Speak Paperback – May 10, 2011

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.

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.

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!