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Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
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Speak (edition 2011)

by Laurie Halse Anderson (Author)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingConversations / Mentions
14,738721376 (4.1)1 / 383
A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school.
Member:draconistabula
Title:Speak
Authors:Laurie Halse Anderson (Author)
Info:Square Fish (2011), Edition: Reprint, 224 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:
Tags:None

Work Information

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

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  5. 10
    The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (Caramellunacy)
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    norabelle414: Books about two different girls who are raped in similar situations, but have different outcomes due to different support systems.

(see all 21 recommendations)

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Group TopicMessagesLast Message 
 World Reading Circle: (M94'12) Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson4 unread / 4cedargrove, January 2013

» See also 383 mentions

English (710)  Italian (3)  Spanish (2)  Portuguese (Portugal) (1)  Dutch (1)  French (1)  All languages (718)
Showing 1-5 of 710 (next | show all)
In eighth grade, Melinda had friends and good grades. Then, she went to a party during the summer. She drank too much and lost her virginity to an upperclassman who ignored her protests and raped her because he could. Melinda called 9-1-1. When the police arrived at the party, she couldn’t force herself to tell them what happened. Everyone thought she called because of the drinking or some other lame reason. Everyone blamed her for the arrests. So, Melinda Sordino begins freshman year as a social pariah. As the year progresses, Melinda’s grades suffer, and she stops talking to everyone including her parents. The very sight of “Andy Beast” makes her sick to her stomach. Art class becomes Melinda’s sanctuary. The first day, Mr. Freeman tells his students that art is where they will find their “soul” if they dare. As Melinda wrestles with a way to turn the word “tree” into a work of art, she begins to find her voice. When the event that plunged Melinda into silence threatens a repeat, she learns how to speak.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com ( )
  kathymariemax | Feb 5, 2024 |
Every teenager and their parent should read this book. Very poignant. ( )
  LuLibro | Jan 22, 2024 |
This is a much better book than I expected. The descriptions left me unexcited, but I was curious from our being on banned lists. It is shocking that this would be considered inappropriate for a youth audience. I realize the sexual implications can be hard for some parents to deal with, but I feel like I've read through and they might realize that this is not a book that glorifies sex and parties, quiet the opposite in fact. ( )
  mslibrarynerd | Jan 13, 2024 |
It's not really pleasant or enjoyable to read books like this, even when they're as well-written and engaging as this one is. Honestly, this book troubled my sleep and left me a in a weird mood. But we read books like these because bad stuff happens and these books maybe help us deal with reality. ( )
  LibrarianDest | Jan 3, 2024 |
Never having to had experience what this character went through, I think that it showed good insight as to what a teenage girl feels while keeping her emotions so bottled up. I know this isn't a movie site, but I enjoyed the TV drama that was made from this book, they did a really good job in portraying the character. ( )
  Luzader | Oct 25, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 710 (next | show all)
The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.
added by khuggard | editKirkus Reviews
 
In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.
added by khuggard | editBooklist, Debbie Carton
 
Anderson expresses the emotions and the struggles of teenagers perfectly. Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.
added by khuggard | editSchool Library Journal, Dina Sherman
 
But the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.
added by khuggard | editPublishers Weekly
 
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).
added by khuggard | editAmazon.com, Jennifer Hubert
 

» Add other authors (1 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Laurie Halse Andersonprimary authorall editionscalculated
Abos, ElenaTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Correa, María MercedesTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Forsström, Ann MargretTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Heesen, HansTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Kantele, Arja(KÄÄnt.)secondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Kollmann, BirgittÜbersetzersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Morgenstern, MichaelCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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Epigraph
Dedication
To Sandy Bernstein, who helped me find my voice, and to my husband Greg, who listens
First words
It is my first morning of high school.
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A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school.

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Book description
This book describes the struggle of a teenage girl to find her voice. You watch the character fall into depression, go mute, drop tremendously in school, and isolate herself from society. As if feeling unsafe in the world isn't enough, Melinda doesn't even feel safe in her own mind. And why? Maybe because all of her once best friends refuse to talk to her for busting an end of the summer party. Or perhaps it has something to do with the fact that her parents couldn't take less of an interest in her, and refuse to communicate as they get sucked into their workaholic lives. Deep down, Melinda Sordino knows the reason that her life has turned into a living hell. The only way to escape this whirlwind of torture is to speak, but that's not as easy as it may seem.
Haiku summary
A party turned foul,
Pain rooted in memory,
Stay silent or speak
(Rose7771)

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Laurie Halse Anderson is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.

profile page | author page

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Average: (4.1)
0.5 8
1 52
1.5 10
2 142
2.5 23
3 608
3.5 143
4 1316
4.5 174
5 1529

 

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