Speak

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. ISBN-10: 014131088X, ISBN-13: 9780141310886. Puffin. 1999.

Summary
Melinda is now the most hated person at her school because she is responsible for busting a huge end-of-summer party by calling the police. No one will talk to her, so she's retreated into herself where she can keep her secrets deeply hidden. If the truth got out about what really happened, Melinda would have to speak about it, and that would destroy the safety net she has built for herself.

Critical Evaluation
There always are those kids at school who seem very happy to withdraw from everything and everyone all of the sudden—and no one reaches out to them. Usually they are teased and tormented. The story of Melinda is no different from many stories of girls who go to parties as one girl and leave as a very different girl. And similar to many girls like her, she fades into the background without offering answers. Young adults will be caught up in the mystery of the "whys" of Melinda's disappearance, as well as gaining some understanding of the actual situation.

Reader's Annotation
Rather than speak about the unspeakable, Melinda silently absorbs the insults and harassments from her old friends as well as people she never met when she is responsible for calling the police and busting up a party.

About the Author
Laurie Halse Anderson is a native to New York state, and is where she currently lives and writes. The bestselling author writes books for kids of all ages, but is possibly best known for her young adult novels. Her debut novel Speak was a National Book Award finalist, a New York Times bestseller and a Printz Honor book. Catalyst followed in 2003, Prom in 2006 and Twisted in 2008—all of which touching on tough subjects with delicacy and the right amount of humor.

Anderson is also very well known for her American History picture books that highlight the women who also helped shape our country. Vet Volunteers is a chapter book series written for elementary readers. While Anderson alternates between her projects, she is often recognized for her outstanding efforts. She was presented with 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award for Catalyst, Fever 1793 and Speak. In 2008, she received the ALAN Award for her "outstanding contribution to the field of adolescent literature. And in April 2010, she was chosen to be the School Library Month spokesperson by the American Association of School Librarians.

Genre
Girls/Women
Sexual Violence

Curriculum Ties
n/a

Booktalking Ideas
If your best friend changed her personality over night, how hard would you try to figure out what brought about the change…
Would you be able to forgive your friend if she called the police to a party and basically committed social murder to you and her other friends…

Awards
Margaret A. Edwards Award (2009)

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 15+

Why I included this title...
I heard Laurie Halse Anderson speak about her books, and to hear her talk about them makes you want to read the books… immediately!