Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Year Published:1999
Publisher:Viking Penguin
ISBN: 0142407321
Pages: 197
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Drama
Interest Level: 7-12
Reading Level: 5
Subjects: High school, School stories, Rape

Reader's Annotation: Melinda Sordino gets raped during a summer party. She reported the party to the police and gets rejected by her friends. She finds her voice in the arts with the help of her art teacher and friend.

Summary: Melinda Sordino becomes a selective mute as she enters high school. She has been ostracized by her friends for calling the police on one of the summer parties. She finds support and comfort in her art teacher and friend, David Petrakis. Melinda finds her voice to speak about her traumatic summer experience. She learns to cope after being raped.

Reviews and Awards: ALA Best Book For Young Adults, ALA Booklist, ALA/YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Michael Printz Honor, Publishers Weekly, Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Wilson's High School Catalog, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author Information: www.laurieanderson.com