Rachael Denhollander’s voice was heard around the world when she spoke out to end the most shocking US gymnastics scandal in history. The first victim to publicly accuse Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who sexually abused hundreds of young athletes, Rachael now reveals her full story.
... rigorous and righteous ... Much more than a personal story of trauma and triumph, Denhollander’s book is an exposé of the institutional suppression of women’s stories and the devaluing of their lives—far beyond the world of gymnastics ... Abuse victims are often asked, directly or obliquely, how they could have let it happen...What Is a Girl Worth? is effectively a book-length narrative dismantling of these toxic premises ... the book captures the dirty diapers, long drives, work wedged into early mornings and late nights, a CNN interview in a bathroom with a towel draped over the toilet tank. Coming forward as a victim isn’t glamorous, Denhollander reminds the reader over and over ... This is not a book about bad guys and good guys. It is a book about systems—and Denhollander has bigger systems in her sights than Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, although her advocacy has fundamentally changed both.
... a mature, resolute Christian memoir that lends vital perspective to abuse and institutional cover-ups ... The long term consequences of Nassar’s betrayal are drawn in a clear-eyed way. Denhollander’s pain balances with a tender portrait of her husband and family. Her intelligent reflections reveal a woman of faith who chose to sacrifice her privacy and to seek justice with love and determination that no child face the same pain. Separating her own future happiness and healing from the outcome of the trial, she presents peace as possible. Hers is a compelling viewpoint that isn’t imposed as a solution for all survivors ... Treating a sensitive topic with unflinching truth, respect, and fair-mindedness, What Is a Girl Worth? fuses biblical notions with legal insights, personal journal entries, and heartbreaking data to make a lucid argument regarding the power of a single voice to inspire a chorus.
... straightforward and deeply honest about the betrayal [Denhollander] endured yet hopeful for growing awareness and healing. Drawing on her law background and faith-based strength, the former gymnast advocates for positive action against abuse, with her own experiences as the inspirational framework ... Essential for sports fans and all readers concerned with the ongoing, widespread challenges of abuse and accountability. Denhollander’s story of empowerment deserves wide readership.
