This was a simple but to the point kind of graham novel that I found inspiring. I especially loved Paula’s interview/story.
My only two qualms are:
1: There are some grammatical errors that hopefully get fixed before publication.
2: It felt a bit rushed.

Thank you Netgalley and Timber Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Timber Press, and Denali Sai Nalamalapu for providing the free e-ARC. The thoughts and review expressed here are entirely my own.

The story follows six frontline resisters of the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Appalachia, spanning from 2014 to 2024. We are introduced to each individual and gain insight into their struggles against corporate interests, racism, and classism, all while fighting for their love of the land, mountains, waters, and community. The narrative highlights how the government often favors big money during the climate crisis and illustrates how grassroots resistance can inspire hope for future generations.

This book is a quick read that initiates a deeper exploration into the necessity of ongoing grassroots movements to hold our government accountable. The fight is long and filled with setbacks, but it endures.

The simple format of each interview contains so much pertinent information regarding the pipeline, our government and those in control. It also encourages grass roots efforts to affect change with regard to our lands and communities. A great read.

I see other people in their reviews going, "This is environmentalism 101! So basic!" Friends, do you know how many people I've spoken to in the last two months who have maintained willful ignorance about our impact on the planet? Or how many people see that the world is burning and go, "Too bad, we've already lost" after taking LITERALLY. NO. ACTION!?

So, yeah, this book is fairly simple in its execution, but I think it's a mistake to act as though we're past the point where we need direct stories like this one to mobilize and inform people. Too many of us are complacent, which is why things like this keep happening. I think many people who feel like they already know this story are Democrats, and yet, as Nalamalapu reminds us, Biden and other democratic leaders are not coming to save us.

The book itself has the feel of a zine, and focuses more on the people who have tried to stop the construction of the MVP than the project itself. It seems like the primary goal of the book is to suggest ways for people to get involved, and to show that resistance takes multiple forms. Yes to books with concrete examples of resistance. Please and thank you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. <3

I’m glad to have read this brief (< 1 hour read) graphic novel, as I feel like I know a lot more about something I wasn’t aware of previously. I think that’s probably the purpose of writing a collection like this, so Nalamalapu definitely achieved her goal of spreading awareness about MVP 👍 I think the only thing detracting from the book overall is the author’s little summaries at the end of each chapter; the activists’ words speak powerfully for themselves without addition.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest and fair review 💕

Holler offers a diverse cross-section of rural perspectives that come together to begin, endure and continue the resistance against the Mountain Valley Pipeline that spans approximately 300 miles from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia.

The timeline at the beginning of the book gives context for the proposal, key areas of the movement to oppose the construction, and the different forces that challenge the continued push for constructing the pipeline.

The subsequent chapters highlight different people who unite to illuminate the harmful impacts of such a pipeline. Featuring ordinary people with different skill sets and backgrounds is a delightful way to illustrate that movements are indeed composed of multiple ordinary human beings taking action over a common purpose. Although their stories differ, the style and color palette are consistent threads that weave throughout the book.

The last chapter breaks through the fourth wall and ask us, the readers, what we can do given our skills and situational contexts. This is a powerful way to wrap up the book, especially since the pipeline is still getting traction towards completion despite evidence of hazards due to the pipeline's existence.

Overall, this was an illuminating read that is the culmination of over a decade of collective action. If you are newly aware of this movement, this book is a great primer for you to be brought up to speed. If you are already aware of this movement, this book encapsulates the struggle in an accessible and concise manner. Definitely a recommended read!

As noted in the description, this book is an invitation for readers to take a peek into the world of environmental activism and learn from the experiences of those fighting the MVP in Appalachia. Not an in-depth exploration of the Mountain Valley Pipeline or environmental activism at large. The book is fast-paced and stays surface-level, but is a good start for those interested in the topic.

Denali Sai Nalamalapu’s Holler is exactly the book I needed right now—it’s raw, powerful, and unapologetically urgent. In a time when the current administration and the state of the world can feel overwhelming, this collection revitalized my spirit and reminded me why we have to keep fighting for justice, for each other, and for our planet. Nalamalapu’s words are both a rallying cry and a balm, blending fierce activism with tender hope, and their ability to balance despair with determination is nothing short of inspiring. This book is a reminder that art is resistance, that our voices matter, and that we’re not alone in this fight. If you need a spark to keep going, Holler will light that fire in you.

Denali Sai Nalamalapu's Holler is a graphic depiction of interviews she had with people connected to Appalachia who fought against the Mountain Valley Pipeline. In sharing the perspectives of 6 people from different backgrounds, she shows how individuals stood up against a giant and powerful force to try to protect their home and land. This is a timely story as we'll be seeing more of these types of fights over land and natural resources in the near future. 3.5/5 rounded up to 4/5 because while the language and content of Holler was fairly simple, this would be a good graphic novel for younger students and one that can bring about interesting conversations.

Many thanks to Timber Press and NetGalley for the e-arc!

I enjoyed this look at the different backgrounds and methods of several protestors of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Through their stories, you are shown a number of ways small acts of resistance can make a difference against seemingly insurmountable odds. Even if the end result is not what you desire, you don’t give up hope. You transfer it and find new ways to act, rebel and persist.

Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

A nice reflection on the importance of climate justice and being involved but could have stood to be longer. We don't really get a clear image on what the people highlighted actually did or the impact other than that they were involved and had personal reasons. It especially feels as if the people focused on at the end got much less story time to share their experiences than the people at the beginning of the book.

Holler was a short and sweet but very powerful look into the pipeline resistance movement in Appalachia. Its narrative teaches and reminds us that the movement is made stronger by the different experiences, skillsets, and motivations we bring to it. The art is lovely and the pacing was quick and very engaging. This is an incredibly special piece and I'm glad it exists.

I think the author does an excellent job of portraying concerns about the MVP. Full marks there. But a lot of people can tell you what's wrong; we need people who can better offer solutions. The reality is that we don't yet have cost-effective alternatives--especially in Appalachia where so are at subsistence living and certainly not at the point of paying for solar on their roofs. I grieve with the author, but ultimately it is just complaining. It's one of those uncomfortable truths that currently more fossil fuel is required in the area.

I think for the right audience, this will resonate really powerfully. In my mind, I was thinking especially of middle grade and young adult readers who are just learning of the depth and intersectionality of injustices, and how these stories can provide space for them to process those feelings. I loved how the art showcased the beauty of the nature we should protect, and I really appreciated the call to action at the end—that was powerful.

The reason I'm giving it 3 stars, however, is because I felt the stories themselves were a bit stilted at times and lacked depth, though I could just not be the target audience like I said earlier.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very informative and lyrical graphic novel that grapples with the reality of climate change, Holler follows the fight that a group of ordinary yet courageous people lead in order to protect their land from the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline that cuts through West Virginia, Southern Virginia, and North Carolina.

I enjoyed the message of hope that the story provides, as well as the little details that define the protagonists of the graphic novel and the movement against the MVP. It is an issue that I personally did not know about and Denali Sai Nalamalapu manages to recount it with a few simple yet powerful strokes.

I was not fully taken by the art style, especially in the representation of human figures, but this is purely a personal preference and I would still recommend this read to anyone interested in learning more about climate change activists and the MVP movement.

Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.

I enjoyed this book, although I would not classify this as a memoir. The book provides an excellent overview of the Mountain Valley Pipeline and the damage that building it through the Appalachian mountains has caused to both its people and its land. I liked the stories told from different points of views, even though they all have the same opinion when it comes to the pipeline and I appreciated the colorful drawings that clearly conveyed the message of the book.

Incredibly interesting story! I had never heard of this pipeline or controversy. Amazing activism and individuals. Very interesting and informative story. Nice format that it’s in as a graphic novel making the information easily digestible.

An excellent primer on environmental justice, focusing on the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Appalachia.

This was a really quick and informative graphic novel that taught me a lot about a topic that I was wholly unfamiliar with. The Mountain Valley Pipeline is a natural gas pipeline that runs through the Appalachia Mountains in West Virginia and Virginia. This book is about the people that call these mountains their home and their fight and resistance for the land they love. I really loved the power of community, finding your voice, and speaking out for what’s right.

Holler: A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance effectively introduces a younger audience to complex issues like racism and classism, highlighting their connections to the climate crisis. The text features simple language that is accessible for most readers. With that said, students will need some background knowledge about these issues in order to fully understand the text.

I would not refer to this text as a memoir. It's more like a serious of interrelated vignettes. The author does give a brief background about each person to help contextualize their experiences, but it is extremely brief. Overall, the story was bland, but again, I think it's intentionally simplistic in an effort to appeal to younger audiences.

I would be interested in purchasing this text for my classroom library. Many of my students prefer graphic novels and this is a good nonfiction option.