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Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Freshman in high school overcomes traumatic event.
Teenage years are a period of experimentation, finding a place to fit in. The four years of high school can be difficult and depressing, if left alone. Laurie Halse Anderson’s debut novel, Speak, covers the struggle of a 14-year-old girl as she battles a terrible secret and ultimately discovers who she is.
Speak is told through the eyes of Melinda Sordino, a girl who becomes an outcast after calling the cops at a summer party. Throughout the novel, Melinda walks around in silence. She refuses to speak to anyone after the night of the party. Melinda suffers physically and emotionally, shutting out all in her life. Readers watch as she loses friends, skips class, rebels against her parents, and walks around school in fear of “it.”
Art is Melinda’s only comfort and it reflects her emotions and growth during the novel. Characters and readers are kept out of the loop by Melinda, as her fear grows. What is at the core of her pain is unknown, until one old friend is in need of her help. Melinda must make the choice between speaking out or watching history repeat itself.
Anderson has done a wonderful job portraying high school life. Realistic in nature, she represents the good and bad side of the young adult society. Readers are easily trapped in the atmosphere and can feel Melinda’s pain while flipping through the pages.
Laurie Halse Anderson takes a serious topic and turns it into a beautiful story. The style and composition of the novel make it an easy read, but nonetheless strong. Speak is an excellent novel for teens and adults and deserved its honor of the Pulitzer Prize. A must read, once opened, this book will be read entirely in one sitting.
Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
ISBN: 9780142407325
Review written by: Melissa Croce
Reviewer's Rating:9
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
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