SPEAK

Anderson, L. H.  (1999). Speak.  NY:  Penguin

Summary:  Melinda Sordino's life suddenly changes when she becomes the outcast in her own school.  Not knowing how to react when in trouble she calls the cops on her friends end-of-the-year summer party.  Her friends don't know why she choose to do that and decide to unfriend her and ignore her.  Melinda's traumatizing event makes her not want to speak about it with anyone, and some might say she decided to become mute by choice.  Not feeling safe anywhere she looks for "refuge" in an old custodian's closet at her school.  Melinda's way to deal with her traumatizing event will one day be discovered and she will definitely have to tell her truth, but will anyone believe her is always haunting her.

Strengths of the Book:  Even though this book is a banned book, I believe it can be used to teach students that just because they are going thru a tough time it won't last forever.  Students need to seek for help when in trouble and SPEAK up no matter the situation.  The reality of life is scary, but being as transparent with our students might make them become stronger and ready for the reality and toughness of life.

Teaching Ideas: 

• Teachers can use this novel to allow students to speak about "taboo" issues that might not be considered appropriate to speak of.  An example can be discussion groups, or even in writing reflections.
• Teachers can use this novel to teach about sexual prevention and or rape.  That it's ok to say "NO."
• Teachers can discuss possible themes and create a poster, video, or power point where the students can share their themes that surround this book for example:  student cliques, sex, parental relationships, trauma, hardships, and even suicide.
• The possibilities for this book are endless. 

• Author: Laurie Halse Anderson Website

• Author Speaks about "SPEAK"

AWARDS: 

National Awards

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

ALA Top-10 Best Book for Young Adults

ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults

Edgar Allan Poe Award finalist

IRA Young Adult Choice

Junior Library Guild Selection

Michael L. Printz Honor Book (American Library Association)

National Book Award Finalist

New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

New York Times Bestseller List

SCBWI Golden Kite Award

YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults

State Awards

Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award runner-up

California Young Reader Medal nominee

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee (Maryland)

Garden State Teen Book Award (New Jersey)

Iowa Teen Book Award nominee

Heartland Award (Kansas)

Kentucky Bluegrass Award

Maud Hart Lovelace Youth Reading Award nominee (Minnesota)

Teen Three Apples Award nominee (New York)

2005 New York Reads Together Book

Carolyn W. Field Award (Pennsylvania)

Pennsyvania Young Readers Choice Young Adult List

Rhode Island Teen Book Award nominee

South Carolina Young Adult Book Award

Volunteer State Young Adult Book Award (Tennessee)

Tayshas High School Reading List (Texas)

Evergreen Young Adult Book Award (Washington)

Sequoya Book Award (Oklahoma)

Young Reader’s Award Nominee (Nevada)

Bookseller and Media Recognition

Booklist Editors’ Choice

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book

Fanfare, The Horn Book’s Honor List

Los Angeles Times Award finalist

Publishers Weekly Bestseller

Booklist Top 10 First Novels (1999)

Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year (1999)

Other Books by the Author: