A review by geniesurreal
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

4.0

A thoughtful representation of what a bullied teenager would go through. What I admired most is, Anderson did not dramatize the bullying actions to make them seem severe (ex. daily beatings, disgusting cyber bullying, movie-style high school torment). She focused more on the reality of bullying. How young girls can say harsh and hurtful things in a split second that would stick to you for the rest of the day. How being secluded feels from the inside even though it looks like sitting alone at lunch.
I appreciate Anderson's choices in talking about bullying. Although severe cases do happen they mostly overshadow the small and barely noticed cases. The silent teasing, judgmental glances, isolation, and the spread of rumors.