From the Bookshelf of Addicted to YA…

Speak

Laurie Halse Anderson

Start date: October 1, 2012

Finish date: October 31, 2012

Discussion: Stand Alone

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the theme book!
Theme: Bullying
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Stand Alone

* Stand Alone- Better Than Revenge
By Bailey · 2 posts · 28 views

last updated Sep 15, 2025 07:03AM

* Stand Alone- Maybe Meant to Be
By Bailey · 3 posts · 30 views

last updated Aug 18, 2025 12:04PM

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What Members Thought

Jun 24, 2017 Aerika rated it really liked it

4.5*

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 22, 2016 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Wow. Just wow. I don't know where to begin. If I had to sum this up in a few words, I would say it's a gender-swapped The Perks of Being a Wallflower. But I hate to do that. Because it is so much more than that. (Also I could easily call The Perks of Being a Wallflower a gender-swapped Speak.) I don't know which one was written first, but I do know that Speak came out in 1999. Which meant it was written a few years earlier, back when I was in high school. And while I was reading (listening. I ha Wow. Just wow. I don't know where to begin. If I had to sum this up in a few words, I would say it's a gender-swapped The Perks of Being a Wallflower. But I hate to do that. Because it is so much more than that. (Also I could easily call The Perks of Being a Wallflower a gender-swapped Speak.) I don't know which one was written first, but I do know that Speak came out in 1999. Which meant it was written a few years earlier, back when I was in high school. And while I was reading (listening. I had an audiobook,) I seriously started to wonder if Ms. Anderson was somehow telepathically getting some of my high school thoughts. Then I came to the conclusion that I wasn't as original as I'd once thought. Then I came to the further conclusion that, "Damn, so many people must have felt about high school how I felt and I wish I would have known." Regardless, I was right back there with the different clicks, struggling to fit in, having recently parted from my Middle School friends and sort of on my own...even without dealing with the trauma that Melinda endured.

Now let's talk about that because...ARRGGGHHH! I don't care when this was written. It is still happening. Andy Beast is Brock Turner. Melinda (eventually) is Emily Doe. It was heartbreaking that she was clearly struggling with something, and no one, not one person thought to ask her, "Melinda, are you okay?" But as frustrating as that was, it probably happens more often than we know.

I feel like Ms Anderson gave a very real and authentic voice to rape. We started not really knowing what happened to Melinda. She was ostracized from her friends (most of the school) for something that happened at a party. Something she needed to explain. And normally, this is a thing I HATE about YA novels. "This really terrible thing happened and I can't talk about it even though I'm the narrator." I started to feel that a smidge when BAM! Ms. Anderson gave us a little bit more. And a little bit more. And then it made sense why we were getting the slow reveal. She managed to handle it perfectly. Along with the symbolism of the tree. A little bit beating us over the head with it, but she showed it in so many ways, it worked.

My only eensy weensy issue was with the ending. (view spoiler) But I also won't hold any grudges.

Everyone should read this book. Boys. Girls. Everyone. Because it is as valid today as it was seventeen years ago, and unfortunately probably will be seventeen years from now. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 13, 2019 Angie Taylor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Fabulous book! Every teenager should read this. Loved it.

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Mar 21, 2010 Kaitlin rated it liked it

Wasn't the greatest book in the world, but if you're looking for a quick easy ready that keeps you interested and you remember the trials and tribulations of high school, this book might be for you.

...more

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