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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Solid graphic novel about a 9th grade girl who has to navigate school after being sexually assaulted. Plot and characters were well developed.
There have been a lot of books since Speak to come out addressing rape and consent, but Laurie Halse Anderson's book is the original. It's really well done. Heartbreaking and complex, you really feel like you're in Miranda's brain.
And Emily Carroll is just a master. I fell in love with her illustration style in Through the Woods, and I just cannot get enough of her. This was a PERFECT pairing. Speak is probably even better as a graphic novel. It's a story about art and healing and the metaphorical darkness that creeps into your brain, and it's a PERFECT opportunity for a great cartoonist to really dig into it. Emily Carroll doesn't disappoint.
I think I prefer reading the stuff that she also WRITES (please write another graphic novel, Ms. Carroll?), but she was the perfect choice to illustrate this story. The only thing that would have made it better is if it had been on glossy paper in color.
And Emily Carroll is just a master. I fell in love with her illustration style in Through the Woods, and I just cannot get enough of her. This was a PERFECT pairing. Speak is probably even better as a graphic novel. It's a story about art and healing and the metaphorical darkness that creeps into your brain, and it's a PERFECT opportunity for a great cartoonist to really dig into it. Emily Carroll doesn't disappoint.
I think I prefer reading the stuff that she also WRITES (please write another graphic novel, Ms. Carroll?), but she was the perfect choice to illustrate this story. The only thing that would have made it better is if it had been on glossy paper in color.
A beautiful version of Speak, in graphic novel form... an artistic rendition of a novel about the healing power of art.
Definitely recommend this, but do note that there are potential sexual abuse triggers in this book (both novel form and graphic novel form). They’re not super graphic but I can see it being overwhelming for some.
Definitely recommend this, but do note that there are potential sexual abuse triggers in this book (both novel form and graphic novel form). They’re not super graphic but I can see it being overwhelming for some.
This was my first graphic novel. I’m not sure why I waited this long to read one. I had no idea how impactful they can be. This one tore me up inside. I’m sure many of our students are experiencing trauma like the main character in this book does. It made me really step back and examine some assumptions I’ve made with some students. I want to be someone they can turn to and talk to, not just another rigid adult harping on them to fulfill my expectations no matter what they’re going through in life.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
I flew right through this book. It only took a couple hours, and it definitely caught my interest.
I get the feeling the target audience for this book is more middle grade than YA. I’m glad there is something like this out in the world for younger people to understand such a heavy topic as rape.
I believe the original book, not this graphic novel, would be more suitable for me to read, though I have not read it and [b:Speak: The Graphic Novel|34495927|Speak The Graphic Novel|Laurie Halse Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496087761l/34495927._SX50_.jpg|57368946] was interesting. Despite the depictions of depression in this book, I didn’t feel that crushing grief I sometimes do when reading books like this. Maybe I felt a little more detached from Melinda than I have with other characters, but it was a nice change to be able to absorb this important topic without breaking down and crying.
There were a lot of slow parts to the story, which made it a little monotonous, but I understand how it was necessary for the build up at the end. However, I had hoped there would be more of an understanding at the end and a conviction for change than there was.
Overall, this is a great book for younger readers to understand the injustice many people face and the pressures society enforces to keep them silent.
I get the feeling the target audience for this book is more middle grade than YA. I’m glad there is something like this out in the world for younger people to understand such a heavy topic as rape.
I believe the original book, not this graphic novel, would be more suitable for me to read, though I have not read it and [b:Speak: The Graphic Novel|34495927|Speak The Graphic Novel|Laurie Halse Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496087761l/34495927._SX50_.jpg|57368946] was interesting. Despite the depictions of depression in this book, I didn’t feel that crushing grief I sometimes do when reading books like this. Maybe I felt a little more detached from Melinda than I have with other characters, but it was a nice change to be able to absorb this important topic without breaking down and crying.
There were a lot of slow parts to the story, which made it a little monotonous, but I understand how it was necessary for the build up at the end. However, I had hoped there would be more of an understanding at the end and a conviction for change than there was.
Overall, this is a great book for younger readers to understand the injustice many people face and the pressures society enforces to keep them silent.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Phenomenal.