Speak

20th Anniversary Edition

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

Narrated by: Mandy Siegfried, Ashley C. Ford, Jason Reynolds, Laurie Halse Anderson

Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From her first moment at Merryweather High, Melinda Sordino knows she's an outcast. She busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops - a major infraction in high-school society - so her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't know glare at her. She retreats into her head, where the lies and hypocrisies of high school stand in stark relief to her own silence, making her all the more mute.

But it's not so comfortable in her head, either - there's something banging around in there that she doesn't want to think about. Try as she might to avoid it, it won't go away, until there is a painful confrontation. Once that happens, she can't be silent - she must speak the truth.

In this powerful audiobook, an utterly believable, bitterly ironic heroine speaks for many a disenfranchised teenager while learning that, although it's hard to speak up for yourself, keeping your mouth shut is worse.

©1999 Laurie Halse Anderson (P)2000 Random House, Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Great book to read with your teenage child.

My teenage boy is required to read this book for his 8th grade English class. I think it's the 1st book he has finished from beginning to end. It should be mandatory for all kids entering HS. Difficult topics to discuss for parents can make for true conversations about respecting woman and what consent really means. GREAT BOOK.👍👍

The last book I teach.

Thank you for giving me a platform and a book to hide behind. As a parent and a teacher, this edition and all of its advice and resources scare the hell out of me. And it makes my job easier. My seniors started this year with Reynolds and they will end with you. And I will know when they walk out those doors that they have a person, organization, or at least a faint memory of where to get help or to find help for another. I appreciate that. Thank you again.

Sincerely yours,

Jen

The ending

I loved how they added the ending with the prompt speaking about changing the way our society is. Powerful :)

Realistic portrayal of teenage years

Excellent story. Gripping words. Listened to book in one day! Listen with your teenagers and discuss.

Me too, before there was me too.

A powerful novel that exposes the culture many go through when it comes to rape and it's aftermath. I'd highly recommend it. Loved how Melinda eventually spoke up about what happened, and fought back, exposing Andy for the beast he is.

A great story for teenage girls to read

What did you love best about Speak?

How it tapped into the reality of teenage life and reality of their emotions and how they cope.

What other book might you compare Speak to and why?

I haven't found one like it yet.

Which character – as performed by Mandy Siegfried – was your favorite?

Melinda

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have an extreme reaction to it, I just was able to relate to the teenage emotions. It made me remember the hurt and pain that can come from teenage years and how it could seem so impossible at that time.

Good story for young teens

This is a good book to teach kids about making good decisions and advise on living through high school.

a Rollercoaster

I have never felt so close to a character before. the book went far beyond my expectations.

Speak leaving me Speechless...

* Warning this a book about sexual assault*
This book really does dive into the mind of a teenage that has been hurt physically, emotional, and psychologically. You really get a sense of how her mind goes though the motions, over the course of the year, after her sexual assault. I strongly recommend this book, definitely a must read, especially for teenagers struggling with sexual assault and looking for a world to melt into.

Great story

This was a great story of how it feels to have your voice taken away after SA. Wish the author had included some repercussions for the perpetrator but like how it played out. I think all teenagers should have to read this.