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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
This books was so great. I'm usually not into this type of books because of the subject matter (wont spoil it for those who haven't read it) and it just for personal reason ,but this books was amazing . The character is so relatable and funny while also being deep . The subject/message isn't shoved down to the point of annoyance . A great YA novel everyone should read.
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
8th & up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(5 Out of 5 Stars) Beautiful, compelling novel is thought provoking and timeless.
SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson, published in 1999, was considered very controversial when first released. It was however, realized by those thoughtful enough to see it, very relevant and very important. It realistically portrays the subject of matter at hand and is a book that I honestly believe is important for teens to read. Anderson creates a narrative that is both comprehensive and deeply intricate- (and at certain points brilliantly ironic) and does justice in delivering the message. Melinda’s voice is genuine, funny, and compelling. The book becomes heartbreaking as we grow on the character’s sardonic tone and realize the true genesis of our protagonist’s attitude. It is a book for mature readers- it is simply written though profoundly resonant and I hope all readers utilize its true potential.
Melinda is a ninth grader just starting high school. She is ostracized by her classmates for calling the cops on a summer party- she becomes an outcast, though she can’t tell anyone the real reason why she called the cops. The entire school year Miranda is withdrawn- she won’t talk to anyone about what happened. All her friends have left her, she’s ditching classes and starting to fail. She develops a constant state of contemplative depression doesn’t give anyone a chance to reach out.
The only thing looking up for her is her art class. Her unconventional teacher, Mr. Freeman encourages Melinda through art to speak out. Her assignment for the year is to draw a tree in every way that she can. She learns through this that it’s imperfection that makes something great. Deeper messages are hidden into the events that occur through Melinda’s narrative- it’s something I would recommend for book clubs to examine and could relate to. The conclusion is satisfying and just a little hopeful, just as Melinda comes to do what she’s been building up to: to speak.
This novel is timeless. Though placed against a simple backdrop and a considerably self-pitying tone, I believe that Melinda’s narrative is what held up this story. It was very human and very raw, quietly beautiful and considerate. Melinda’s descriptions of her school and school cliques were very realistic and impressively layered- I also loved how the author placed just enough characters to help the plot [and character development of Melinda] move, but also few enough to show Melinda’s self-isolation. I love the important messages it gives to teens- especially to those who are going through what Melinda did. It is honestly one of the best YA books ever written, and I hope it will be continued to be read by teens across time.
Number of pages: 200
Published: March 1999
Published by: Penguin Putnam
for Young Readers
Jason's Rating: 5 Stars
Price: $6.99
Recommended Reading Age: 14+
Passage from this Book:
“'You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?'
The tears dissolve the last block of ice in my throat. I feel the frozen stillness melt down through the inside of me, dripping shards of ice that vanish in a puddle of sunlight stained on to the floor. Words float up.
Me: 'Let me tell you about it.'”
See more reviews on: jasonsbookstack.blogspot.com
Follow us on twitter at @jbookstack
SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson, published in 1999, was considered very controversial when first released. It was however, realized by those thoughtful enough to see it, very relevant and very important. It realistically portrays the subject of matter at hand and is a book that I honestly believe is important for teens to read. Anderson creates a narrative that is both comprehensive and deeply intricate- (and at certain points brilliantly ironic) and does justice in delivering the message. Melinda’s voice is genuine, funny, and compelling. The book becomes heartbreaking as we grow on the character’s sardonic tone and realize the true genesis of our protagonist’s attitude. It is a book for mature readers- it is simply written though profoundly resonant and I hope all readers utilize its true potential.
Melinda is a ninth grader just starting high school. She is ostracized by her classmates for calling the cops on a summer party- she becomes an outcast, though she can’t tell anyone the real reason why she called the cops. The entire school year Miranda is withdrawn- she won’t talk to anyone about what happened. All her friends have left her, she’s ditching classes and starting to fail. She develops a constant state of contemplative depression doesn’t give anyone a chance to reach out.
The only thing looking up for her is her art class. Her unconventional teacher, Mr. Freeman encourages Melinda through art to speak out. Her assignment for the year is to draw a tree in every way that she can. She learns through this that it’s imperfection that makes something great. Deeper messages are hidden into the events that occur through Melinda’s narrative- it’s something I would recommend for book clubs to examine and could relate to. The conclusion is satisfying and just a little hopeful, just as Melinda comes to do what she’s been building up to: to speak.
This novel is timeless. Though placed against a simple backdrop and a considerably self-pitying tone, I believe that Melinda’s narrative is what held up this story. It was very human and very raw, quietly beautiful and considerate. Melinda’s descriptions of her school and school cliques were very realistic and impressively layered- I also loved how the author placed just enough characters to help the plot [and character development of Melinda] move, but also few enough to show Melinda’s self-isolation. I love the important messages it gives to teens- especially to those who are going through what Melinda did. It is honestly one of the best YA books ever written, and I hope it will be continued to be read by teens across time.
Number of pages: 200
Published: March 1999
Published by: Penguin Putnam
for Young Readers
Jason's Rating: 5 Stars
Price: $6.99
Recommended Reading Age: 14+
Passage from this Book:
“'You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?'
The tears dissolve the last block of ice in my throat. I feel the frozen stillness melt down through the inside of me, dripping shards of ice that vanish in a puddle of sunlight stained on to the floor. Words float up.
Me: 'Let me tell you about it.'”
See more reviews on: jasonsbookstack.blogspot.com
Follow us on twitter at @jbookstack
not very many books bring me to tears but this one did it. The pain she went through would bring most people to their knees and I don’t say that lightly.
When we finally see Melinda wake up a bit and see the life being brought back into her, I was cheering for her, I was excited to see her stand up to IT. I can’t even bear to think his name let alone say or write it.
This book is a hard horse pill to swallow and it should be read when you KNOW you’re able to handle it. I had to set my phone down (apple book reader here) and just digest the pain. It’s hard to read even if the event is fictional because you know that someone out there has experienced this pain.
To any and all Melinda’s out there, I hope you’re healing and I hope you get your justice because that are too many ITS out there that think they’re entitled to us, you’re stronger than you think you are and those ITS will have their day of reckoning.
resources (please add more in the comments if you’re reading this):
http://www.rainn.org/
When we finally see Melinda wake up a bit and see the life being brought back into her, I was cheering for her, I was excited to see her stand up to IT. I can’t even bear to think his name let alone say or write it.
This book is a hard horse pill to swallow and it should be read when you KNOW you’re able to handle it. I had to set my phone down (apple book reader here) and just digest the pain. It’s hard to read even if the event is fictional because you know that someone out there has experienced this pain.
To any and all Melinda’s out there, I hope you’re healing and I hope you get your justice because that are too many ITS out there that think they’re entitled to us, you’re stronger than you think you are and those ITS will have their day of reckoning.
resources (please add more in the comments if you’re reading this):
http://www.rainn.org/
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m honestly speechless
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
sad
slow-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
I think every young girl should read this. It was never your fault 💚
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm
This was an extremely difficult read (emotions-wise and in terms of trigger warnings) and honestly I didn’t like it at first and wanted to put it down. I figured “oh it’s a short audiobook so I may as well just listen to the whole thing.” By the end of the book I was getting quite emotional, especially when the school year came full circle. My initial thoughts that Melinda was a snarky teenager was just such a wrong way of thinking about this story. I’ve very glad to have read this whole book, since it gave me a better understanding of who Melinda is and what she went though. I definitely forgot what it was like to be in high school (I blame that partially on Covid, but also on myself), so this was a wake up call for my memories. Melinda experiences sexual assault, bullying, depression, and the societal expectations/pressures that come with being a high schooler throughout the story. It really pained me to see her exhibit signs that would nowadays immediately (at least in the best case scenario) make an educator worried that something had happened, and have really no one do anything about it (art teacher aside). Even her own parents never really ask her why she’s not speaking, they just ask Melinda to please answer them/knock it off. The growth, self healing and determination that Melinda develops during the story is extremely impressive and heartbreaking at the same time. Just ahhhh - That poor kid :( I wasn’t born when this book came out, but I can imagine how rough the conversations surrounding sexual assault were back then since they certainly weren’t that developed in 2016 when I became a teenager. This is a very important read, but certainly not for everyone considering the content.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racism, Sexism