Speak

Rating:
Summary: A Book to Remember
Review: The book "Speak" was a very helpful book to me. I really liked how the author expressed Melissa and her friend Rachel in a very descriptive way, like in this quote, "Rachel is with me in the bathroom. Edit that, Rachelle is with me in the bathroom. She has changed her name. Rachel is reclaiming her European heritage by hanging out with the foreign-exchange students. I cant believe she was my best friend." I believe that the author wanted the reader to learn more about the relationship between Melissa and Rachel, because of something occurring later on in the novel. I also liked how the author described the main plot/climax in the story because it helped me understand what Melissa was going through, like in this quote "The next thing I saw was the telephone. I stood in the middle of a drunken crowd and I called 911 because I needed help." p.136
The theme of the book "Speak" is "although its hard to speak up for yourself, keeping your mouth shut is worse." I definitely agree with this theme because if something unfamiliar has happened to you, just like in Melissa's case when she was raped, what good would keeping it to yourself be, its just going to stay with you for the rest of your life. So I believe that it's better to talk with/to someone about it, so that they can help you solve your problem and put it behind you. The theme relates to my life in a weird way because, there have been times when I would lie about something major, until my parents would find out about it, when I should have just talked to my parents about it and take the consequences like a grown up.
I would definitely recommend the book to others, if you are in for a suspenseful ride through high school and are willing to experience the pros and cons of being a teenager. I would also recommend this book to young readers over the age of 12 because I do think that while students are still in junior high they should be warned of the behaviors occuring, and what actions to take before they graduate.

Rating:
Summary: A Book to Remember
Review: The book 'Speak' was a very helpful book to me. I really liked how the author expressed Melissa and her friend Rachel in a very descriptive way, like in this quote, 'Rachel is with me in the bathroom. Edit that, Rachelle is with me in the bathroom. She has changed her name. Rachel is reclaiming her European heritage by hanging out with the foreign-exchange students. I cant believe she was my best friend.' I believe that the author wanted the reader to learn more about the relationship between Melissa and Rachel, because of something occurring later on in the novel. I also liked how the author described the main plot/climax in the story because it helped me understand what Melissa was going through, like in this quote 'The next thing I saw was the telephone. I stood in the middle of a drunken crowd and I called 911 because I needed help.' p.136
The theme of the book 'Speak' is 'although its hard to speak up for yourself, keeping your mouth shut is worse.' I definitely agree with this theme because if something unfamiliar has happened to you, just like in Melissa's case when she was raped, what good would keeping it to yourself be, its just going to stay with you for the rest of your life. So I believe that it's better to talk with/to someone about it, so that they can help you solve your problem and put it behind you. The theme relates to my life in a weird way because, there have been times when I would lie about something major, until my parents would find out about it, when I should have just talked to my parents about it and take the consequences like a grown up.
I would definitely recommend the book to others, if you are in for a suspenseful ride through high school and are willing to experience the pros and cons of being a teenager. I would also recommend this book to young readers over the age of 12 because I do think that while students are still in junior high they should be warned of the behaviors occuring, and what actions to take before they graduate.

Rating:
Summary: *~*SPEAK*~*
Review: The book speak is about a depressed 9th grade girl named Melinda Sordino. The summer before her freshman year Melinda called the police on a party she went to with her friend Rachel. Ever since then all her friends haven't spoken to her and no one in the school likes her. Melinda finds a friend, heather but who later ditches her. What no one knows is that Melinda has a secret about that night at the party, but is too afraid to tell anyone.
I thought this was a great book, that many teenagers can relate too. There's a lot of people that other kids think are weird, but this book helped you to see that they could just be going through a rough time. This book is especially good for girls who have been raped, because it can help them see that it isn't their fault and they shouldn't be afraid to tell someone.
This book is also good for guys. It shows them that rape can practically destroy a girl's life. It might make them think twice before doing something like this to someone. Plus guys can get raped too even though it may not happen very often.
Speak was very well written. It showed great symbolism through Melinda's artwork, the tree in her front yard, and the school mascot just to name a few. I would suggest this book to anyone. I think all teens can get something out of this book whether it be not to drink, about rape, or that they aren't alone and there is always someone you can talk to.

Rating:
Summary: If Only She Could Speak
Review: She was a typical teenager going through every day struggles that come when you are starting high school. She had to deal with a little more than she deserved. Her world came crashing down around her that one unforgettable summer night. The whole high school knows about it and they all ignore her without thinking twice. If you are seen talking to her, you can kiss your social life goodbye. So maybe you would have talked to her..or maybe you wouldn't have. But do any of them really know what happened? Do any of them know how Melinda really feels?

It all started one summer night. It was the biggest party of the summer and Melinda was invited. One hot night, too much to drink, and a beautiful senior boy with one thing leading to another and before you know it, Melinda is calling the cops. She crashed the party and nobody knows why. All they know is she did it and no excuse is good enough. She is not worthy to be talked to or even acknowledged. Melinda is an outcast.

To top off her school and friend problems, it seems her parents are too busy & don't care about her. You would think they would notice the sudden change in their daughter. No more phone calls or visits from friends. In fact, she not only doesnt speak to her friends, she doesn't speak to anybody. She wants to speak though. So very badly...But she is afraid. If only someone would listen.

This is a great book for people of all ages, but especially teens. It shows the struggles that they can go through and that there is help available out there. Speak is a page-turner till the end.

Rating:
Summary: The best book for teen girls ever? Something to ponder...
Review: When I first started reading this book, I thought it had no purpose or direction. This book is crammed with all kinds of methaphorical verses and similes. The end meets a clean cut, edgy resolution, and the best comes for the girl "with out a name" in highschool. If parents want to know the pressures of highschool your teenage daughter, I suggest you read this book, even with your daughter.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest books i have ever read!
Review: I thought this was an awesome book for all young adults. It has so many real life issues in it that are addressed from the standpoint of the age group that we are in. Melinda (our main character) has such truth about everything she says, and although it is somewhat dark humor, it is definitely amusing to read. Almost anyone who reads it can relate in one way or another to the things she says. The reader is instantly drawn into the story as Melinda starts out describing her new school year. Every character is described in complete detail, from "principal principal" to the infamous "Mr. Neck" who is really more around for the football than the teaching. As the story builds it becomes more and more apparent that there is something very wrong with Melinda, and you can't help but be compelled to find out what it is. She has a dark secret and she refuses to say anything to anyone. At first this is only a slight problem but eventually her family and her school starts to notice. Also the one friend that she could make soon leaves her. This makes Melinda's state of silence seem even more apparent. Her grades steadily fall, and the only class she seems to stay on top of is art. In one particular assignment she makes a sculpture, and her teacher comments that it shows real pain. After this Melinda slowly starts to want to tell her secret and to break her silence. I think she was more afraid of nobody listening than anything else. The story all ends on one major moment when all of Melinda's fears come together and all of the conflict followed throughout the story is suddenly put right into her face and she has the only option of speaking, to end it all, and to try and bring things back to normal.

Rating:
Summary: speak
Review: I loved this book. Laurie Halse Anderson does an excellent job with capturing a troubled teenagers life. I was so surprised when I came to the end, and really learned why her life as a freshman was so bad. Her best friends left her, she was scared and couldn't talk to anyone. If anything like that had happened to me I dont know what I would've done. I really liked how Ms. Anderson showed Melinda's life style and what she thought, also her perpesctive of IT. Highschool is full of new things and changes and I think that she captured that life extremely well. I was so drawn into this book i couldnt put it down! Im glad that it was recommend to me... if I had never heard of this book I'd definitly be missing out. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a great book!

Rating:
Summary: a good book
Review: I just read Speak for a free choice book assignment. I thought that this book was excellent. Definitely 5 stars! I related to a couple of things in the book.It is really unusual for me to actually read for pleasure, but with this book I couldn't put it down. Laurie Halse Anderson put this book together really well and she is a very talented writer. She made everything fit together perfectly. Ms.Anderson kept the story upbeat and interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book For All Young Adults
Review: Speak was a book that I read together with my health class. I didn't think it would be that great of a book because we were reading it in class but I was wrong. I begins with the viewpoint of a highschool outcast named Melinda. She used to have many friends but now they are all mad at her but they don't know the real reason Melinda did what she did. The past summer one of her friends Rachel got them into a high school party. Melinda called the cops on that party. That is the reason none of her friends will talk to her now. At the sametime Melinda is trying to find friends her family life is changing for the worse at times.
It seems her mom is always working and her family never spends any quality time together. As you progress through the book "IT" starts to show up a lot. "IT" is a person and a secret that Melinda is keeping. "IT" from the party she was at. Melinda is fighting to keep her grades up to keep her parents happy, perfect her tree in art, and to forget that horrible night at the party that summer. Yes it was her that called the cops but why would she do it when she herself had also been drinking? What was the real reason she called the cops and why didn't she tell her friends? Read "Speak" and you will find out and also get a few laughs at the sametime.

Rating:
Summary: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Review: I read the book Speak as an assignment in my freshman girl's health class. I usually don't like the books that I read in my school classes, but this one as an exception. I found that it was really easy to get into this book because it interested me and dealt with some interesting subjects. It is an especially good book for girls. Guys may enjoy this book also, but it covers a lot of extra points and facts that many girls should know. It may also be good for girls because if they have dealt with this problem it can give them a better understanding.

In this book the main characters name is Melinda. Melinda is a freshman in high school. I am also a freshman and reading this book made m realize that a lot of the same things that are happening to her could be happening to me. Melinda used to be a very popular girl who had a lot of friends and everyone was nice to her. Then at an end of the year party of her eighth grade year, something horrible happens. Something so horrible and devastating that she makes the decision to call the cops. When she is on the phone someone else from the party takes it from her and shouts to warn everyone else that the cops are coming and that the party is going to be busted.

After that her friends wouldn't talk to her. Not even her best friend, Rachel. Melinda goes through her freshman year with only one friend, named Heather. Towards the end, Heather leaves Melinda to be part of a special group called "The Marthas." When Melinda finds that Rachel is in trouble she tries to help her. She confesses to Rachel what happened at the party and why she called the cops but Rachel doesn't believe her. Melinda took a vow of silence the night of the party, but will she break the silence to get the truth out and save he so called 'friend' Rachel? You have to read the book to find out!! It's a good book and I know you will enjoy it.