Dumb Girl

<b>For fans of Jeannette Walls Jodi Picoult and Alice Sebold a heartening memoir about a girl who survives abuse and molestation to become a powerful advocate against gun violence in America.</b> <p/>The inspiring memoir of a woman who overcomes the physical emotional and sexual abuse of her early life to blossom into a gun violence prevention activist. <p/>Growing up in a toxic male-centered household where she's repeatedly told Don't be a dumb girl Heidi's abused by her dad--starting with a punch in the face at five years old--and left to fend for herself by her alcoholic mom who neglects to protect her from either her violent father or her brother who molests her. For years Heidi's traumatized and without a voice. <p/>Then comes Columbine. Thirteen years after Heidi graduates from Columbine High this horrific school shooting rocks the nation--and gives her a sudden sense of purpose. Despite her childhood wounds or perhaps even because of them she becomes determined to stop gun violence. Gradually she finds her voice: organizing vigils and protests joining the Brady Campaign Board to battle the NRA and eventually writing a book and directing a documentary about the after-effects of gun violence. In doing so she finds her inner strength and resolve and overcomes her fear of conflict--and learns that when you frame it the right way even being dumb can be a superpower.