Speak 
asked by allnet on November 14, 2006 1:49 PM
Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it's because her parents' only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep down she knows the real reason why she's been struck mute...
Laurie Halse Anderson's first novel is a stunning and sympathetic tribute to the teenage outcast. The triumphant ending, in which Melinda finds her voice, is cause for cheering (while many readers might also shed a tear or two). After reading Speak, it will be hard for any teen to look at the class scapegoat again without a measure of compassion and understanding for that person--who may be screaming beneath the silence. (Ages 13 and older) --Jennifer Hubert
Reviews
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Laurie Halse Anderson is one of the few teen authors who can actually capture the angst and turmoil of teen life so perfectly. Every scene is so authentic, every character is way familiar, and every emotion is one that we can all relate to. Even if you're one of the seven people in existence who were never traumatized in high school, you'll still be able to feel the pain. In a good way.
I love how even the subtle emotions in SPEAK are captured with such amazing accuracy. Like that whole thing about having this frenzy of panic when you hear your mom's car in the driveway and you're inside doing something you're not supposed to be doing? And you have to hurry up and hide the evidence? Yeah. We've all been there.
This book is for anyone who has ever felt too scared to tell their whole story. After reading it, you'll definitely feel inspired to speak up.
I love how even the subtle emotions in SPEAK are captured with such amazing accuracy. Like that whole thing about having this frenzy of panic when you hear your mom's car in the driveway and you're inside doing something you're not supposed to be doing? And you have to hurry up and hide the evidence? Yeah. We've all been there.
This book is for anyone who has ever felt too scared to tell their whole story. After reading it, you'll definitely feel inspired to speak up.
reviewed by vicky123 on November 22, 2006 3:18 AM
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This is one of my favorite books. It is GREAT for teen readers because readers will really get to know the charecters, and Laurie Halse Anderson did an AMAZING job of writing this book. If you are a teen looking for a book, or a parent looking for a book for there teen, this is the right one. It is dramatic, beautifly written, and has an exiting plot.
I LOVE this book, and as a critic, I think this book is... is... THE GREATEST BOOK EVER! As a teen, I can relate to it, and it really makes me think. It also taught me a lesson--- You cant trust everyone. I would recoment this book to anybody 12+. Again, I LOVE THIS BOOK!
I LOVE this book, and as a critic, I think this book is... is... THE GREATEST BOOK EVER! As a teen, I can relate to it, and it really makes me think. It also taught me a lesson--- You cant trust everyone. I would recoment this book to anybody 12+. Again, I LOVE THIS BOOK!
reviewed by 90210 on November 28, 2006 8:01 PM