Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Review by: Carfiniel

This is a fantastic book! It is not my usual choice for an afternoon's read, but it was given to me from a friend whose opinion I regard highly - and incidentally, it isn't his usual type of reading, either!

Melinda is a freshman in high school, and she is an Outcast. Because of something that happened over the summer, none of her former friends are speaking to her, and people who don't even know her recognize her name with hatred. She narrates the book in first-person, delivered in little sections that can't even be termed chapters - that's part of what made this book go so fast.

As we continue reading (the book is divided into four major sections, termed "Marking Periods", which have a report card at the end of each) we learn more about what happened over the summer. She called the police while she was at a party, and a lot of kids were arrested. The reason she called the police isn't given until the end of third marking period (and I'm not going to give it away here) when Melinda realizes that one of her (former) friends is in danger unless she has the courage to speak out.

As the school year progresses, the book's tone gets darker and more frightening. Paralyzed by fear, Melinda slowly loses her ability to speak, and chews her lips to bloody pulps. Her few remaining human connections--her science lab partner, her art teacher--still accept her for who she is, but her busy parents are oblivious to the torment their daughter is experiencing. Even when she is disciplined for poor grades and cutting class, they don't know how to make her talk to them, and don't take the time to try to listen. The only way she manages to express herself is through her art project -- to draw, paint, sculpt, a tree. As her emotions and character changes, so do her trees.

Even though the subject matter of the book is very dark and frightening, I found the book overall to be full of humour. Melinda mocks the high school cliques, her parents, and herself, in the monologue running inside her head. And the end of the book manages to be uplifting, so that even as your tears are still on your cheeks, you smile and know Melinda will be okay.

I am not a fan of the Oprah Book Club or After School Specials -I just don't enjoy stories about tormented women or the problems plaguing women and girls in today's society. I am not trying to criticize those stories, because I know they serve a very important purpose; I'm just saying that they're not usually my cup of tea. But _Speak_ took me by surprise. I was moved by this book, and I think it's one all women should read -- whether you are sixteen or sixty, pick up this book. It is worth it!

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