Speak

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.

Rating:
Summary: Both Good and Bad
Review: Speak had both its good and bad moments. There were many slow parts during the book that seemed to be un-important to the story but at the same time built more background for the basis of Miranda's character. Speak had many funny and compelling moments and was a worthwhile book.

Rating:
Summary: Speak is wonderful
Review: I had to read speak as a summer reading book and i thought it was amazing. Laurie Halse Anderson did a very good job in the characters, story, description. I couldn't put the book down, it was excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Journey from light to darkness and back to light
Review: Laurie Halse Anderson writes a compelling novel about a teenage girl who suffered a rape at the hands of a popular guy at school. Melinda Sordino was raped at the end-of summer party with her friends. When she calls the police, they bust up the party, yet Melinda is unable to speak of the tragedy she had endured. Her friends think she has betrayed them and Melinda spends the next school year as an outcast. Slowly but surely she works through the pain and is finally able to confess what had happened to her when her ex-friend starts dating the rapist. This powerful story of a teenage girl's journey back to the light after much suffering will capture the heart of the reader. Melinda's courage and ultimate triumph over her demons will leave the reader cheering through tears. Anderson captures the heart-wrenching harshness of Melinda's struggle for acceptance of her peers and her self.

Rating:
Summary: Teen issues that affected freshman Melinda Sordino
Review: Melinda was a outgoing girl until one night she went to a party with her friend Rachel. At the party Rachel gets raped. She inadvertly calls the cops and now is ostersized from her friends and other students at school.
At school, Melinda is affected by teen issues, such as coping with the rape, socialization of peers, family life at home, and fitting in. The first part of the book deals with Melinda not speaking to gradually voiceing at the end. I can see the symbolism of the tree assignment along with the dead tree in her yard, to relating to Melinda's struggle to be accepted and to survive every day life at school and home. When Melinda finally can draw the tree in art class and the dead tree at her home is destroyed, then I see Melinda's character doing the same. She has the courage to finally stand up to IT (Adam) and overcome or deal with that part of her life.
I recommend this book to teens who are seaching for identity or have issues that they need to overcome. Melinda's character is true of today's youth who struggle with teen issues at home and school. Learning how to deal with it is the answer.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This is a powerful book detailing the life of Melinda Sordino and her first year of high school. In her life, though, the normal trials and tribulations of starting at Merryweather High are compounded because she is harboring a horrible secret. She shares this with no one because she feels that there is no one who will listen. Her parents are not fit to be called parents, and the teachers, she feels, are out to get her from day one. The only exception is Mr. Freeman, the art teacher, who encourages her to grow in herself.

This story shows the downward spiral Melinda falls into as she is ostrasized by her peers and the one new person she thought was her friend. You will find yourself thinking throughout the story, "Why doesn't she just TELL someone?" But who could she tell?

This book is a must read for girls, of course, but in addition, it would be wonderful for teachers of young adults. Do you fit into the teacher descriptions Melinda gives? Would YOU care enough to find what was wrong with Melinda?

Rating:
Summary: Don't Pass This One Up!
Review: Anderson's rite of passage novel, Speak, speaks volumes to young female teenagers who have experienced being alienated by their peers.

Melinda Sordino and her friends are invited to a high school party the summer before her freshman year . . . Imagine their excitement to be invited to a senior party! Only, something terrible happens . . . Melinda calls the cops . . . and the entire Merryweather High School loathes Melinda . . . but do they have the full story?

Laurie Halse Anderson masterfully intertwines psychology and sarcastic humor, demonstrating just how vicious and lonely depression can be. Melinda embarks in a lonesome journey to find a semblance of her old self.

This novel offers teens much more than the usual feel-good read, showing realism and the struggle to belong in a harsh environment. This is a must-read!

Rating:
Summary: Alone and afraid
Review: Have you ever felt all alone in this world? No one to talk to, to confide in, to pal around with? Melanie is in that situation now. Something horrible has happened to her. Something so bad that she won't speak. What is it? Why won't she tell anyone? Experience Melanie's long road back to happier times as she struggles through her freshman year following a devasting party the previous summer. You'll be embarassed, afraid, worried, and scared as you follow her through the halls of Merryweather High, but in the end you will rejoice with her in her triumph. I highly recommend this book for teens and for teachers, who will view high school life from a different perspective.