Speak
“I wonder how long it would take for anyone to notice if I just stopped talking.”
A 1999 finalist for the National Book Award in Young People’s Literature, Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak commands space on every bookshelf—and should be rightfully restored in all classroom curriculums.
Some context…
After calling the cops at a summer party, Melinda Sordino enters freshman year with a target on her back. Dropped by her friends and exiled by strangers, she is suffocated by hatred. As the cruelty overpowers her, she begins to give up on school, family, and life altogether. She stops speaking entirely. Unfortunately, it’s no safer in her head—there, she can’t hide from her shame, loneliness, or memories. She can’t escape the night that altered her world forever. If she continues this way, she’ll be destroyed from the inside out. Eventually, she will have to face her beast and reveal the truth—and there will be no going back.
Some thoughts…
Rather than relying solely on reactive approaches, institutions need to implement preventative measures against sexual assault, and discussions around the issue are one of the most significant places to start. Through Melinda’s behavior, Anderson teaches students, faculty members, and parents how to recognize the signs of trauma. Additionally, she not only provides a space for survivors to feel understood but encourages them to share their stories. Although conversations around sexual assault can be uncomfortable and difficult, they are essential for the safety and well-being of communities everywhere—especially impressionable student bodies.
While the subject matter is enough to make the book a powerhouse, I found the voice to be the novel’s greatest craft element. Anderson brilliantly captures the internal and external dialogues of high schoolers, implementing subtle tone changes depending on the scene’s location and cast. From pep rallies to childhood bedrooms to embarrassing classroom confrontations, readers see Melinda face every kind of “friend,” teacher, bully, and more.
In the back of the text, Anderson comments on book bans: “Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.” Many people would be surprised by the number of classics that have been subject to these restrictions, including The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Outsiders, and even the Harry Potter series. I applaud Anderson for challenging censorship, making it clear that young people cannot grow in darkness. Instead of hiding the truths and possibilities of the world, we must offer adolescents the necessary tools to confront their hardships with the same courage and awareness they use to embrace their blessings.
Groundbreaking in its depiction of sexual assault and trauma in the lives of teenagers, Speak is a transformative novel with the capacity to not only educate young adults but reach far beyond them as well.
RATING: ★★★★★
