Journal Entry 1 by Seanan from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, May 21, 2004

Melinda has become a high school outcast. The reason? In the middle of a party, she called the police. Nobody's bothered to ask why. Melinda can't speak; her voice jams in her throat. She is going to have to endure a long period of isolation before the truth finally comes out.

Speak is a strong, powerful book about alienation, power, and peer pressure, with a believable main character.

This is a 2000 Printz Honor Book, a 1999 National Book Award Finalist, and an Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist. It was nominated for a number of other awards, as well.

I don't want to say anything more about it, for fear of revealing too much of the plot.  

Journal Entry 2 by Shadie from Easley, South Carolina USA on Friday, July 23, 2004

This book looks very interesting...I will be reading it soon!
Thanks Seanan :) 

Journal Entry 3 by Shadie from Easley, South Carolina USA on Monday, September 27, 2004

A fantastic book. It reminded me of high school days, and the clans that formed there. I was never an outcast but was also never a member of a set clan. I could flow between sets well.
Melinda's silence was deafening. Her artwork opened her heart and allowed healing to begin.
Thank you, Seanan, for sharing this wonderful book with me. 

Journal Entry 4 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Wednesday, December 29, 2004

I'm not sure when this book made it to Danville; I've been on a trip and picked it up at the post office this afternoon. I've been waiting to read this for a very long time! Thanks for starting the ring, Seanan! 

Journal Entry 5 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Tuesday, January 04, 2005

A timeworn plot and stock characters from young adult lit -- BUT. Anderson's writing is elegant and perfect. Here's an example:


"You never think about the mall being closed. It's always supposed to be there, like milk in the refrigerator or God. But it is just opening when I get off the bus. Store managers juggle key rings and extra-large coffees, then the cage gates fly up in the air. Lights wink on, the fountains jump, music plays behind the giant ferns, and the mall is open."

There were unique subplots woven in, such as Rachelle's fascination with Islam. I've been waiting for someone to include that in a YA book! Rachelle would make a good main character for another children's book.

I plan to buy a couple of copies of *Speak* for my middle school library. This one is being mailed to GrammarBroad later today. 

Journal Entry 6 by GrammarBroad from Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA on Friday, January 07, 2005

Arrived today. Thanks. I'm looking forward to reading this. 

Journal Entry 7 by GrammarBroad from Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA on Sunday, January 09, 2005

Flew right through this one. It was great. Thanks for sharing it.

#631 

Journal Entry 8 by GrammarBroad from Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA on Thursday, March 31, 2005

Oh, so sorry I held this up. I read it immediately and thought I had sent it on (I ended up with TWO copies, and I ...). Oh, well. I just messed up. Thanks for letting me play. 

Journal Entry 9 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Received this in the mail today. I plan on reading it soon!
Ruth 

Journal Entry 10 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, November 13, 2005

Finally had the chance to pick up this book- and read it in one sitting- it was that good! It was a powerful observation from one girl's experience, that brought back many memories of my high school years. I didn't realize that my daughter had grabbed this book from my shelf. I ended up finding it in her room. My apologies for holding it so long. She did a book report on it and had also lent it to two different friends! Thanks so much for sharing this book with us! Sending on to goatgrrl as soon as I receive an address! Thanks again!
Ruth 

Journal Entry 11 by petziorso from Bayreuth, Bayern Germany on Tuesday, November 22, 2005

The book arrived at Germany today.
Thanks a lot for sending it! 

Journal Entry 12 by petziorso from Bayreuth, Bayern Germany on Monday, December 05, 2005

I finished this great book today.
I really like the way it is written.
Thanks for this Bookring! 

Journal Entry 13 by Brujula from Valenciennes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais France on Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Received yesterday. Thank you for sending it from Germany, petziorso!
 

Journal Entry 14 by Brujula from Valenciennes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais France on Monday, January 16, 2006

A very good book on adolescence, peer pressure, post-traumatic depression...
And some very funny parts, mixed in with all the drama!
I could hardly put it down!
I'll mail it as soon as I have an adress for the next on the ring!

Thank you for sharing this, Seanan! 

Journal Entry 15 by allbookedup from Wien Bezirk 21 - Floridsdorf, Wien Austria on Friday, February 17, 2006

Received the book today, will read it asap. thanks a lot for sending it to me! 

Journal Entry 16 by allbookedup from Wien Bezirk 21 - Floridsdorf, Wien Austria on Thursday, March 16, 2006

I nearly finished the book and it will be ready to travel off to the next person after the weekend.

jessica hasn't reacted to any of my PMS, so I contacted MyopicMeringue. 

Journal Entry 17 by allbookedup from Wien Bezirk 21 - Floridsdorf, Wien Austria on Thursday, March 23, 2006

I really liked the book, the story was heart touching and in parts very funny.
Thanks so much for sharing!
I am glad I had the chance to participate in this bookring.

I sent the book off to MyopicMeringue yesterday! 

Journal Entry 18 by MyopicMeringue on Tuesday, April 04, 2006

I'd completely forgotten I'd joined this bookring, so it was a lovely surprise to get a PM from allbookedup saying I'm next in the line to read it. :-) It does look very interesting - I think teenage fiction, when it is well-written, is my favourite genre. I'm looking forward to reading it. 

Journal Entry 19 by MyopicMeringue on Friday, July 14, 2006

Gosh - I'm sorry, I thought I'd sent this book on already, and I just found it as I was unpacking my books and realised I didn't! I read it a while ago, and I was impressed. I found it was a really powerful book. The narrator wasn't quite convincing as a teenager - her grasp of things seemed a little too mature - but she had a very distinctive voice, and I enjoyed the satire and the cleverness of it, and how the novel deals with a difficult subject in a deft and moving way, without melodrama.

Oh, I just looked at Seanan's bookshelf page, and I realise that I am the last person in the bookring, so I will now send the book back to Seanan, after PMing for an address. Thank you, Seanan, for sharing this book.