Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak is a sad, but true coming of age story about a young girl that had the whole world before her. In a tragic turn of events, Melinda Sordino retreats within herself, at times refusing to talk for days. After being abandoned by all her middle school friends, she soon herself during her freshman year with a lukewarm friend, failing all her classes, skipping school, withdrawing from the world around her and staying silent the whole time. Yet, in art class she finally has the ability to express herself without needing to open her mouth. Over time, glimpses of what happen are revealed. At a party right before school started, Melinda and her friends went to a party where she was raped. In her terrified state she called the police who came and arrested many of the party goers. Her friends abandoned her and leave her without knowing the truth. Near the end of the school year, her attacker finds her in a closet and after a struggle, he attempts to do it again. This time, Melinda does not remain quiet, she screams and doesn't stop until help arrives. After the truth is revealed, she begins to open up more and be more accepted by the rest of the student body. She is able to finish her final art project and begin to open up.

The book is extremely well written from the perspective of Melinda. While at times, we don't exactly know her emotional state we do know what she is thinking and why she is thinking it. It's a different perspective because she names things just how she views them, such as naming students based on their attributes. It's written in short chapters so it makes the reader feel as though they are quickly reading through the book. The vocabulary is simple and typical of an everyday teenager. However, it doesn't make the book feel as though it is set in a particular time period. It could easily be from one generation to the next without feeling dated. Each main section ends with her report card of her real grades as well as other expectations she feels are graded in high school. During the difficult and trying times, it's easy to see how her grades and mindset plummet and are in disrepair. But as she is released from her secret she is now able to open up more and also express her self through her artwork easily. It's really a great and trying story that is inspirational and help teens going through a difficult time. While the story does have a dark twist, it is not the overall tone of the book, allowing the reader to sympathize with the character but not fall into that same mindset.