SPEAK (up)- Laurie Halse Anderson

Hello! I'm posting a review for Speak today in honor of SPEAKing Loudly against book banning!


Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Author website: www.halseanderson.livejournal.com
Wesley Scroggins views on Speak
Rating (1-5): 5
Cover: 4
Description: Melinda Sordino busted an end-0f-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate he from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's no safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth. This extraordinary first novel has captured the imaginations of teenagers and adults across the country.



This book is insanely powerful. Melinda is one of the bravest characters I have ever met. Her will for her own life and safety amazes me. Not many teens would call 911 to bust up a party knowing the consequences. But, she did it for her own safety. This entire book from cover to cover is powerful. I'm not a parent, but I think this a wonderful story to teach teenagers about rape and the power of overcoming it. This novel brought tears to my eyes and I can't imagine a more powerful story.


I believe teens have come forth about their own sexual abuse because of this strong story. I know I will be reading it for years to come. Banning this book is insane and ludicrous. I understand that this story may be for a little older teens, but that is the parent to decide. I firmly believe taking this book away will do more harm than good. A young kid suffering from child abuse may be looking for some glimmer of hope like this book that promises them that they aren't alone. And, it is okay to come forward. It is okay to take back control of your life.


Scroggins claims this book to be "soft pornography." I can't even begin to describe just how wrong this is. For a man to compare PORN to RAPE must be certifiably insane. Some consider porn enjoyable, and watch or read it for their own pleasure, but rape is not pleasurable or enjoyable. I think he must just be a bored man looking to cause commotion in a community, because I don't believe any parent would truly want their kids not to read. I think they would be proud that they are actually reading while so many of their peers are doing much worse things than reading Speak, Twenty Boy Summer, or Slaughter House Five.



Don't forget to check out my contest to win a signed book!