Publisher: Square Fish (MacMillian)
Release Date: Originally published Oct. 1999. Reprint edition (May 10, 2011)
Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Problem, Trauma
Medium: Paperback, bought
Speak was a deep and meaningful read. It harnessed the written power to express one girl's journey to come to terms with her rape, and showed the steps it took to confess it, confront it, and how she recovered afterwards.
Written much like a diary, Speak tells the story of a girl named Melinda, who was raped at a summer party, and then bullied at her school afterwards because she called the cops and busted up the party. It showcases much character development as she learns to stand up for herself and attempt to protect others from the guy who raped her, a classmate who still follows her around. It shows the effects of teenage drinking and bullying, and sheds a light on the way-too-common act of rape, and teaches readers to always speak up. This groundbreaking novel is a perfect read for teenage English classes and book clubs, especially with girls, although for boys too, but mostly to educate and convince girls to say no and fight back.
This novel was written beautifully. It tells the story of a fictional girl, although yet keeping it on a personal basis, so that the characters are very relatable and easy to read about. Anderson keeps the writing clean and educating, while still keeping it page turning and interesting. A very intellectual and mind-turning novel, this is a novel every teen should read. 3 stars. I very much enjoyed this novel.
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