Speak

Reader reviewed by Lisa

I LOVED this book. The book was written in a very interesting way which I think kids would really respond to because of the short sections. Also the humor Melinda has would be interesting young adults also. The topic of rape can be a touchy subject but this story makes it so believable and even if a young adult wasnt raped I can see them connecting with Melinda. A lot of kids are quiet and this book can relate to kids on so many different levels. I would recommend this book to any one of any age (probably 6th grade and up). I was also fortunate enough to see the movie and it was just as good as the book, with a few cuts of course which any ready would be annoyed about.

Reader reviewed by teena

i read this book in my freshman yr of high school and i loved it. a lot of other kids were bored with it and didn't like it. i felt it was a great book with even greater characters. her friends don't like her anymore. books like speak show what real high school is about, not all that good stuff you see on tv. i think everyone should go out and get their copy today.

Reader reviewed by nhunggnguyenn

its a short read but it is awesome. the book is quite inspiring. i could imagine this happening to anyone, thats why i liked it, its pretty realistic. i also watched the movie with kristen stewart and it was not anywhere as good as the book, but its cool to be able to compare them.

Reader reviewed by SweetPea

Speak is a very captivating book. Laurie Halse Anderson is a great writer. THe book is about high school cliques and Melinda's struggle to be accepted from her peers. Melinda's sanctuary at school is the art room. Melinda gets raped at a party and she tries to say no but she had beer to drink and cant really get the words out. She calls 911 and a kid takes the phone from her and screams that the cops are coming. It is a must read for everyone! You won't be able to put it down.

Reader reviewed by tf3196

i love thiis book. about a girl who has been raped and has to cope with the awfull secret although she doesn't tell anyone. her own concience eats away at her tearing her apart so that it gets to that she can't even speak or tell anyone about anything

i believe this is a must read book for all teen above 14. awsome. it reslly keeps you on ur egde

Reader reviewed by Sammi

this book ws incredibly sad and showed the journey through freshman year of a girl with heartache and drama. THE beginning was a little slow but if you stick withit you will find it to be an excellent book

i was really excitedat the end when melinda get her "revenge" and get somewhat back to her normal self. this book can eally reach out to any young women who wne t throught what melinda did, and make it clear that you dont have to hold somethingtlike that inside and there is more that one person who is willing to get you throught it.

Reader reviewed by tay3196

i really liked this book. it's always kept you on the edge of ur seat. it's about this girl who was abused at a party. The boy keeps coming back to her and bugging her. The book is very good and descriptive. it really focuses on the character and her main problem. The character has a really hard time. this book keeps you on the edge and i really liked it.

Reader reviewed by Emma L

This is my favorite book of all time:) In the beginning I found it funny, but when you got into the middle of the book, I found out it wasn't something to joke about. I think every girl should read this book. It's inspirational, funny at times, sad, impowering, and moved me to tears! Definetely take some time to read this AMAZING book.

Reader reviewed by Megan

What would you do if you were raped? Melinda Sordino copes with this by not speaking. It isn't that hard, seeing as none of her friends or schoolmates will talk to her because she called the cops on the party where she was raped. Eventually, she gets the guts to speak up about what happened to save a friend from the same fate. An awesome book, I would recommend this one to anyone.

Reader reviewed by Kate

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson may be my favorite book of all time. I came across it at a pivotal point in my life, and Anderson's sarcasm and dry look at the world was just what I needed to help guide me through.

The basic premise is about a freshman girl in high school who gets raped at a party over the summer, and calls the cops. The entire grade shuns her, and she refuses to talk. Her grades drop, she loses interest in school and her family life grows even more distant. She is depressed, though she's not sure how to tell anyone, or if they will listen to her story.

Though the bare bones of this book may sound like a familiar plot, it can be assured that everyone, no matter their high school experience, will find something to identify with. The accurate, almost chillingly perfect descriptions and observations of teachers, people, and the drama that is high school-- it all makes you feel like you are reading pages out of your own life and experiences. At times, it was difficult to read for me because of the eerie similarity between Melinda and myself.

This book brought me many laughs, and a great deal of hope. To know that I am not alone with a lot of my emotions really put my mind at ease. This story can help anyone, no matter the situation, pull through a difficult ordeal. It is a book that stays with you, and leaves you thinking long after you've finished. The sympathy I have for Melinda is almost crazy-- she's not even real! When an author creates an atmosphere and a story so to-the-point, it's no wonder Speak continues to haunt and amaze me.