Louder Than Hunger

I have been completely sucked in by the upcoming middle-grade novel-in-verse “𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿” written by John Schu. It is a brutally honest, unreserved, and heartfelt story of Jake, who struggles with anorexia and must spend time in a residential treatment facility. It is a story of silencing the critic within and of love and acceptance.

I started reading the ARC without checking any reviews or blurbs. As I read, I wondered where Mr Schu drew his inspiration from. The uncanny resemblance of Jake’s desire of watching Broadway shows and Mr Schu’s many Instagram posts on shows bowled me over! And then came his profoundly sincere and sentimental afternote. The revelation that the story is a fictionalized recount of his struggles caught me entirely off-guard. When a writer draws from one’s own experiences, the authenticity and the vulnerability become unparalleled.

Readers, this book, coming out in March 2024, will save many a life! I can’t wait to lay my hands on a hard copy of this marvelous creation! Highly recommended for Grade 5 and above.