Speak

Description

A fiercely authentic, critically acclaimed and award-winning modern classic. 'Speak up for yourself - we want to know what you have to say.' From my first day at Merryweather High, I know this is a lie. Nobody will even talk to me, let alone listen - all because I called the cops on an end-of-summer party. But if I could only tell everyone why I called the police that night... If I could explain what happened to me... If I could speak... Then everything might change. 'With the rise of women finding their voices and speaking out about sexual assault in the media, this should be on everyone's radar... Powerful, necessary, and essential.' - Kirkus

Laurie Halse Anderson grew up in Syracuse, New York, and now lives in Pennsylvania with her two daughters. The author of three picture books, 'Speak' was her first novel. Widely reviewed, it was a National Book Award finalist in the States, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, as well as winning the 1999 Golden Kite Award, given by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Both 'Speak' and 'Fever 1793' are listed in the Publishers Weekly Fiction Top Ten titles for May 2002.

A stunning first novel... Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain and holds readers' empathy. The book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired. -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Nails the high school experience cold. An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last. -- THE HORN BOOK The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget. -- KIRKUS REVIEWS 'Strong and searching novels that cover very difficult scenarios...The humanity of the protagonist really shines through in the expert characterisation and writing, making these novels really challenge the reader's empathy. I would strongly recommend these stark and thought provoking titles.' -- The Bookseller, 13th April 2001 'Anderson has produced an outstanding book which invites the reader's admiration and empathy ! The power of Speak to evoke a positive response in spite of harrowing realism lies in Anderson's poetic prose and witty first person narration.' -- BfK, July 2001 'Highly recommended.' -- THE SCOTSMAN