A nice middle grade choice, if a little heavy on the lessons. The writing was clear and nicely level, the bullying scenes were particularly well done, and Charlotte felt well rounded and relatable. I did wish Maddie had a bit more depth so their friendship came off a bit more fully realized and emotionally impactful, and perhaps even would have appreciated a dual narrative between her and Charlotte - I think there was enough substance to her story to warrant it, and I often wished I could have seen her perspective - but it didn't make or break things.

This book was highly enjoyable. I can see it appealing to a lot of middle schoolers. Although Charlotte wasn't the most likable main character, I really appreciated seeing the depiction of a child going to speech therapy. I went to speech therapy all through middle school, and it was definitely frustrating to be pulled out of a class I actually liked! The message of this book was spot on, but it sometimes became overbearing. Even though Charlotte kept making mistakes, the ending made her seem holier-than-thou. She was just as a flawed as Aubrey. Overall, I think this is a fantastic book for the younger crowd and sure to appeal to many. #netgalley

What a great book about so many things- stuttering, bullying, friendship, telling your story, and making the world a better place. Charlotte stutters and is bullied for it, and on top of that her mom is forcing her to take theater. As the bullying situation gets worse, something happens which changes her friendship with her best friend. She knows she needs to do something, so Charlotte begins leaving anonymous kind notes around school which later catches on, Charlotte finds she enjoys the theater group, and when they hear it will be stoped after this year, she and the theater group decide to do something. Will it make a difference? Will Charlotte and her best friend become friends again? Charlotte finds if you don’t speak up, no one will hear your voice.

This is similar to lots of middle grade I've read, but what is different about this one is that the main character has a stutter and the author does as well. This put a new spin on the finding your voice theme.

A well-developed story of a taciturn girl who most find her voice to set things right. A plot many kids can relate to, and can help them see how to gain courage and confidence in their own situations.

The story follows Charlotte our main character who is about to enter middle school and is scared because she doesn't know what to expect. Charlotte has a speech problem; she often stutters and has one main friend Maggie. A problem occurs with Charlotte and Maggie and they stop being friends and Charlotte starts to write notes because she's more confident writing and getting her thoughts on paper than she is speaking.

I can see students relating to the story. I really enjoyed that the English teacher wants her students to write and encourages them to write and draw and just get their thoughts on paper.

Tw: Bullying

I have been drawn to books about using your voice to tackle hard issues (Amina's Voice, Count Me In). This book fits right in. More books about kids who have vocal struggles like stuttering need to be written. Books where kids are shown fighting for what is right need to be at the forefront. I am so thankful that I found this book.
#SayItOutLoud was given to me by #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable Read. The stuttering connection with our current President is an unexpected touch but a nice one. Charlotte's reaction to bullying is a gentle one and a nice touch if a bit unrealistic.

This book definitely focuses on finding your voice, facing your fears, and standing up for what's right. I love books that teach a great message without forcing it.

What an amazing book about finding your voice!! A story that I feel is needed now more than ever. I work with a lot of sixth graders and I can’t wait to put this uplifting and powerful middle grade novel in their hands!!!!

Sixth graders Maddie and Charlotte are the stars of this theme and character driven middle grade gem. As best friends, Maddie is totally accepts Charlotte's stutter, and is not one to stand by when one of their fellow sixth graders is bullied on the bus. More than anything, Charlotte does not want to call attention to her stuttering, and leaves Maddie to report the bullies and champion the bullied. Meanwhile, Charlotte's mom insists that Charlotte take theater, because she doesn't stutter when she sings, and this year it's Maddie's favorite musical, the Wizard of Oz. Mom was right. Theater taught Charlotte to hit your mark, look them in the eye, tell the truth, and get out of your own way. The majority of the action takes place on the bus, or with the theater gang, but being middle school, there is the angst of the lunch room. Thank you Random House Books For Young People and Netgalley for this arc.

How fortunate the children today can read books like this that contain real life dialogue and a protagonist
who deals with whatever is thrown at her. I wish books like this were around when I was growing up.
I will recommend this book to my children's literature classes.

This was a well written, engaging book. I enjoyed the authors voice. This would be an asset to any library collection.

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.

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.

Say It Out Loud by Allison Varnes is one of the best books that I have ever read. Charlotte begins middle school and is afraid to speak out loud because she stutters. When her best friend, Maddie is bullied on the school bus, she is afraid to speak out for fear of being bullied too which creates a rift between them. In addition, Charlotte’s parents sign her up for musical theater because she has a beautiful voice. As Charlotte witnesses the bullying and seeing other students feel inferior or sad, she begins to write anonymous notes. She places the letters in random places such as lockers, backpacks and desks. When the school board decides to remove musical theater from the curriculum, Charlotte leads a letter campaign to protest.

Allison Varnes story tackles the fears and troubles that middle school students face so often beautifully. Many middle scholars can identify with the characters in the story. Readers who loved Wonder and Mustaches For Maddie would enjoy this book!

This book represented the importance of telling your truth and speaking out in order to take a stand and make a difference.

Maggie and Charlotte were best friends since third grade but a bullying incident tore them apart. Maggie spoke up while Charlotte wanted to remain under the radar of the bullies. She did not want the bullies to target her stuttering. So in her effort to save herself from the bullies, Charlotte left Maddie on her own to be tormented and bullied on a daily basis until Maggie reached her breaking point in an emotional video that went viral. Even though Charlotte knew her actions were wrong, she struggled with how to correct them…until she found her voice.

This was a great way to show children how they can make a difference by taking positive actions. Within this storyline, Charlotte was not only trying to be brave enough to help her best friend, but also tried to save her school’s musical theatre class from being discontinued. When she didn’t have enough confidence in her own speaking voice, she used her written words to convey her messages. People started to take notice, and changes occurred.

This book would be a wonderful asset to use with children in the classroom or at home. It resonates with many of the movements that recently took place throughout the world. It teaches a lesson that children and adults alike can follow- take a stand and do the right thing. Instead of being bystanders-passive observers-they can let their voices be heard by becoming active participants and make a difference in the lives of so many others.

An ARC was given for an honest review.

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!

This is an inspiring and compelling middle grade story about Charlotte, a 6th grader who doesn't speak up when her best friend is bullied because she stutters and is terrified of being picked on too. While grappling with her immense guilt Charlotte starts leaving encouraging notes in people's lockers, library books, and other random places at school. She also gains confidence by being in her musical theater class and performing in The Wizard of Oz. The characters and situations felt very authentic and a lot of middle graders will connect with Charlotte.

I love the idea of this book! Leaving inspiring notes around is so great! I felt the story lacked a little in delivering, but it was still a good, quick read.