Speak

Speak is already considered a classic, appearing in high school classrooms across the country. After reading it, it's easy to see why. This is a short, easy to read book that speaks powerfully about depression and isolation. It's specific in a way that makes it very easy to relate to.

The story follows Melinda through her freshman year of high school. Shortly before the year began, she was abandoned by all of her friends. She enters the year as a pariah, shunned by nearly the entire student body. This, coupled with her parents' neglect, causes her to retreat into herself. She doesn't speak unless it's necessary. She doesn't engage with her classes or her teachers. She's just trying to survive, to get through high school and out the other side where things will hopefully be better.

Of course, four years is an awfully long time. Especially for a teenager. As the book progresses, she starts to find small ways to move forward, to heal from the trauma she experienced the summer before high school began.

Melinda's journey is powerful, and one that clearly resonates with a lot of people. It resonated with me, even though I only experienced the barest sliver of what she goes through, and that was half a lifetime ago. It's definitely going on my shelf to be recommended with abandon in future years.

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