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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, High School Librarian Title: Louder Than Hunger
Author: John Schu
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Year: 2024 Good for Grades: 8-12 Genre/Type of Book: Fiction, novel in verse, based on author's experiences
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: He speaks very frankly about anorexia, depression & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Bullying
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: John Schu...enough said!
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
Don't silence this voice!
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Review:
This book was solidly recommended for middle school students, and maybe 9th grade. However, as I indicated, I think this book could easily be for students through high school. This novel in verse is told from the perspective of 13-year-old Jake, who is bullied in middle school, is a fan of Broadway musicals, is best friends with his grandmother, likes to roller blade and sing, volunteers at a retirement home…and has an eating disorder. Jake’s story is told as he is struggling to quiet “the voice” in his head (represented in the text in all capitals) that tells him he is unlovable and unworthy. The book is based on the author’s experiences as he struggled with bullying and anorexia as a middle school student. The reference to this voice “being louder than hunger” is reflected in the title. I think one of the powers in this beautifully written book is that Jake is a boy, and we don’t often see the male perspective of eating disorders represented in literature.
I found the book to be very moving and real. It takes place in the 1990s so there are references to that period that students may not get, but this doesn’t distract from the message. I became very invested in Jake and his struggle to overcome the VOICE in his head. This was not an easy book to read, Jakes struggles are hard and painful! But it is so necessary as so many readers struggle with these issues along with Jake. His relationship with his parents is difficult too, but we are given a sense of hope that they will prevail and connect with Jake and his journey to recovery.
Schu offers a list of resources at the end of the book, and a letter to readers that is heartfelt and very moving. In this letter he candidly talks about his own struggles which I think is very powerful and honest. I think this would be a great book to include in a narrative memoir unit (as it is based on Schu's childhood) and in a health unit on eating disorders or mental health.
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