Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Issue
Rating: 10
Teach-ability: 7
Teachable Aspects: plot, inference, voice, character development

Wow.

I'll admit I was hesitant to start this book. It was one that I had abandoned before, bored to tears as I struggled to get through it, almost a decade ago. I also remember the book as being much thicker, almost as though my memory of the experience had the book warped to a never-ending epic of boring, depressed teenager.

I read it this time in two days. I blame my distaste for this book the first time around on lack of life experience, and lack of maturity as a read--don't get me wrong, I've always been a strong reader, but the flawless sarcasm and wit written into Melinda's character could easily been read over as an eighth grader. This time around I found Anderson's writing to be funny and her accounts of high school to be accurate and comedic, while still being pretty pessimistic.

I would definitely recommend this book to a high school student. The content of this book and Melinda make for a great companion to anyone seeking courage and solace in harsh events or even though high school. Melinda is a courageous, brave, witty, sarcastic character who is triumphant in her first year of high school, even though the cards are clearly not stacked in her favor.

My reaction to this book has completely changed from when I first read it. I am empathetic to Melinda's character. I actually like her and want the best for her even beyond the confines of this story. I left the book wanting more.
Does she turn it around?
Does she make friends?
What about summer school?
What about David?

I think that as far as content goes, this is a particularly hard subject to fictionalize. However, I think that Anderson does a superb job. The pain and depression in the character is felt through the reader and the struggles that Melinda faces are real--not an author-fabricated-character in a made-up situation in a made-up world.

Bottom line: Fantastic writing paired with a great character in an interesting place in her life intertwined for a great read.