‘Parts of this story are scary, but trust me: no one needs to be afraid. Hope and love win out.’ Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Della can’t work out why her adored older sister Suki screams in her sleep. Suki has always been Della’s protector, especially after their mother went to prison and her boyfriend took the sisters in. But who has been protecting Suki?

Della is in trouble at school for having a big mouth, but after she stands up to the class bully other girls rally to her cause. When Suki tries to kill herself, Della decides it’s time to tell their secrets and speak out about the terrible things that happened to Suki. Bound by love and trauma, these two sisters must find their own voices before they can find their way back to each other.

Based on the author’s personal experience, this gripping and essential story explodes the stigma around child sexual abuse. Written from the heart, with tenderness, compassion and humour, Fighting Words is about finding the words to talk about the most difficult things in young adults’ lives.

‘Fighting Words has so many important things to say about girls and their bodies, about agency, power and consent. Della and Suki’s story of sisterhood and found family can be challenging and affecting – it’s also funny, uplifting and ultimately triumphant. Books like this can change lives.’ Vikki Wakefield, author of This Is How We Change the Ending