Dumb Girl

By: Heidi Yewman

Many thanks to Books Forward for the ARC of this book!

Heidi grew up in an abusive household – from physical abuse starting at the age of 5 when she’s punched in the face by her father, to sexual abuse at the hands of her brother, and emotional abuse/neglect from her alcoholic mother, she was always told, “don’t be a dumb girl.” This would traumatize anyone. Heidi also happened to go to Columbine, but not during the time of the shooting, many years before. But she did happen to know one of the victims. Columbine is the catalyst for her becoming a stay at home mom to gun activist.

She then fights for the safety of children. She organizes vigils, organizes protests, writes a book, films a documentary, and becomes a voice for those children that should have never died via gun violence.

Memoirs are not something that I read often, but this was captivating and heartbreaking in so many ways. I was heartbroken for Heidi and all of the years of abuse that she endured. I was and still am heartbroken for all of the children that have lost their life due to the senseless gun violence and those children that will lose their life that way. I shed tears reading this book. What I didn’t know was how much actually has gone on behind the scenes and how much people have been trying to fight to get things to change.

Yewman finds healing through advocacy and she really highlights how strong she really is – it’s awe inspiring. She’s a survivor, and also superwoman. There are times this book is difficult to read, but it is absolutely worth it.

Publish Date: August 19, 2025
Find the book here.
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