Rating: 
Summary: The Truth was let out
Review: The story begins when a friendless young, Melinda Sordino,starts Merryweather High School. Melinda has no friends becauseduring the past summer she went to a party in a barn with lots ofolder kids and alcohol. While still at the barn, Melinda called thepolice and reported the party. No one knows the real reason why shecalled the police except Melinda and someone she calls IT. Now,everyone hates her and no one will talk to her or even look at her.Finally, Melinda meets a new girl named Heather, who is perfect inevery way, but not perfect for Melinda. They are two totallydifferent people but Melinda will become friends with Heather becauseshe is lonely, and there us no one else. The year continues and stilleveryone hates Melinda. This school year Melinda has been failing mostof her classes, and has become mute. The only class she has not beenfailing is Art with Mr. Freeman. Melinda really enjoys the classbecause she can really let go and create. It has become a type oftherapy for her throughout the year. Mr. Freeman is the only teacherthat likes Melinda and enjoys her company. She does not talk toanyone and no one talks to her, not even Heather anymore. Heathertold Melinda that she does not like being with her because she isalways depressed, and Heather made new friends. So now Melinda isreally alone. Melinda's old best friend, Rachel is now going out withAndy, also known as IT. Melinda knows that he is a bad guy, but can'ttell anyone because it is too difficult to put her feelings intowords. So in an attempt to express herself, Melinda sends Rachelanonymous letters telling her that Andy is wicked. Melinda finallygets some courage and walks up to Rachel and tells her the truth....I would definately recommend this book to other teenagers becuaseit is really down to earth and has a good message. Even though it isnot written in my favorite way, the actual story was the best part...
Rating: 
Summary: 15 and older book
Review: It was my first time reading a Laurie Anderson book-Speak. I am in high school and found this book to be so emotional and very true among some teenagers in high school. Melinda is a young teenager, who is an outcast, that faces hardships and peer pressure in life. She gets badly hurt by a young man. We have this problem today, so many young girls are afraid to come forward and tell about what happened to them. In the end, Melinda is free and she is able to talk about her past without guilt and shame. Because of such severity of how life is in this book, I think that teenagers at age 15 and over should only be allowed to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: You told too much
Review: The book was one of my favorites of all time. However, in your review, you told about how she was raped. The author tries to keep that part a mystery, but you gave it away. When I first read it, I had guessed that she was possibly raped, but there was still that need to read on to find out the truth. Now, Amazon.com's review has given that away to all who have not read "Speak" yet....
Rating:
Summary: Finally a Voice of an Outcast
Review: One of the many reasons that I enjoyed this book, is because it really relates to many of the problems that teens are having today in high school. I mean I know I could certainly relate to a few things and the whole "I am an outcast" makes me remember what it was like be alone. Anyway, Andersons main character Melinda is definetly someone that alot of girls (and maybe even some guys) can relate to. I really enjoyed the book and I actually read the whole thing today. It's not a short book, but it's not drawn out and it really makes you want to read to the last page! Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Novel
Review: Going from Junior High, to High School can be a big step. Everyone wants to be apart of that "cool" crowd. People do some something's that they will regret for the rest of their lives. Melinda Sordino, the narrator of this novel, not even has to wait a minute to realize that she's an outcast of Merryweather High, her high school. She even has enemy's, she had busted a high school drinking party by calling the cops. She just wishes she had never gone. Now no one wants to associate with her, except for one new girl. Heather, was the new girl, she wanted to make something out of her high school years, and she found that being friends with Melinda was not the best thing for making friends. Melinda is hurt. Melinda never talks to anyone in the beginning of the novel, she holds back all of her feelings until the end of the novel. At the beginning of the end of the novel, Melinda, explained to everyone what happened at that party, everyone was shocked. Melinda had learned self-respect, and how to stick up for herself. This novel was great. It was almost as if I were Melinda, and I could feel everything as she felt it, I could see everything how she saw it, and I could hear everything as she head it. Its amazing how vicious teenagers can be to each other. Melinda was a "coo kid" in Junior High, but one misunderstanding and she was a loner, and outcast at Merryweather High. This book kept me from page one until the end.
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Summary: Teacher Applauds Writer and Book
Review: I have read this book to a Reading class who echoed numerous times :"We hate reading! It is so boring!" This book was the narrative hook needed to open the eyes of my students. They would beg me to read the whole period. In fact, I had many students ask for the title and author's name, so they could purchase the book and read it themselves. I am currently teaching this novel with my ninth graders and they are finally reading without being asked to do so. It is refreshing to have a writer reach out to adolescents and for them to hear THEIR VOICE. Anderson writes from a ninth grader's point of view.There is humor and sadness..truth in her novel. Melinda is a protagonist many students can relate to and they begin to realize stereotypes exist and can be hurtful. The literary devices are evident and really make an impact in the classroom. I also enjoyed having my students predict as they read and look for symbols in the text. I will continue to explore similar texts for my high school readers (or should I say..non-readers)!
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Summary: The best new book I've read for awhile...
Review: Speak is great book -- not only is the story compelling and interesting, but the author's portrayl of high school is so close to the truth, at some points I thought she went to my high school. There's not that much that I can say about it, because I don't want to give it away. But it's an excellent book, and anyone whose ever gone to high school, felt lonely or frustrated should read it!
Rating:
Summary: Speak
Review: Speak is one of the best books I have ever read. Nothing compares to it. Melinda has so much to say but is too afraid too say it, but with one word she has her life back again. I was surprised when I read it because the author could compare such a dark reality with an everyday event like a party. Everyone thinks this can't happen but, it does. Melinda at first thinks that IT is her fault but it's not. She knows that IT happened and she can't change it but she doesn't have to suffer anymore.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: My english teacher read this book to us everyday, and I never wanted him to stop. It was a great book and always made you wonder what really happened to Melinda. I don't really enjoy reading or being read to, but this book made me want to read it and that doesn't really happen to often. So go out and buy the book, it's great to see how high school students really feel about high school.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Anderson's unique style and structure makes this book a great read. I have used this book to encourage my students to read, and they love it. One girl I tutor told me she loved this book--her favorite. She said that the book is very realistic. She likes Melinda--the protagonist. Anderson weaves this tale of a depressed ninth grader and really captures the way teenagers think. She is right on when it comes to friendships, the school itself, teachers, grades, the lunchroom, gym class, extracurricula activities, etc. The novel itself is divided into marking periods! Totally clever. I love the groups: the jocks, the country clubbers, Idiot Servants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, the Marthas, Big Hair Chix, etc. Applause for this wonderful writer who has given younger readers something to motivate them to read more. I just ordered her new book "Fever 1793."
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