Speak

Rating:
Summary: A Novel That Truly Speaks
Review: This book was amazing. It follows Melinda Sordino, a girl hated by her peers since she busted a wild end of summer party by calling the police. Alienated by her friends and alone, Melinda plummets into a world of silence, surrounded only by her thoughts. The style of writing in this book was cool, with different headings to describe each entry...it was almost like a journal. Melinda's thoughts are hilarious at times, and tearjerking at other times as she explores herself through art class, befriends geeky "martha" wannabe Heather and struggles with her issues at home. The ultimate question is, what caused her to call the cops and silence herself? Read this book and find out! I strongly suggest you buy this, because it's the kind of book that with every time you reread it, you appreciate it more.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever written
Review: This book is unusual compared to other books you may have read before, but that just makes it all the more addicting. I couldnt put it down when I started reading it, It is focused mainly on a High school girl who is viewed as a loner, and this stereotype makes her herself think that she has no meaning to life. She's left completly helpless while handling trouble at home. But putting in the effort is what mattered. But things werent always like this, before her high school days, she was a regular kid, living a happy life. But at a graduation party everything changed because of one phone call that could have been prevented. Now by dialing 3 digits to the police, Melinda has completly turned her life upside down

Rating:
Summary: High School Cliques and Sarcastic Wits
Review: Speak is one of the best books a young adult could read. It gets you involved in her life and her thoughts, you feel as though you are experiencing what Melinda went through.

The book is about Melinda Sordino, who became an outcast because she called the police at a party, not to break it up, but to report a rape...and she was the victim. However, she never reported the rape to the police. So the school was under the assumption she did it to ruin the party, and she "became" an outcast.

Throught the entire book she places everyone into a category or gives them a nickname. Her english teacher is Hairwoman. There was the "Marthas", nicknamed that because everything was done perfectly and planned accordingly.

In some cases she tries to find acceptance from people, but sometimes dosen't. I think her strongest achievement was realizing she needed to tell someone sooner or later about her rape, that she should speak. Although I hope nobody has to experience rape and then not report it. If you are one of those woman, reading this will definetly change your thoughts and decisions towards it. However, you can also relate to the book in many other ways. It teaches you to speak about your problems, letting you know the problem will only get bigger and hurt you longer.

Rating:
Summary: It says more than Educators could
Review: While to many the likely hood of date rape is about as common as a blue moon: Once and a while and slightly disturbing. But to many young adults this book has been a liberation of inner thoughts. The book conveys to readers a raw bitter humor that is captivating to those who are willing to accept it. The written dynamic is amusing and biting, but serves its bigger purpose; to explain the thought process of an individual. While many literary works for young adults tend to focus on the developement of plot, and scenery, this one focuses on the emotional combat within. Readers see the world through the eyes of Melinda, who's observations allow readers to see her charactor through what she sees and does not see.
While the book seems 'pointless' to some, the colorful and interesting short vignettes weave onto a larger purpose. While the book has no real climactic point, in some opinions... the tension and wit is held consistant throughout the novel.
I recommend this book to parents and teens who are social outcasts, or have been rape victims. At times it was painful, to understand what it is like to relive the nightmare. but the book is liberating to personal demons i have had. and i recommend the book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: best book I've ever read
Review: I first heard about this book because my best friend had to read it over the summer. She told me it was very good and so I read it. It is now my favorite book. I couldn't believe how realistic it was, it was almost as if this actually happened. In this book a girl named Melinda is a teenage outcast. She is pretty much always silent and at first you don't really know why. This book is amazing and I loved the ending. Ity is definetely worth whatever you have to pay for it. I would recommend it for kids almost 12 and up.

Rating:
Summary: Speak
Review: I read this book when I was thirteen, and it made a huge impact on me. It manages to be clever and insighful at the same time. Melinda is an immensely likeable character. My favorite part was when she explained the makeup of high school characters in biting detail. Her satirical and witty narration is the best part of the book. And her triumph will make you want to cheer. This is a great book for young teenagers.

Rating:
Summary: REALLY REALLY REEEAAALLLY GREAT!
Review: hello!
This book is so good, although it is boring in the begging it gets SOOO good, and i think every one in the world should read this book! (but who cares what i think? lol just kiddin)
Anyways,it has GREAT ending and it is so good some one should make a movie outta it. Heck, they should write a song about it too.
well, just do yourself a favor and read the freakin book.
:D

Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 stars!!
Review: "Wow..." was the first word I said after finishing this great book. This book was one of the best coming-of-age novels I've read in a long time. Melinda Sordino (main character) rocks!! It's about a teenager, Melinda, just starting her freshman year in high school with a terrible beginning. In the summer, she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops because an older senior boy raped her at the party. But nobody knows that except Melinda so everyone hates her, even her best friend. Now Melinda has to fight her demons and speak the truth. But will it turn out all right? Find the answer to this question and a couple more when you pick up Speak.

Rating:
Summary: finally a book that could actually happen
Review: this is one of my favorite books. This book actually shows what life if like its not one of those, girl starts out fine, something truly horrendus happens (breaks up with boyfriend or gets a zit before prom), and then girl finds guy of her dreams and everything is happy again. those kind of books annoy me because nothing ever works out like that at least not for me. I love how despite all that's happened melinda can still make jokes. my favorite is the 10 lies they tell you in high school because its soooo true. if you havnt read this book read it you will be glad you did

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Novel
Review: Melinda Sordino busted an end-of the summer party in her 8th grade year when she called the police. Because of this, she does not have any friends and has been disliked by all who were at the party. No one knows the real truth behind her phone call except herself. The truth, that she was raped by Andy Evans, a senior who was also at the party, and that she made the phone call to the police to tell them what had happened, but was unable to explain her situation to them. As time goes on, Melinda becomes very isolated and practically stops talking all together. It is not until Melinda starts to be concerned about the well-being of her ex-best friend Rachel, who is dating Andy, that she finally reveals that Andy had raped her at the end-of the summer party. When Rachel becomes aware of this, she confronts Andy about it and dumps him, only for Andy to become enraged that Melinda had told Rachel he raped her. Andy then decides to attack Melinda once again. This time, Melinda is able to find the strength and courage in herself to fight back and show Andy that she will no longer be pushed around.
The story is sending out the message to not be afraid of who you are and to believe in yourself. It also says to not be afraid of expressing your emotions and letting others know how you feel. I believe this to be very true in life. Melinda let fear succumb her until she realized that she needed to take control of her life and let her emotions out. Reading this book gave me a better perspective on life and that a person should always believe it is possible to overcome what seems impossible.