Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unforgettable story of a boy recovering from anorexia.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The voice that Jake hears in LOUDER THAN HUNGER has been with him since the middle of seventh grade. It tells him he doesn't deserve love or kindness, that he doesn't exercise enough, or that he should skip lunch. Bullied at school, Jake discovers that he can be the best at something -- not eating. But when a concerned adult alerts his mom, his parents send him (much against his will) to Whispering Pines, a treatment center with an eating disorders program. Jake initially resists treatment, and gets worse. He's diagnosed with not just anorexia, but depression and OCD. Slowly, day by day, Jake does get better. He meets Kella, who shares his love of music and becomes a much longed for friend. He makes a list of goals (get a driver's license, work in a theater, travel) and learns to actually love art therapy. Day 314 is his last day at Whispering Pines. There's a six-months-later update on how Jake is doing and he imagines what his life could be like in the future.
Is It Any Good?
A story that's both heartbreaking and inspiring, this verse novel unfolds in short bursts of text and explosive single words that stream down and across the pages. Louder Than Hunger is extremely sensitive to anything that might trigger readers with eating disorders, never including details about how much Jake weighs, how long he exercises, or other descriptions of disordered behaviors. That author John Schu's own experiences inspired this story lend it an authenticity and weight that readers will connect with deeply. This is a book that can open discussions between parents and kids not only about body image, eating disorders and mental illness, but the emotional trauma caused by bullying, and the power of seemingly small acts of kindness.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they learned from Louder Than Hunger about the perseverance and determination it takes to be in recovery and treatment for a mental illness.
What did Kella's friendship with Jake show you about the power of kindness and empathy?
Have you or any of your friends ever been bullied? Why do you think it's so difficult for students to report instances of bullying?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Candlewick Press
- Publication date : March 19, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 528
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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