Speak in Around the World in 80 Books

Sep 04, 2017 Jean-Marie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, realistic-fiction

I think Laurie Halse Anderson (Seeds of America series, The Impossible Knife of Memory) is one of the better youth literature authors of our time. Her writing is superb. She manages to turn poignant, controversial, and taboo themes into stories of determination and hope for young readers. Although this book was published nearly 20 years ago, it is just as topical today as it was then. David Petrakis challenging Mr. Neck's thoughts on immigration in social studies class could be happening in any ...more

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Jun 30, 2010 Sunflower rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, fiction-read-2010

I would never have read this book but for a reading challenge. Four stars for being (in my opinion) a great YA book. Written with humour -some bits were just hilarious examples of just how a girl that age would express herself. She covers everything from where to sit on the school bus, to describing the teachers (The Neck and Hairwoman), what's really going on inside her head during algebra, how to get out of shopping with her mother at the Mall....but underneath it is a serious problem and her ...more

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Jul 11, 2010 Laura (booksnob) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010, young-adult, printz-award

Let me introduce you to Melinda. She is entering her first year of high school, she has no friends and has lost her ability to really speak her mind. Over the summer she attended a party and things got out of hand. Melinda called the police and as a result lost her way of life. She is trying to navigate 9th grade amidst the chaos of high school cliques, failing grades, a secret and her inability to SPEAK. To read my full review go to my blog at http://www.booksnob-booksnob.blogspot... ...more

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Jan 24, 2015 Andy Plonka rated it really liked it

Shelves: src

Once I got past the teenage angst part, the author had a good message for teens and others in coping with relationship problems that seem insurmountable, but are lessons in how to cope with real life.

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Nov 12, 2012 Susan rated it really liked it

Still as good as I remember, the author has a great insight into the mind of a teenager.

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Sep 27, 2021 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: to-read-own

Powerful, heartbreaking, familiar. I’ve meant to read this book for years but only now felt brave enough. It is a sad but important story that every human should read. Oof.

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