Title: Speak Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
ISBN: 0-14-240732-1
Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 9th and Up
Publisher: Penguin Group
Media Type: Book
Copyright: 1999
Genre: Fiction
Reader's Annotation: If only they could hear her side of the story then they would understand why she called the cops. So, why can’t Melinda just say something?
Plot Summary: After a terrifying night at a party, Melinda quickly becomes an outcast at school. Everyone blames Melinda for breaking up an end of summer party, but they don’t know the real reason she called the police that night. Slowly, the terrifying events from that night consume her and Melinda is no longer able to talk. She quickly becomes even more of an outcast. Throughout the course of the novel Melinda finds her own ways to deal with what happened that night and finally makes a shocking revelation.
Evaluation: (A) Laurie Halse Anderson provides for a realistic plot line that results in a timeless story. The events that unfold in Speak have happened to many high school students and, sadly, will continue. The author describes Melinda's experiences with an impressive amount of realism. Additionally, Melinda's thoughts and inner dialogue are surprisingly realistic. Laurie Halse Anderson must have channeled her inner teenager when she penned this novel.
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