Speak

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Freshman year at Merryweather High is not going well for Melinda Sordino. She busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, and now her friends—and even strangers—all hate her. So she stops trying, stops talking. She retreats into her head, and all the lies and hypocrisies of high school become magnified, leaving her with no desire to talk to anyone anyway. But it’s not so comfortable in her head, either—there’s something banging around in there that she doesn’t want to think about. She can’t just go on like this forever. Eventually, she’s going to have to confront the thing she’s avoiding, the thing that happened at the party, the thing that nobody but her knows. She’s going to have to speak the truth.

Our Top Reviews

Reviewer: The Graffs
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Let Me Tell You About It
Review: I first read this book back when I was actually Melinda’s age — fourteen. Now, considering the nature of this story (rape), some might think that’s a wee bit inappropriate. But I don’t. Now did I really grasp what was going on in the book? Probably not. I was a pretty dense tween, but I did feel for Melinda even back then. I was a really shy kid and rarely spoke up in class (though, not for Mellie’s reasons at all) so I really connect with her.You don’t find out exactly what happens until over halfway into the book, but you can tell something went really wrong somewhere along the way. Why’d she call the cops to a party? Why do all her friends hate her? Why won’t she say?To have something so horrific happen at such a crucial part in your life…. Think about it. You’re thirteen, you’re at a party, IT attacks you. You’re hurt, drunk, confused, and so young — how would you react? Honestly, I don’t even want to think about it.And that’s why I’m grateful for Speak. It makes you. It shows you what goes on in someone’s head when IT happens.This is something I hear about the book a lot: Melinda not talking is frustrating. I suppose whether or not you enjoy the book depends on if you are frustrated for the right reasons or the wrong ones. It frustrated me because I cared about her. Because her silence was hurting her so much — both emotionally and physically. Her lips … that part of the book has always stuck with me. Her cracked, bloody, slightly gross lips. They’re a wonderful way to represent how her silence is hurting her.If you don’t understand why she can’t speak up — how hard that is for someone who has been through what she has — or care about Melinda, then the silence will probably kill you. I guess I shouldn’t call this the wrong reason. It’s an opinion and all have a right to their opinions. But it’s hard for me to understand how someone can think like this. Really. She was thirteen. It was that crazy summer between junior high and high school.That exciting, huge point if life when you think you’re done being a kid. When you’re going to go to a new school — weren’t you nervous/excited/sososcared/sosohopeful/sosoeverything about that? Will you make new friends? Will you be friends with your old ones? Will you be popular? A loser? A social leaper? Will you get a boyfriend? Will you get your heart broken? Wtf will happen!?Add to that what Melinda had to go through — with being blamed and hated and pushed down at your lowest point.My favorite part of this edition is the poem Laurie added. It was assembled from emails she got from people who read the book. It’s so powerful — to hear how much victims teens really relate to Melinda and her journey. Teens that have gone through the same thing or so much worse. Even adults.There is so much meaning behind everything in this book. It’s so brilliant that way. When you start to read it, you can tell the style is different than the norm and it’ll be a literary book. But it’s not one of those unreadable literary books. A normal person could easily enjoy it. This book is very entertaining.Since Mellie doesn’t talk, the entire book is pretty internal. What nightmares are going on in her head, what she’s feeling, what she refuses to think/feel about.Melinda’s character arch is completed. Everything is so satisfying in the end. Laurie’s endings are very similar to Courtney Summer’s. When the book is done, it’s done. It’s such a powerful ending.The final line is beyond perfect.Another perk of the special editionLaurie talks about writing a sequel to Speak. Maybe she could call it Spoke. She says she’s open to the option, she’s just waiting for Melinda to speak to her again. You get glimpses at Melinda in her other books, but … even though a lot of things are left up in the air I like the way it ended. I don’t want to mess with it. Melinda lives happily ever after in my head. Very happy.

Reviewer: Rachel Berry
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Review: Laurie Halse Anderson is the author of numerous books for children and teens. Her highly spoken about novels include Speak, which was a National Book Award finalist, Printz Honor Book, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Her novel Fever 1793 was named one of New York Public Library’s 100 Best Books of 2000, was selected as an ABA Pick of the lists title, and has won more than a dozen state awards. Her novel, Twisted, was a New York Times bestseller. She currently resides in Pennsylvania where she enjoys living with her two children, Stephanie and Meredith, and her husband, Scot.The book Speak starts out with the main character Melinda Sordino moving to Syracuse, New York. The book is instantly suspenseful because Melinda moves to a new high school with a big secret; she was raped. Because of her secret the book stays suspenseful, you want to continue to read it to see how a mentally disturbed girl internally deals with problems. Since Melinda’s secret does make her mentally disturbed her outlook on life is very negative throughout the book while she deals with her struggles. Even Though the book is negative, it ends on a positive note when she is able to speak.Melinda Sordino is the main character in the book “Speak”. At the end of the summer there was party she attended entering as a freshman. She was raped by a senior named Andy Evans and she called the cops to report the rape. When she called, she didn’t respond right away and they said they were sending help on the way to her location. Melinda did not mean to report the party, but to report the rape. The cops showed up and the big party is busted, which the rest of the school believes that she did this on purpose. Melinda endures deep depression throughout the story because of this.Rachel Bruin was Melindas best friend up until the party was busted. Rachel believes that Melinda just wanted to bust the party just like the rest of the group there. Rachel doesn’t have many lines in the book, however she is important because Melinda wishes she could tell Rachel what happened to her. Rachel also attends prom with Andy.Heather just moved into town from Ohio. She just wants to belong to this school, so she tries to join a different club everyday. Melinda is one of the first people Heather gets to talk to because they have an awkward first meeting. Melinda sort of uses Heather because she has no one else in the school that cares or talks to her. There is a distinct distance between the other girls and is obvious in the fact that Melinda does not confide in her.Mr. Freeman teaches art, which becomes Melinda’s safe haven. Mr. Freeman tries to convey what he sees in her art work and tries to connect with her in that way. He sees that Melinda is hurting and encourages her along the way. My overall impression of the book was, it was really good read. When I first saw the book I thought it would be good and it did live up to my expectations. It was sad but informative, and really opened my eyes to the bullying and suicide aspect of what people can actually go through. It also shows what can really happen at a party, and how rape is a big deal and shouldn’t be taken lightly at all. My favorite part of the story had to be the ending. Melinda starts to recover from her trauma, and she starts to talk about it. Even though Rachel doesn’t believe Melinda, she feels free after speaking up about what happened and how much it impacted her. It was a big step for Melinda, talking about what happened. I would definitely read this book again because it was a good read and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was never bored, and it talked a lot about what people go through now. By going to parties and seeing what can happen first hand myself this really opened my eyes to what happens to the girls who actually do get raped.

Reviewer: Lisa
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Interesting point of view from main character
Review: Overall this was an interesting read from a viewpoint of the main character. It did take me a bit to get into some sections but overall enjoyed reading this book. No, I haven’t seen the movie yet but may look into viewing it in the near future!

Reviewer: Nafeesah Tynetta
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: 10th grade English assessment
Review: Daughter had to read it for English class and she said she really liked it. Heavy subject matter but told so well.

Reviewer: F. Lockwood
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Just…wow.I started reading this a few hours ago, and didn’t stop until the last page was turned.Normally, I read in one sitting because the story is gripping, or I just needed to know what was going to happen next. Although both points were true of this book, the reason I read “Speak” in one go was because I just did not want to leave Melinda.She broke my heart. She made me want to reach through the pages and envelop her into a huge hug and tell her that I was there for her, that I was listening.Melinda is a character who I can relate to on so many levels, evoking emotions within me that I thought I’d buried away long ago.We’ve all been through high school. I’m sure most would agree that for the majority, its a traumatic experience: uncomfortable, lonely and incredibly painful.What Melinda has gone through is something most of us haven’t. But the feelings she struggles with, the isolation she feels at school is something I feel is more familiar to the readers.I know for one that I hated high school. There were often days where I woke up and simply could not face it. There were many more where I’d try and disappear into the walls, desperate to escape.I had friends, I was not bullied. But I was sure as hell miserable.That’s why Melinda’s story is so resonant. It strikes a chord deep within you. Her voice will captivate you, the beautiful stream of conciousness working so brilliantly for the story. Melinda is an broken character. The events that have led her to becoming the isolated freak of the school so damaging that she nears complete breakdown, but she is also incredibly, overwhelmingly brave.What Anderson has done in “Speak” is tackle issues that are far too often shied away from, and forced us to confront them. It could so easily have gone wrong; so easily have undermined the trauma Melinda has gone through, but instead she has managaed to create a piece of writing that not only makes your heart ache, but makes you want to stand up, to speak out.A few years ago I read Thirteen Reasons Why, something which deals with similar issues to “Speak”. It is a fantastic, breathtaking novel, and I thoroughly reccomend it. But dont go thinking they are the same, because they each have different stories to tell.I am a firm believer in that books should be written for a reason. Far too often in young adult, books are written for the sake of it, for the trends, rather than having a purpose, a message we need to hear. “Speak” is a vital message we need to hear. Its a book that everyone needs to read

Reviewer: tere
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Ningún problema , todo genial

Reviewer: Amazonカスタマー
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: 明るい内容ではありませんが、どんどん引き込まれていきました。

Reviewer: Smith Kumri TIGER MOM
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This book was delicate and beautiful. It was very bittersweet in a nice way. Please check the trigger warnings of this book if you want to purchase it. Melinda acts like a real teenager. She is not a clichéd teenager. That inside look into her mind. This book was great. I recommend you go and watch the movie for free on YouTube. This book correctly portrays being a teenager, friendships and high school. Oh and bonus points for the stunning cover 7/5 stars!! Shipping and all that was great too!!!!!

Reviewer: Anand Sinha
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Mel’s character really killed it for me.The book is so raw and honest it feels like we have ourselves gone through what Melinda has.It literally travels down your spine. Every teen must read.

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