide.
in the meantime, she has to navigate potential perils while stressing out about her 'flaw', stuttering. And realizes that through writing she can find her voice and use it to make the world a better place.
Overall, this was a good read even if I'm well outside the age range the book primarily targets. And that's okay because I think there are many of us who need a reminder to speak up for others. To find our voice and use it.
September 8, 2021
Middle-schooler Charlotte and her best friend Maddie find themselves on the bus with two bullies. When the bullies target Ben by throwing a wad of gum that lands in his hair, Maddie speaks up. Charlotte, who has a stuttering problem, prefers to remain unnoticed. When the bullies set their sights on Maddie for snitching, Charlotte knows she should stand up for her friend. She chooses to protect herself instead, a choice that becomes A Bad Thing.
Through caring teachers and challenging writing and theater classes, Charlotte finds her voice. When she sees the power of her written words as a force for good, she gains the courage to use her spoken words, as well.
Though middle school was many years ago for this reader, the story transported me back to those hallways as if I were there yesterday. I related to Charlotte's fears, her desire for self-preservation, and the difficulty of speaking out when you already feel like an outsider. Once I began Charlotte's story, I could not leave her! I was engaged from page 1 and finished the book in two sittings. The themes of kindness, forgiveness, and the power of words are needed now more than ever.
Through caring teachers and challenging writing and theater classes, Charlotte finds her voice. When she sees the power of her written words as a force for good, she gains the courage to use her spoken words, as well.
Though middle school was many years ago for this reader, the story transported me back to those hallways as if I were there yesterday. I related to Charlotte's fears, her desire for self-preservation, and the difficulty of speaking out when you already feel like an outsider. Once I began Charlotte's story, I could not leave her! I was engaged from page 1 and finished the book in two sittings. The themes of kindness, forgiveness, and the power of words are needed now more than ever.
August 23, 2021
Going into middle school is tough, going into middle school with a stutter is a nightmare waiting to happen. Charlotte is desperate to hide the fact that she has a stutter. Bullies start to pick on her best friend, and when Charlotte tries to stand up for her friend her stutter makes her a target for bullying as well. In that moment Charlotte makes a choice that could ruin her friendship forever. Can Charlotte find her voice, mend a friendship, and create change within her school before it is to late?
What do I love about this book. I love that Charlotte is a character that kids will identify with. She is raw and open with her thoughts, and just realistic. She is not the perfect pristine middle schooler who is normally portrayed in a lot of teen books. She is normal and average, but capable of being so much more. Her struggle with how do can she fix the harm she has inflicted, along with how can she create change within her school, and at the same time trying to find a voice are ones that teens will connect with. This book is just overall very relatable, and I love the message it promotes. Great job. A book I am super excited to recommend to any middle age reader.
Thank you so much Random House Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.
What do I love about this book. I love that Charlotte is a character that kids will identify with. She is raw and open with her thoughts, and just realistic. She is not the perfect pristine middle schooler who is normally portrayed in a lot of teen books. She is normal and average, but capable of being so much more. Her struggle with how do can she fix the harm she has inflicted, along with how can she create change within her school, and at the same time trying to find a voice are ones that teens will connect with. This book is just overall very relatable, and I love the message it promotes. Great job. A book I am super excited to recommend to any middle age reader.
Thank you so much Random House Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.
August 29, 2021
This is one of my favorite middle grade reads of the year and I'm already planning to read it aloud to my 4th graders as soon as I get my hands on a physical copy!
This book tells the story of Charlotte Andrews, a middle school student who has a stutter. Charlotte is often quiet so that people can't make fun of her speech, while her best friend, Maggie, is outspoken and stands up for what she believes in. When the girls witness bullying on the bus, Maggie tries to help, but Charlotte chooses to stay quiet and her silence threatens to end their friendship. Charlotte also finds out that her theater program is going to be taken away due to lack of funding. In both situations, she knows she needs to speak up, but her stutter keeps getting in the way. Charlotte starts writing anonymous encouraging notes to her classmates and when she sees that they're making a difference, she hopes to use her writing to save both her friendship with Maggie and the theater program.
My favorite part of Say It Out Loud is that the situations are true to what middle grade students experience and the lessons the characters learn can be applied to young readers' lives. I think all of my 4th graders will be able to see themselves in at least one of the characters in this book which will prompt great discussions in our classroom. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced audiobook of Say It Out Loud. I can't wait to share it with my students!
This book tells the story of Charlotte Andrews, a middle school student who has a stutter. Charlotte is often quiet so that people can't make fun of her speech, while her best friend, Maggie, is outspoken and stands up for what she believes in. When the girls witness bullying on the bus, Maggie tries to help, but Charlotte chooses to stay quiet and her silence threatens to end their friendship. Charlotte also finds out that her theater program is going to be taken away due to lack of funding. In both situations, she knows she needs to speak up, but her stutter keeps getting in the way. Charlotte starts writing anonymous encouraging notes to her classmates and when she sees that they're making a difference, she hopes to use her writing to save both her friendship with Maggie and the theater program.
My favorite part of Say It Out Loud is that the situations are true to what middle grade students experience and the lessons the characters learn can be applied to young readers' lives. I think all of my 4th graders will be able to see themselves in at least one of the characters in this book which will prompt great discussions in our classroom. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced audiobook of Say It Out Loud. I can't wait to share it with my students!
September 4, 2021
I started the book around the first, but due to not feeling well because of my COVID shot I really got started yesterday. I went from chapter 2 to the end by the end of the night! It is fast paced, heartbreaking, inspiring, and motivating! I am a 39 yr old former teacher and I read all kinds of books. Charlotte’s struggle took me back to middle school and the time I stood up to the bully for a friend in high school. Charlotte’s message of kindness even inspired me to leave a positive comment on Facebook that I had ignored until after I finished the book!
I read Ms. Varnes’ first book, and I believe this one might be better! Both are great books with strong, inspiring characters! I hope she has another book coming out soon!!!
I read Ms. Varnes’ first book, and I believe this one might be better! Both are great books with strong, inspiring characters! I hope she has another book coming out soon!!!
November 12, 2021
What a fantastic message for kids (and adults) alike that, often but not always, kindness breeds more kindness. And it's never too late to right a wrong and set things right.
Really enjoyed this delightful little tale of friendship, forgiveness, coming of age, overcoming adversity, and finding your voice.
Really enjoyed this delightful little tale of friendship, forgiveness, coming of age, overcoming adversity, and finding your voice.
December 28, 2021
Charlotte is about to start middle school with her close friend, Maddie. Charlotte wants to be a normal sixth-grader instead of a shy, self-conscious girl with a stuttering problem. When Charlotte and Maddie witness two bullies, Tristan and Ben, harassing individual students on the bus, Maddie wants to do something about it. Charlotte fears repercussions from the bullies and has difficulty finding her voice. When the boys turn on Maddie and begin bullying her, Charlotte acts without thinking and doesn't sit with her friend on the bus. Maddie is devastated and refuses to be Charlotte's friend. Maddie feels awful that she has damaged their friendship and looks for ways to heal it.
While Charlotte is making new friends at school and trying out for a part in the school's production of The Wizard of Oz, she looks for a way to make things right with Charlotte while helping other children feel good about themselves. I think the author, Allison Varnes, does a masterful job of building a realistic plot filled with believable characters. The struggles for Charlotte are the types of situations that kids in middle school regularly experience. Do I stand up for the underdog? Do I ignore the bullies for fear they may turn on me next t? Do I have the courage to use my voice?
I am an enormous fan of children's books that embed real-life lessons to children in an entertaining and captivating manner. Varnes does that skillfully. I would recommend this as a read-aloud for middle school teachers or children in grades 4-8. It is one of the best children's books I've read this year.
While Charlotte is making new friends at school and trying out for a part in the school's production of The Wizard of Oz, she looks for a way to make things right with Charlotte while helping other children feel good about themselves. I think the author, Allison Varnes, does a masterful job of building a realistic plot filled with believable characters. The struggles for Charlotte are the types of situations that kids in middle school regularly experience. Do I stand up for the underdog? Do I ignore the bullies for fear they may turn on me next t? Do I have the courage to use my voice?
I am an enormous fan of children's books that embed real-life lessons to children in an entertaining and captivating manner. Varnes does that skillfully. I would recommend this as a read-aloud for middle school teachers or children in grades 4-8. It is one of the best children's books I've read this year.
January 20, 2024
Like many sixth graders, Charlotte is nervous about starting middle school. She’s certainly proven right to be nervous due to bullies on the bus, worrying about her stutter and her choices affecting her relationship with her best friend. Charlotte learns the importance of kindness, and speaking up, even when speaking up means doing it in writing.
September 16, 2021
I can't say enough good things about this book. I laughed, I cried, I felt all that Middle School angst all over again.
You should buy this book. buy it for yourself, for your kids, for the children and grownups in your life.
I really, really, really loved, loved, LOVED this book!
You should buy this book. buy it for yourself, for your kids, for the children and grownups in your life.
I really, really, really loved, loved, LOVED this book!
October 12, 2021
A great read for elementary and middle school. Great themes of stuttering, bullying, standing up for others and not being a bystander, kindness, and friendships. A must-read for all and a must for all libraries.
July 14, 2021
This book should be a compulsory read for every middle schooler or soon to be middle schooler. Not only is this story beautifully written, with realistic characters, plot lines, and settings, but it provides such an uplifting message to those students who feel alone, marginalized, or different.
Readers will probably be inspired to take up their own campaigns of kindness or at least find the courage to find their own voice after reading this book.
Readers will probably be inspired to take up their own campaigns of kindness or at least find the courage to find their own voice after reading this book.
November 6, 2021
Will Charlotte's stutter keep her from using her voice when it matters most -- on stage in her musical theater class and on the bus in the midst of bullying?
August 30, 2021
After fear of being bullied for her stutter makes a sixth grader abandon her best friend, a musical theater class inspires her to write encouraging notes to other targets of bullying--and eventually to the bullies themselves.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
This novel took me right back to middle school. The shifting, straining friendships, the bullying, trying to fit in so hard you end up pushing other people out--Varnes captures all of it perfectly. Yet SAY IT OUT LOUD does not feel angsty. The musical theater plot line and positive friendships in that class as well as the protagonist's decision early on to start practicing empathy and encouraging others keep a constant thread of hope and inspiration running through the novel. This is a stand-out middle grade book that will be excellent for contemporary fiction readers, schools, and book clubs.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
This novel took me right back to middle school. The shifting, straining friendships, the bullying, trying to fit in so hard you end up pushing other people out--Varnes captures all of it perfectly. Yet SAY IT OUT LOUD does not feel angsty. The musical theater plot line and positive friendships in that class as well as the protagonist's decision early on to start practicing empathy and encouraging others keep a constant thread of hope and inspiration running through the novel. This is a stand-out middle grade book that will be excellent for contemporary fiction readers, schools, and book clubs.
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