Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

“THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGHSCHOOL

1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have time to get to your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.
5. Our football team will win the championship this year.
6. We expect more of you here.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.
 8. Your schedule was created with you in mind.
9. Your locker combination is private.
10. These will be the years you look back on fondly.

TEN MORE LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGHSCHOOL

1. You will use algebra in your adult lives.
2. Driving to school is a privilege that can be taken away.
3. Students must stay on campus during lunch.
4. The new textbooks will arrive any day now.
5. Colleges care more about you than your SAT scores.
6. We are enforcing the dress code.
7. We will figure out how to turn off the heat soon.
8. Our bus drivers are highly trained professionals.
9. There is nothing wrong with summer school.
10. We want to hear what you have to say.”

Speak. There is a reason why this book won two awards. This is one my favorite books of all time, and to think, I discovered it as an assignment for English Class. I actually first picked it up because I completely fell in love with the cover, but in the end I fell head over heels for the writing. The narrator uses sarcastic humour to illustrate the horrors of high school. The book begins - Melinda Sordino is clanless, she is the outcast. Ostracized, peers look upon her in disgust and old friends won’t even talk to her. The majority of the book occurs inside her head, where she’s safe. Melinda is not crazy, something you’d expect from someone who only talks to themselves, she is completely normal. She doesn’t have the dashing looks and bubbly personality that some female protagonists have, but she’s also not a depressed head banger that loves the color black and death metal. She is honest and genuine, qualities that make the story believable. I definitely felt that teens in the same situation could relate to her (I won’t give away any spoilers). Apart from the people trying to tear Melinda down, there are those that attempt to break through – helping her build inner strength and giving her the confidence to speak. I especially loved Mr. Freeman and his randomness, but I still cried at the end during their final conversation. All in all, the book isn’t a difficult read (there is some symbolism, but it’s not too hard to figure out the meaning) and it’s rather short, but the brilliant writing and authenticity of the story is what really won me over. 10/10