'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson: Review

Speak

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Published By: Puffin

Publication Date: October 22, 1999

Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth. (From Goodreads)

Speak is one of those books I've been meaning to read for what feels like forever. Everyone I know who had previously read it kept telling me what a powerful story it was, I just never picked it up. When I found it at my local used book store, I grabbed it and finally I can say I know what everyone is talking about.

The story takes place in Syracuse, NY and spans the course of a school year as the main character,14 year-old Melinda tries to recover from an event that turned her world on its side. We don't find out what happened until later in the book and I know that is one of the things that kept me turning the pages. I needed to know what had happened to hurt this poor girl and change her so drastically in the course of a summer.

The story is told from Melinda's perspective and watching her try to survive what her life has become is agonizing. Melinda's narrative will sink its teeth into your heart and it won't let go until the very end. She is sarcastic and hilarious, despite everything. I found myself laughing and fighting back tears at the same time while reading. You cannot help but wordlessly cheer her on as you follow her journey. 

Melinda is the focal point of the book, the impetus driving the plot forward and we don't get too in depth with most of the other characters in the book.  But I love Mr. Freeman, her art teacher. He is the most supportive and intuitive adult in her life and for that alone you have to like him. He doesn't yell or threaten; he simply provides her with an outlet and a desire to excel at something again. I really think this helps her come back to herself in a way. 

This book is important for so many reasons. It deals with issues that are more commonplace than people realize. So many teens and youngsters are dealing with the inability to find their voice after being victimized in some way, shape or form and we need to educate and support them. I know if I have children I will be sitting them down someday to discuss this book. Kudos to Laurie Halse Anderson for helping so many young men and women see that they are not alone.

My Rating:

About Laurie Halse Anderson: 

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author who writes for kids of all ages. Known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity, her work has earned numerous ALA and state awards. Two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists.

Mother of four and wife of one, Laurie lives in Northern New York, where she likes to watch the snow fall as she writes.

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Treasured Thursdays: Most Treasured Punch in the Gut

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. I'm hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This week our topic is our most treasured punch in the gut.

I know what everyone is thinking; Who treasures a punch in the stomach..? Me. And by that I mean most brutally honest and heartbreaking story, of course. 

Now me? I've read a bunch of sickeningly real stories about things no one wants to talk about. If it involves suicide or being uncomfortable with ones self, you can bet I've read it or it's on my TBR list (250 long and growing). I just love it. How morbid does this make me? Quite. I don't care.

I have a lot of favorites, honestly. Anything by Ellen Hopkins is loved, Jay Asher's 13 Reasons Why was beautiful, North of Beautiful is creeping up on my "I love you" list, and there are too many to name, honestly. But I do have one that I love immensely, and that is...

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Can you say ow?

For those of you who haven't read it, here's the summery:

Melina Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth.

I bought this book because I found an ad online that someone was making a movement to ban the book from school libraries. Banned books? Oh, yes, I am going to read it, I thought. It must have something dark, right? 

I wasn't disappointed. Though it did take a little while to get to the point, I was never bored. I was always wondering what happened to Melinda, and reading forward and hoping and praying every time I began a new chapter it would be the chapter I found out what happened to her. I won't spoil it for you (someone's heart just sank...) because I want you all to go pick it up if you haven't already. 

This is my most treasured; what's yours?

Author Appreciation Day 29: Double Dose: Laurie Halse Anderson And Ellen Hopkins Doin' It Real

Author Appreciation Day 29 greet y'all with a double dose of the hardcore realness, with Ellen Hopkins and Laurie Halse Anderson.

Laurie Halse Anderson's Website

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times bestselling author of Speak, Catalyst, Wintergirls, Fever 1793, Twisted, Prom, Thank You Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving, The Hair Of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes To School, The Wild At Heart series, and Seeds Of America.

To be honest I have only read Speak so far, but Catalyst, Wintergirls, Fever 1793, and Prom are on my TBR pile, and Twisted is sitting on my bookshelves. I really need to catch up.

Speak broke my heart. I would love to talk about it for hours, but I'm not sure how to do so without completely ruining the whole story. I remember I decided I needed to buy it, when some jerk who was afraid of life decided it should become banned from public schools. I thought this was a stupid thing, and decided I needed to find out what all the hubbub was about.

I was not disappointed at ALL, and I am in love with this novel so much. So hardcore...unf. Beautiful.

Ellen Hopkins Website

Ellen Hopkins is the New York Times bestselling author of Crank, Glass, Fallout, Impulse, Perfect, Burned, Identical, Tricks, Triangles, and Tilt.

I found Crank while on a verse kick. I was also in a what-is-so-realisticly-dark-that-I'll-be-doubled-over-bawling mood. Crank, written in verse, is the book that makes my verse-hating friends love it.

The novel is based off the real life story of Ellen's daughter, who also danced with the monster (as Ellen would phrase). Knowing this makes it all the more gut wrenching, and I adore every minute of it.

The Crank trilogy is currently the only novels of Ellen Hopkins' that I have purchased, as of yet. Ugh, I need more money.

Anyhow. I shall meet you all at the bookstore to pick up the rest of my books! I'll see you, there!