Rachael Denhollander’s ‘Worth’
Abuse survivor shares her story. Books,
Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly say that Larry Nassar sexually abused her, will publish a memoir and children’s book this year, according to The Lansing State Journal, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.
The titles – “What Is a Girl Worth?” and “How Much Is a Little Girl Worth?” – reference the question she asked in her victim-impact statements during Nassar’s sentencing in Ingham and Eaton counties in Michigan.
The books will be published in September by Tyndale House Publishers, and their release will be followed by a national media tour, according to a news release.
In the memoir, Denhollander will reveal the crushing effect the abuse has had on her life; trace her journey in harnessing the courage to speak out against such abuse – for herself and on behalf of abuse victims everywhere; and illuminate the path to a better way forward.
The children’s book, “How Much Is a Little Girl Worth?”, will be Denhollander’s “anthem to little girls everywhere,” according to the news release, to teach them that they have value and to help them develop confidence.
The hardcover of the memoir will cost $26.99 and the the hardcover of the children’s book will cost $14.99, according to the news release.
In 2016, Denhollander reached out to the Indianapolis Star after the newspaper published an investigation of USA Gymnastics’ handling of sexual assault complaints.
For more than a year, Denhollander was the public face and voice of those Nassar abused. Many of the more than 200 women and girls who give victimimpact statements during Nassar’s sentencings thanked her by name for giving them the courage and confidence to come forward.
Denhollander testified against Nassar during one of his Ingham County preliminary hearing and is one of the nine women and girls that Nassar, a former Michigan State University and USAG doctor, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting.
Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison on three child pornography convictions and decades more in prison on state sexual assault convictions.
The fallout from the Nassar scandal has led to criminal investigations of MSU, congressional hearings focused on sexual abuse in youth sports and resignations at MSU and USAG.