Overview

The instant New York Times bestseller! “Every so often a book comes along that is so brave and necessary, it extends a lifeline when it’s needed most. This is one of those books.” —Katherine Applegate, author of the Newbery Medal–winning, The One and Only Ivan Revered teacher, librarian, and story ambassador John Schu explores anorexia—and self-expression as an act of survival—in a wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse. But another voice inside me says, We need help. We’re going to die. Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age . . . and the cruelty of mirrors . . . and food. Jake has read about kids like him in books—the weird one, the outsider—and would do anything not to be that kid, including shrink himself down to nothing. But the less he eats, the bigger he feels. How long can Jake punish himself before he truly disappears? A fictionalized account of the author’s experiences and emotions living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder, Louder than Hunger is a triumph of raw honesty. With a deeply personal afterword for context, this much-anticipated verse novel is a powerful model for muffling the destructive voices inside, managing and articulating pain, and embracing self-acceptance, support, and love.

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9781536229097

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Reviews

Every so often a book comes along that is so brave and necessary, it extends a lifeline when it’s needed most. This is one of those books. —Katherine Applegate, author of the Newbery Medal–winning, The One and Only Ivan A beautiful, powerful, and emotionally impactful book. Jake’s story will fill you with hope and the courage to face your own challenges! —Jeff Kinney, author of the New York Times best-selling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series Captivating, poignant, graceful, and so important. John Schu is a masterful storyteller, and his lyrical prose will be relatable to anyone dealing with self-acceptance. It’s the kind of book that adults will want to put into the hands of kids, but they won’t need to. Kids will be giving it to each other. —Dav Pilkey, author of the New York Times best-selling Dog Man series Masterfully lyrical, powerfully raw, and incredibly moving, Louder Than Hunger is a marvel. Jake’s story will break and mend your heart. A book full of unflinching and vulnerable truths, but also filtered with inspiring light. Necessary and important. —Jasmine Warga, best-selling and Newbery Honor–winning author of Other Words for Home Told with brutal honesty, this is an important story about confronting anorexia’s all-too-loud voice and healing so it stays silenced—once and for all. —Lisa Fipps, author of the Michael L. Printz Honor Book Starfish Louder Than Hunger is a powerful and important book, giving readers entry into the world of a sensitive teen, struggling physically and emotionally with crippling anxiety and anorexia. Through his free verse voice, we accompany Jake into his honest, raw, vulnerable world. I think readers of all ages will empathize with him, worry for him, and root for his journey to understanding, recovery, hope, and joy. Those who know the author, John Schu, and have witnessed his boundless enthusiasm and legendary passion for reading and the transformative power of story will connect on an even deeper level upon learning that Jake’s story parallels John Schu’s own. From troubled teen to author and speaker surging with compassion and joy and willing to share it all with the world—that is John Schu. —Newbery Medalist Sharon Creech Louder Than Hunger pours its whole heart onto the page, bravely exposing the raw spaces within to give readers that rare and precious gift: hope. —Minh Lê, award-winning author of Drawn Together Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. A raw, honest, heartrending story about shouting down that voice in your head that says you’re worthless. —Alan Gratz, author of the New York Times best-selling Refugee Heartbreakingly honest and unforgettable. —Kelly Yang, New York Times best-selling author of the Front Desk series Sometimes hope comes along and it’s book-shaped—like this. Like Jake and his gentle vulnerability, his big, beautiful heart, his journey that will remind so many readers they aren’t alone. I adored every page of this story. —Natalie Lloyd, New York Times best-selling author of A Snicker of Magic Jake had my heart right from the beginning of this powerful, moving story about healing and resilience. —Supriya Kelkar, author of American as Paneer Pie A must-read! Louder Than Hunger by John Schu shines a light on the power to quiet the voice that anchors doubt, tells lies, and steals confidence. The reader will root for Jake. Worry about Jake. Love Jake. His beautiful heart, his Broadway spirit, his bravery. This powerful heartprint story will change you. In the very best possible way. —Elly Swartz, author of Finding Perfect When we read an incredible story, our hearts can grow with every word. I do believe my heart grew three sizes. —Pernille Ripp, educator, author, and founder of the Global Read Aloud Life-changing. —Travis Jonker, librarian, author, and illustrator

“Told with brutal honesty, this is an important story about confronting anorexia’s all-too-loud voice and healing so it stays silenced—once and for all.” —Lisa Fipps, author of the Michael L. Printz Honor Book Starfish “Masterfully lyrical, powerfully raw, and incredibly moving, Louder Than Hunger is a marvel. Jake’s story will break and mend your heart. A book full of unflinching and vulnerable truths, but also filtered with inspiring light. Necessary and important.” —Jasmine Warga, best-selling and Newbery Honor–winning author of Other Words for Home   “Louder Than Hunger is a powerful and important book, giving readers entry into the world of a sensitive teen, struggling physically and emotionally with crippling anxiety and anorexia. Through his free verse voice, we accompany Jake into his honest, raw, vulnerable world. I think readers of all ages will empathize with him, worry for him, and root for his journey to understanding, recovery, hope, and joy. Those who know the author, John Schu, and have witnessed his boundless enthusiasm and legendary passion for reading and the transformative power of story will connect on an even deeper level upon learning that Jake’s story parallels John Schu’s own. From troubled teen to author and speaker surging with compassion and joy and willing to share it all with the world—that is John Schu.”  —Newbery Medalist Sharon Creech   “This is a book about one of the most common and complicated mental health struggles of adolescence, but it is mostly—and most importantly—a book about a young boy who knows precisely the things that nourish him: things like stories and mix tapes and poems and WOW words and musical theater and the wisdom of a grandmother and the awe of travel. This is also a book about the work it takes to believe in one of the most important of things: one’s right to nourish oneself and to trust that their person is not only permitted to occupy space on a page, on a canvas, on a stage, in a chair, in their jeans, but also deeply loved for doing so. That John Schu takes all the space needed on each of these pages to offer a beautifully rhythmic and visual dance of words to tell a deeply personal and necessary story is itself a full and essential nourishment. I cannot thank him enough.” —Joanna Parzakonis, owner of this is a bookstore & Bookbug “Heartbreakingly honest and unforgettable.” —Kelly Yang, New York Times best-selling author of the Front Desk series   “This novel in verse takes a candid look at a teen’s anxiety and eating disorder as he works to find his place in the world. John Schu candidly tells Jake’s story based on his own experiences, using an engaging format and a beautiful voice to create a compelling novel that will provide mirrors and windows while leading to empathy. I’m going to hand-sell this one over and over again. Bravo, Mr. Schu!” —Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop    “A must-read! Louder Than Hunger by John Schu shines a light on the power to quiet the voice that anchors doubt, tells lies, and steals confidence. The reader will root for Jake. Worry about Jake. Love Jake. His beautiful heart, his Broadway spirit, his bravery. This powerful heartprint story will change you. In the very best possible way.” —Elly Swartz, author of Finding Perfect

Masterfully lyrical, powerfully raw, and incredibly moving, Louder Than Hunger is a marvel. Jake’s story will break and mend your heart. A book full of unflinching and vulnerable truths, but also filtered with inspiring light. Necessary and important. —Jasmine Warga, best-selling and Newbery Honor–winning author of Other Words for Home Told with brutal honesty, this is an important story about confronting anorexia’s all-too-loud voice and healing so it stays silenced—once and for all. —Lisa Fipps, author of the Michael L. Printz Honor Book Starfish Louder Than Hunger is a powerful and important book, giving readers entry into the world of a sensitive teen, struggling physically and emotionally with crippling anxiety and anorexia. Through his free verse voice, we accompany Jake into his honest, raw, vulnerable world. I think readers of all ages will empathize with him, worry for him, and root for his journey to understanding, recovery, hope, and joy. Those who know the author, John Schu, and have witnessed his boundless enthusiasm and legendary passion for reading and the transformative power of story will connect on an even deeper level upon learning that Jake’s story parallels John Schu’s own. From troubled teen to author and speaker surging with compassion and joy and willing to share it all with the world—that is John Schu. —Newbery Medalist Sharon Creech This is a book about one of the most common and complicated mental health struggles of adolescence, but it is mostly—and most importantly—a book about a young boy who knows precisely the things that nourish him: things like stories and mix tapes and poems and WOW words and musical theater and the wisdom of a grandmother and the awe of travel. This is also a book about the work it takes to believe in one of the most important of things: one’s right to nourish oneself and to trust that their person is not only permitted to occupy space on a page, on a canvas, on a stage, in a chair, in their jeans, but also deeply loved for doing so. That John Schu takes all the space needed on each of these pages to offer a beautifully rhythmic and visual dance of words to tell a deeply personal and necessary story is itself a full and essential nourishment. I cannot thank him enough. —Joanna Parzakonis, owner of this is a bookstore & Bookbug Life-changing. —Travis Jonker, librarian, author, and illustrator   Louder Than Hunger pours its whole heart onto the page, bravely exposing the raw spaces within to give readers that rare and precious gift: hope. —Minh Lê, award-winning author of Drawn Together   Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. A raw, honest, heartrending story about shouting down that voice in your head that says you’re worthless. —Alan Gratz, author of the New York Times best-selling Refugee   Jake had my heart right from the beginning of this powerful, moving story about healing and resilience. —Supriya Kelkar, author of American as Paneer Pie   This deeply moving novel in verse captures both the universal pain of adolescent self-doubt and the specificity of anorexia and mental health challenges. Jake’s story is heartbreaking and hopeful, illuminating a path to healing through community and self-expression. Schu’s vulnerable verses answer one of Jake’s own questions: ‘Reading aloud is love—is writing love, too?’ In this case, it surely is, the kind of love that saves lives. —Jess Townes, Main Street Books

Masterfully lyrical, powerfully raw, and incredibly moving, Louder Than Hunger is a marvel. Jake’s story will break and mend your heart. A book full of unflinching and vulnerable truths, but also filtered with inspiring light. Necessary and important. —Jasmine Warga, best-selling and Newbery Honor–winning author of Other Words for Home Told with brutal honesty, this is an important story about confronting anorexia’s all-too-loud voice and healing so it stays silenced—once and for all. —Lisa Fipps, author of the Michael L. Printz Honor Book Starfish Louder Than Hunger is a powerful and important book, giving readers entry into the world of a sensitive teen, struggling physically and emotionally with crippling anxiety and anorexia. Through his free verse voice, we accompany Jake into his honest, raw, vulnerable world. I think readers of all ages will empathize with him, worry for him, and root for his journey to understanding, recovery, hope, and joy. Those who know the author, John Schu, and have witnessed his boundless enthusiasm and legendary passion for reading and the transformative power of story will connect on an even deeper level upon learning that Jake’s story parallels John Schu’s own. From troubled teen to author and speaker surging with compassion and joy and willing to share it all with the world—that is John Schu. —Newbery Medalist Sharon Creech This is a book about one of the most common and complicated mental health struggles of adolescence, but it is mostly—and most importantly—a book about a young boy who knows precisely the things that nourish him: things like stories and mix tapes and poems and WOW words and musical theater and the wisdom of a grandmother and the awe of travel. This is also a book about the work it takes to believe in one of the most important of things: one’s right to nourish oneself and to trust that their person is not only permitted to occupy space on a page, on a canvas, on a stage, in a chair, in their jeans, but also deeply loved for doing so. That John Schu takes all the space needed on each of these pages to offer a beautifully rhythmic and visual dance of words to tell a deeply personal and necessary story is itself a full and essential nourishment. I cannot thank him enough. —Joanna Parzakonis, owner of this is a bookstore & Bookbug

Author Information

John Schu is the author of the acclaimed picture books This Is a School, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison, and This Is a Story, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo. He also wrote the adult study The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life and was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for his dynamic interactions with students and his passionate adoption of new technologies as a means of connecting authors, illustrators, books, and readers. Children’s librarian for Bookelicious, part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and former Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs, Mr. Schu—as he is affectionately known—continues to travel the world to share his love of books. He lives in Naperville, Illinois. You can find him at www.JohnSchu.com and on social media @MrSchuReads.

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