Speak

20th Anniversary Edition

De: Laurie Halse Anderson

Narrado por: Mandy Siegfried, Ashley C. Ford, Jason Reynolds, Laurie Halse Anderson

"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 includes a new introduction written and read by acclaimed writer, host, speaker, and cultural commentator Ashley C. Ford as well as an afterword written and read 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 written and read by 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

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

Amazing!

This is a grate book for high schoolers!!! I finished it in 4 days! Highly recommend

Haunting teenage narrative

My school reads Speak with our 9th graders. I feel that Speak engages modern students by speaking to their daily life in a genuine way. This set up allows the author to engage them in the gripping story of Melinda's trauma in High School. Great book overall, but the last couple of chapters took my breath away.

Wished there was a tracklist

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book is great, I downloaded this audiobook for my class. My 8th graders are reading this book and I wanted them to also listen to it.

I just wish there was a tracklist to make it easier for me to know where the chapters start.

Great for the Classroom

Would you try another book from Laurie Halse Anderson and/or Mandy Siegfried?

Students are currently reading 2 Laurie Halse Anderson books in ELA. Mandy Siegrried does a great job, but I do find her pacing slower than the story and listen to it at 1.25x instead of the recorded slower pace.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr. Freeman is a strong character, being there for Melinda as she opens up. He gives her opportunities to express herself.

What does Mandy Siegfried bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mandy Siegfried has a squeaky voice which fits great for many of the characters. She also has pretty good range for the interior monologue.

Could you see Speak being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Speak has already been made into a feature length film. Abigail Breslin would play a good Matilda, Alison Gold should play Heather; . Asa Butterfield as David; Bella Thorne as any of the Marthas'; Birdy as Nicole; Ariel Winter as Ivy; Martin Garrix as IT (Andy Evens)

speak

love this book!!!! it is very easy to understand and talk about descriptive! love the authors choice of words