Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The young adult novel Speak by award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson is a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. This tragic story follows fourteen-year-old Melinda Sordino through her freshman year of high school. Told from a first-person point of view, Melinda bares her soul to readers in diary-like anecdotes of how her life has been affected after being raped by an upperclassman during an illicit party just prior to the beginning of the school year. Frightened and confused, Melinda calls the police after the attack, causing an uproar among her peers who think the purpose of her call was to bust the party. Now, her high school career just beginning, Melinda is a social pariah and exile in the eyes of every student.

While I see the merits of this book, it didn't really resonate with me. Being published in 1999, the topic of rape didn't really have a presence in young adult literature. In terms of bringing these kinds of instances to light, I can see why it would have been nominated for an award given for promoting reading among teens, inspiring readership, and recognizing the importance of the topic it covers. The protagonist, Melinda, is certainly witty in describing the details of her life and struggle, but I think it was the overall writing style and lack of momentum in the book that made it seem a bit boring to me. There is some dynamic to Melinda, but it is a long time in coming with change happening at the pace of a snail. Overall, a book that is worth having checked as "read" on your shelves, but may be a struggle for readers who enjoy a faster paced storyline and a more descriptive writing style.