Student Review: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Image from RRHS Catalog

In this story, an incoming freshman named Melinda is sexually assaulted over summer break. She is at a party whenever it happened, and in a state of shock, she calls the police and doesn't say anything. The police show up though, and many people are arrested. She becomes an outcast at school and loses all her friends, making her freshman year extremely hard. Find out what happens to Melinda in Speak, a 2000 Nation Book Award nominee, by Laurie Halse Anderson.

This book is a short, sad and super amazing book. I started and finished it in less than 24 hours; it was very hard to put down. I read The Seeds of America trilogy (also by Laurie Halse Anderson) and was in love with her writing, so I read Speak and I do not regret it! It is amazing writing that deals with sensitive subject matter, beautifully. Read this book!

If you like crying over or feeling for the main character, Speak is the perfect book for you. The main character struggles with mental illness and trauma after what happened to her. You would like this book if you like… reading realistic fiction! Everyone would love this book!

- Jack, RRHS Student