Books
Cover Artist: Rachelle Baker
Cover Designer: Micah Fleming
ALL THE FIGHTING PARTS
Abrams/Amulet, September 19, 2023
Out Now!
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“An unforgettable story of healing told through phenomenal poetry.” -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Achingly profound and inspiring; a must for all collections.” -School Library Journal, Starred Review
In the vein of Grown and The Poet X, a searing and defiant novel in verse about reclaiming agency after a sexual assault within the church community
Sixteen-year-old Amina Conteh has always believed in using her tongue as her weapon—even when it gets her into trouble. After cursing at a classmate, her father forces her to volunteer at their church with Pastor Johnson.
But Pastor Johnson isn’t the holy man everyone thinks he is.
The same voice Amina uses to fight falls quiet the night she is sexually assaulted by Pastor Johnson. After that, her life starts to unravel: her father is frustrated that her grades are slipping, and her best friend and boyfriend don’t understand why the once loud and proud girl is now quiet and distant. In a world that claims to support survivors, Amina wonders who will support her when her attacker is everyone's favorite community leader.
When Pastor Johnson is arrested for a different crime, the community is shaken and divided; some call him a monster and others defend him. But Amina is secretly relieved. She no longer has to speak because Pastor Johnson can't hurt her anymore–or so she believes.
To regain her voice and sense of self, Amina must find the power to confront her abuser—in the courtroom and her heart—and learn to use all the fighting parts within her.
Praise for ALL THE FIGHTING PARTS:
“Gutsy and defiant, All the Fighting Parts is a battle hymn for loud-mouthed girls, and a searing invitation to all—but especially survivors—to speak their truth.”
-Joy McCullough, New York Times bestselling author of Blood Water Paint and Enter the Body
“A heartbreaking (and healing) accomplishment of storytelling and poetry that will change lives and set a standard for YA to come. Amina’s tale is told with grace, rage, and beauty; this book is a victory.”
-Mark Oshiro, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sun and the Star, Anger os a Gift, and Each of Us
“I devoured this book. I can't emphasize enough how much this story feels like it's about a real person. Someone we have loved, or heard gossip about, or dismissed in passing. Sawyerr has given us a page-turner that looks unflinchingly on how we treat survivors of assault that we perceive as strong and difficult versus those we deem passive and polite, and how there is no winning between those two modes of being. What a lightning bolt of a debut.”
-Jordan Ifueko, New York Times bestselling author of Raybearer and Redemptor
“The sharp shift in tone and structure instantly divides Amina’s story into a stark before and after in the same way an assault can divide a life. But she, like most courageous victims, refuses to let divide define her. A heroic and candid debut.”
-Ashley Woodfolk, critically acclaimed author of Nothing Burns as Bright as You
“Incredibly moving, beautifully written, and oh-so powerful, All the Fighting Parts is a stunning debut novel-in-verse. Hannah V. Sawyerr is a talent to watch.”
-Liz Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of The Agathas, The Night in Question, and The Lucky Ones
“Perfect for readers of Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson and The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, All the Fighting Parts is an honest, brilliant, and powerful novel-in-verse. Amina’s story isn’t just about a girl who survives sexual assault. Readers will root for her as she journeys through survival, grief of losing a parent, and the role faith can play in finding oneself. A mixed media novel filled with smart writing and honest poetry, Sawyerr tackles difficult topics like religion, sexuality, and survival with tenderness and care. A must read for anyone who has ever felt the words ‘me too’ in their heart.”
-Dante Medema, author of The Truth Project
“From the very first pages of All the Fighting Parts, Amina grabbed me with her will to not just survive but thrive. Raw, no-nonsense verse digs deep into Amina’s emotions as she fights her way back after sexual assault to find her voice and reclaim her life. An incredible, empowering book.”
-Kip Wilson, award-winning author of White Rose and The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin
“A powerful story about what must be done with silence. Sawyerr gives us the answer that we all need to hear: Break it.”
-Olivia A. Cole, author of Dear Medusa