Staff Pick
Books are powerful. When Speak was published 20 years ago, there were very few stories like it. Holding this book, I think of copies getting passed from person to person, lending solace and understanding. As the #MeToo movement has shown, stories like this that make survivors' voices heard are still extremely relevant and important. Recommended By Christine R., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
"Speak up for yourself--we want to know what you have to say."
From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, she becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether.
Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. But this time Melinda fights back, refuses to be silent, and thereby achieves a measure of vindication.
A timeless novel about consent and finding the courage to speak up for yourself, the twentieth anniversary edition of the classic novel that has spoken to so many young adults now has a new introduction and backmatter, including an updated Q&A, resource list, and essay and poem from Laurie Halse Anderson.
Praise for Speak
"In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. . . . Will leave readers touched and inspired."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last."
--The Horn Book, starred review
Praise for Speak: The Graphic Novel:
" Emily Carroll] should be recognized as one of the best graphic storytellers out there."
--Kate Beaton, author of Hark A Vagrant
"What a talent. What a voice."
--Mark Siegel, author of Sailor Twain, or The Mermaid in the Hudson
"Carroll knows how to capture uncomfortable emotions--guilt, regret, possessiveness, envy--and transform them into hair-raising narratives."
--New York Times Book Review
Accolades for Speak
New York Times Bestseller
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Michael L. Printz Honor Book
National Book Award Finalist
Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Booklist Top Ten First Novel
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Synopsis
"Speak up for yourself--we want to know what you have to say."
A timeless novel about consent and finding the courage to speak up for yourself, the twentieth anniversary edition of the classic novel that has spoken to so many young adults now includes a new introduction by acclaimed writer, host, speaker, and cultural commentator Ashley C. Ford as well as an afterword by New York Times-bestselling author of All American Boys and Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds. This edition will also feature an updated Q&A, resource list, and essay and poem from Laurie Halse Anderson.
From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, she becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether.
Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. But this time Melinda fights back, refuses to be silent, and thereby achieves a measure of vindication.
Praise for Speak
"In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. . . . Will leave readers touched and inspired."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last."
--The Horn Book, starred review
Accolades for Speak
New York Times Bestseller
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Michael L. Printz Honor Book
National Book Award Finalist
Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Booklist Top Ten First Novel
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Synopsis
A special 20th anniversary edition of the groundbreaking National Book Award Finalist and Michael L. Printz Honor Book with more than 3.5 million copies sold. Speak is a bestselling modern classic about consent, healing, and finding your voice.
"Speak up for yourself--we want to know what you have to say." From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, an outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, Melinda becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether. Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. But this time Melinda fights back--and refuses to be silent.
From Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award laureate Laurie Halse Anderson comes the extraordinary landmark novel that has spoken to millions of readers, been translated into 35 different languages, and was the basis for the major motion picture starring Kristen Stewart. This edition features a new introduction by acclaimed writer, host, speaker, and cultural commentator Ashley C. Ford; an afterword by #1 New York Times-bestselling and multi-award winning author Jason Reynolds; as well as an updated Q&A, resource list, essay, and poem from Laurie Halse Anderson.
Awards and Accolades for Speak:
A New York Times Bestseller
A National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book
An Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist
A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
BCCB Blue Ribbon Award Winner
A TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time
A Cosmopolitan Magazine Best YA Books Everyone Should Read, Regardless of Age
An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
And don't miss the critically acclaimed Speak: The Graphic Novel adapted by Laurie Halse Anderson herself, with artwork from Eisner-Award winner Emily Carroll.