Fourteen-year-old Luciana is deeply involved in her community and actively participates in neighborhood initiatives alongside her family and friends. When news spreads that a student at her school has suffered sexual abuse at home, a troubling question emerges: how many other children and adolescents might be facing the same situation in silence? Determined to act, Luciana joins residents, educators, and local organizations in a collective effort to raise awareness and build a safer environment for young people.

Written by Januária Cristina Alves, a journalist, educator, and two-time Jabuti Prize winner, A Neighborhood Against Silence: In Defense of Life transforms a sensitive and often difficult subject into an engaging story about community action, solidarity, and youth empowerment. Inspired by the Defenda-se (“Protect Yourself”) campaign, developed by the Centro Marista de Defesa da Infância, the novel encourages readers to recognize their rights, seek support when needed, and understand the importance of trusted networks of protection.

The illustrations by Estúdio Rebimboca help create an accessible and welcoming reading experience, balancing the seriousness of the topic with a strong sense of hope and collective responsibility. As Luciana and her neighbors organize a prevention campaign involving the school, families, and local authorities, the story highlights the power of informed communities to break cycles of silence and protect children and adolescents. Through a compelling narrative and a socially relevant theme, A Neighborhood Against Silence: In Defense of Life demonstrates how awareness, dialogue, and action can help transform lives.