Very good book. I like it. It's a little iffy for me, but it's good.
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Speak
(1999, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Laurie Anderson)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A devastatingly painful portrayal of high school.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–16
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Sex :
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Speak
Parents need to know that Melinda's antisocial behavior is a response to trauma, but her refuge in art will nurture readers' creativity. Readers must meld short descriptive passages to form the narrative. Accurate descriptions of the minutiae of high school will appeal to any teen who has felt like an outsider. Melinda's pain and ultimate hope for healing is described honestly and compassionately.
Read our full review by Norah Caroline Piehl
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about outsiders. Have you ever felt excluded like Melinda? How did you deal with the situation? Is your school much like the one in the book?
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See all 40 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in New YorkI rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
Ummmmmmm...
Lives in New JerseyI rate this title on for age 11 and give itim not quite sure
This book has a lot of dry, witty humor. It describes highschool in a very dark & depressing way. I think the way Laurie portrays the students is some what realistic. I have read this, and noticed that this book has received quite a number of awards that personally, I don't really think it deserves. It is quite boring and slow moving. I do understand this is the reality of highschool, but why would someone want to spend time reading a novel of this portrayl. I would rather be reading something with more of a story, plot-line, and really I could go on and on but I think you know what I mean now. Thanks for your time - ha.
- Lives in IllinoisI rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
An enthralling yet simultaneously moving experience
Anderson impressively wrote Speak, which centers around Melinda, a typical teen, who is getting herself situated in your average high school. Which includes the sleazy teens, the jocks, the cliques, and the list goes on. Although, she feels pressure setting in when she called the cops at a party, because of a situation that she was in, that occurred. Speak is a highly recommended book from me because Anderson writes at adept and she knows how to go in-depth with characters, without having a bland experience. Speak will make you laugh and cry. A great book that was cleverly written. In case you want to envision the content Speak will contain, I'll tell you the concealed material. For sexual content, (this comment will contain major spoilers) the book deals about a girl that was raped at a party (major spoilers end). There are several discussions about the assault. Melinda talks about sleazy teenagers in high school. For violence, (spoilers reoccur), a girl is assaulted and she is pushed against a sink and she has little blood flowing from her lip (spoilers end). For profanity, the typical high school swearing such as b****, b***s***, b*****, b******, and w****.
- Lives in AlabamaI rate this title on for age 13 and give it
So True To High School
This book perfectly describes High School. Except for the assault. I assume that happens everywhere but not at my school. The cliques...perfect. No one really likes cheerleaders. The jocks are always jerks and the less populars always treat you like a person...(David). The art teacher is always a little out there, and there is always one teacher that hates you no matter what. Melinda is a great character that overcame this event just like any teen probably would. Great Read! I just got the book started around my high school.
- Lives in New YorkI rate this title on for age 11 and give it
My favorite book ever, please read it!!!
Yes, this is my favorite book. Why? Because it is amazing. It is witty, clever, wry, sarcastic, hilarious, hopeful, refreshing, and beautifully written. It is an easy read, but it leaves you with so much after you read it. Speak not only tells a great story, but it helps anyone struggling through high school, and each page has something on it that you will have found yourself thinking before.
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