Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
First published October 22, 1999
224 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780374311254 (ISBN10: 0374311250)
Rating: 4.04
Overview
In Laurie Halse Anderson’s unforgettable novel Speak, Melinda starts high school with a lie: “Speak up for yourself—we want to know what you have to say.” But she knows better. After calling the cops on an end-of-summer party, she becomes an outcast, shunned by everyone at school.
As she withdraws more and more, only her art class offers a glimmer of hope. But when Melinda finally faces the truth of what happened at that party – that she was raped – she can’t bring herself to speak.
It’s only through her art that she begins to heal. But when her attacker threatens her again, Melinda knows she can’t stay silent.
In this powerful novel, Anderson gives voice to the millions of teens who feel invisible, powerless, and alone. Speak is a testament to the transformative power of truth and the importance of speaking up, no matter how hard it may be.
About the Author
Laurie Halse Anderson is a successful author with a broad range of readership, including young readers, teens, and adults. Her books have sold over 8 million copies, with her latest memoir-in-verse, SHOUT, receiving 9 starred reviews and appearing on the New York Times bestseller list for 7 weeks straight.
The book is a powerful account of her survival of sexual assault as a thirteen-year-old, with a call to action for the #MeToo era.
Anderson has been nominated four times for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists, with Chains also being shortlisted for the Carnegie medal. Two more of her books, Shout and The Impossible Knife of Memory, were long-listed for the National Book Award.
Anderson has been recognized for her efforts in intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English.
Beyond writing, Anderson is an advocate for diversity in publishing and serves on RAINN’s National Leadership Council. She resides in Philadelphia where she enjoys writing while munching on cheesesteaks.
You can learn more about Anderson by following her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at halseanderson or by visiting her website at madwomanintheforest.com.
Editoral Review
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a stirring young adult novel that delves deeply into the challenges and complexities of adolescence, exploring themes of trauma, identity, and self-expression. The book was first published on October 22, 1999, and since then it has earned widespread acclaim and a loyal following among readers both young and old.
Anderson is an accomplished author with a passion for writing about tough topics in accessible ways, making her books especially resonant with young readers. Speak is widely considered one of her finest works, and it’s easy to see why.
The novel is written in a simple yet powerful language that conveys the protagonist’s internal world with great depth and authenticity. The story revolves around a young girl named Melinda who is struggling to adjust to high school after experiencing a traumatic event over the summer.
Melinda is a complex character with a vivid inner life, and Anderson does an excellent job of capturing her thought processes, fears, and uncertainties. Throughout the course of the novel, readers watch as Melinda slowly but surely finds her voice and learns to speak up for herself, despite the many obstacles in her path.
Set against the backdrop of a typical American high school, Speak is an immersive reading experience that touches on many significant issues facing young people today. From cliques and bullying to academic pressures and family dysfunction, the novel paints a vivid picture of what it’s like to navigate adolescence in the 21st century.
One of the strongest aspects of Speak is its characterization. Anderson has a remarkable talent for creating realistic, three-dimensional characters that readers can relate to and root for.
Melinda is a particularly compelling protagonist, and her journey of self-discovery is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. The other characters in the book are also well-drawn, from Melinda’s frustratingly absent parents to her classmates, who run the gamut from sympathetic to downright cruel.
In terms of its style and structure, Speak is a masterclass in young adult fiction. Anderson’s prose is spare and unadorned, but it’s also evocative and deeply felt.
The novel’s pacing is measured and deliberate, allowing readers to absorb every nuance of Melinda’s journey. The use of flashbacks and internal monologues adds an extra layer of depth to the story, revealing Melinda’s past trauma and emotional state in a way that feels natural and unforced.
Of course, no novel is perfect, and Speak does have a few minor flaws. Some readers may find the book too raw and emotionally intense, while others might take issue with the ending, which some feel is too abrupt or inconclusive.
Others may find the novel’s themes to be too heavy-handed or didactic. But in the grand scheme of things, these are minor quibbles.
Speak is a powerful, moving book that deserves to be read and appreciated by a wide audience. It’s a testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is speak up and be heard.
Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended for: Young adults and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted, emotionally resonant story.
