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 ending

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

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

Fantastic audio book for 15+

I have listened to several hundred audiobooks and this was on of the best I had heard. I listened to this on holiday and it was so good I finished listening within two days.

Powerful

This book is very powerful it speaks to all the people who have been hurt and are scared to speak up for themselves I recommend to everyone

Excellent

This is one of my favorite books and I had wondered if I would enjoy the audio version as well. It turns out I did and this now has a permanent spot on my ipod.

The first time I read this, I wasn't sure if I would like it as it was primarily a cover buy, however, as the story developed and we saw what happened and how she dealt with it...I think that's what has kept this as one of my favorite books over the years.

Perfect for early teens

This book when read at the right time is perfect. Before a girl starts experimenting with dating and sex, it is important to lay a foundation of what is right and what is wrong. The story is told through the voice of a teenager. Very relatable and spot on. It is an eye opener to naïve girls on the dangers of dating and the dangers that lay awaiting at teen parties. I listened to the audible alongside my daughter in the car and it was powerful. Nothing inappropriate and very age appropriate and will make girls think!

I loved this book so much.

Wow, this was amazing the plot and story overall was absolutely fantastic!!! It really had me feeling for it, and this book was 100% worth my time! ^ ^ One word for this story. Fantastic.

Important for adolescents to read

This was a very frustrating book to read, as you feel hopeless to help the narrator. I believe it is an important book for teenagers to read in order to understand the impact that traumatic events can have on a person psychologically. The only thing I wish it did show were different ways to cope with events. Of course, it did show time and that healing is going to happen in different ways for everyone. It also showed that part of that individual has been stolen, but that finally coming to terms gives some semblance of future. If nothing else, the speakers after the "afterward" in the book should be addressed with all teens.

loved it

i loved it a lot like the way she read the story and stuff it was good