Speak

Reader reviewed by beth

This is my favorite book of all time! Anderson talks about a sensitive subject without being graphic-something that is hard to find. It is the story of a freshman girl who is ready to take on high school, but then is forced into the reality that everyone isn't what they seem. Lots of girls will be able to relate and those who don't need to be aware of what can happen to anyone. A very touching, incredible book. This author's best!

Reader reviewed by Ellie, 15

This book really makes you feel. It's about an American girl who no-one will talk to because of something she did. She's very lonely, all her old friends hate her. As the book progresses, she begins to feel slightly better, and you find out what she did to make everyone hate her.
I really think every teenager should read this book, it will make you think twice about people.

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.

Reader reviewed by Tia

During and end of the summer party, two things happen to Melinda Sordino-she gets drunks and raped by a senior. I like this book not only because it talked about speaking up when something has happened to you, but the importance of speaking up entirely. Melinda has sarcastic wit and honesty that towards the end you miss her and glad she's okay. The names she gives her teachers are funny and I especially liked her art teacher Mr. Freeman- I guess you could say he is the main person that helps her find her voice and at the end of the book she shares what she's been through "Let me tell you about it." Mrs. Anderson did an excellent job on this book and I am excited to hear that the movie version will be released soon.

Reader reviewed by Morgan Cap.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a novel about Melinda Sordino, a freshman student. She is seemingly normal on the outside, but hides a dark secret that she cannot tell anyone. If I told you what exactly happened to her, it would ruin the twist ending. Her situation is relatable to lots of teens, so that's one of the reasons that I loved this book. I could empathize with Melinda's feelings at many points, which made it a fast paced read that I finished in about two days because I just couldn't put it down. From the moment she begins high school, she's strange, an outcast. The art room is the only place where she feels safe and she pours her feelings out into her artwork. Melinda is such a complicated character- it seems for me that whenever I thought I had her figured out, something would happen in the book and I would have to rethink everything again. Laurie Halse Anderson's complex storytelling style and abrupt, short chapters lend a feeling of a narrator who doesn't quite have all her priorities straight in life, and it suits Melinda's character perfectly. One of my favorite parts was when rebellious Melinda decides to cut Spanish class, and literally, the chapter is 'I didn't go to Spanish today, so conjugate this: I cut class, you cut class, he, she, it cuts class, we cut class, they cut class, you all cut class.' Speak is wry, complex, thought provoking and just plain awesome. Read it, you'll be glad you did.

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 Marina

This was the best book i've ever read in my entire life! The things that the young girl went through was just horrible. And the things the kids did to her was just very mean. The movie itself related to book 100%. I just can't believe what she went through. So many girls out there relate to that character. It was just a wonderful book overall. I love it. And it will forever be in my heart.

Reader reviewed by jmj

·         Summarize the book and relate the author's main point, or thesis. (Somewhere early in the paper, identifies the author briefly.) [The authors point in the book was to show a story of a young girl who was raped. The author was trying to give the message that rape is bad and should not happen to anyone. He shows the story of how it can ruin someones life in one second.]

·         Describe the author's viewpoint and purpose for writing; note any aspects of the author's background that are important for understanding the book. [He wanted people to see how it could happen even when youre in high school. Also wanted people to see the emotional and physical burden that it brings up on them and that they never forget what happens. This was also done so that people know you can move on after something like this and that there is still hope out there.]

·         Note the most important evidence the author presents to support his or her thesis.  [She went to a party and was invited in the woods by a jock and he raped her. She tried calling 911 but all she did was get a party busted and more people to hate her. She becomes very depressed and stands offish and everyone can tell. She began to do things she never did, skipping school&etc. Then he tries to rape her again but she screams and someone sees and finally has a little bit of proof that he has done something.

·         Evaluate the author's use of evidence, and describe how he or she deals with counter evidence. (See pp. 18-19 for a discussion of counter evidence.) [He didnt use much evidence in the book besides the girl getting raped and Melinda screaming and her friend coming. Other than that she has no proof that he raped her or anything because she was scared to call and report it. Luckily he got what he deserved.]

·         Is the book's argument convincing? If so why, if not, why not. Cite examples from the text. [Because of how they were in the janitors closet and she was screaming no and held up the glass to his throat. To me that shows me that there was real emotion going on in the story. Also its convincing because most people dont tell anyone because they are scared of what will happen or what wont happen.]

·         Compare this book with other books or articles you have read on the same subject. [I havent read any other books about this subject other than this one. I would like to say that this book seems real and is relatable in many ways to people in these kinds of situations. Not many books grasp the concept of what really is going on, make the situation not as a big of a deal]

·         Conclude with a final evaluation of the book. You might discuss who would find this book useful and why. [I love this book and the story that it gives because it could help people out. There are many people who can benefit from this book and the first people are rape victims. Maybe they will see this has an opportunity to tell the truth and be free from the secret.]

Reader reviewed by Brandi

Speak is one of the darkest and humorest books i ever read that contians both opsite coming togethor as one. I dont suggest you read this book if your touched badly by the main subject. but i do believe it's a good book, a bt confusing at first about what she's feeling, doing, acting but it clears out for you if you read more

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.