Use Your Words • Speak

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Publisher: Speak
Publication Date: April 20, 2006
Source/Format: Bought || Paperback

Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't know hate her from a distance. It's no use explaining to her parents; they've never known what her life is really like. The safest place for Melinda to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she admitted it and let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have no choice. Melinda would have to speak the truth.

This book came to my attention thanks to Ginger of GReads! And after having read it, I completely agree with her opinion that this is a powerful book. It sends such a strong positive message despite the difficult issue it tackles, and I think that's truly a gift. 

Melinda Sordino is a character any teen would be able to relate to (and that has happened, based on the extras that came in the back of the book). It is difficult for Melinda to articulate her feelings, leaving her withdrawn and scared. She is only able to truly express herself through her art - and even then, she holds a part of herself back. There is no doubt in my mind that readers will have felt the same way once or twice in their lives - and that is what makes Melinda's story so important.

It was a struggle for me to read this book, if I'm going to be honest with you. I had already guessed at what happened to Melinda, but it was painful for me to watch her go what she went through. My heart broke as I watched her draw in to herself and try to hold it together - it was so, so, so incredibly sad. I was, of course, silently urging her to finally speak and tell her story; it was gratifying to me when she finally did.

SPEAK is a book that deserves to be read by teens of all generations and nationalities. This is not only because I feel like Melinda is someone that readers would be able to understand, but also because it's a well-written account that gives people who are in the same dark place as she is a whole lot of hope.

This review was posted as part of Rewind & Review.

Rewind & Review is a great monthly feature started by Ginger of GReads! and Lisa of Lisa is Busy Nerding. Each month, participants will set aside some "older" titles to read and review on their blogs. This feature is the perfect opportunity to get around to reading that title you've been eyeing for years or that book that's been in your TBR for what feels like forever. For more information, you can visit this post.