Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
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Speak
(National Book Award Finalist)

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Narrator: Mandy Siegfried

Unabridged: 5 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/19/2026

Synopsis

The groundbreaking National Book Award Finalist and Michael L. Printz Honor Book with more than 3.5 million copies sold, Speak is a bestselling modern classic about consent, healing, and finding your voice."Speak up for yourself—we want to know what you have to say." From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, an outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, Melinda becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether. Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. But this time Melinda fights back—and refuses to be silent.From Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award laureate Laurie Halse Anderson comes the extraordinary landmark novel that has spoken to millions of readers. Powerful and utterly unforgettable, Speak has been translated into 35 languages, was the basis for the major motion picture starring Kristen Stewart, and is now a stunning graphic novel adapted by Laurie Halse Anderson herself, with artwork from Eisner-Award winner E.M. Carroll.Awards and Accolades for Speak:
A New York Times Bestseller
A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book
An Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist
A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
A TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time
A Cosmopolitan Magazine Best YA Books Everyone Should Read, Regardless of Age

About Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages. In 2023, Anderson was named the laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, which is given annually to authors, illustrators, oral storytellers, and reading promoters "for their outstanding contribution to children's and young adult literature." In 2009, Anderson was selected by the American Library Association for the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature." A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship and promote diversity in publishing, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. Mother of four, grandmother of dragons, and wife of one, she lives in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Emma on July 12, 2017

4.5 stars! I think this is a really powerful novel that should be read by so many, especially teens. Speak is a fascinating tale of learning to use your voice when you previously believed it did not matter. The message is one I think all can benefit from and I’m so glad I finally read it. Trigger war......more

Goodreads review by Zoë on October 15, 2017

2017 Reread: I read this for my young adult literature class along with scholastic articles about the book, which added a great new layer to my interpretation of the novel. Original Review: I've owned this book for years and never got around to reading it until yesterday. I'm happy I did because thi......more

Goodreads review by Emily May on March 15, 2019

I didn't think I'd be so gripped by this book but the author captures the pains and troubles of everyday high school life with such honesty and raw emotion that I couldn't help recognising half the characters from my own high school days. There's Rachel, the ex best friend who's had a personality tr......more

Goodreads review by jessica on August 13, 2019

oh goodness me. i dont even want to begin this review because, even though im sticking to my rating, i feel super guilty for rating this so low. but its been awhile since ive read this and i finally feel like i can articulate why this book just isnt for me. firstly, i want to say that the topic of t......more

Goodreads review by V. A Court of Wings and Ruin is NEW ADULT/EROTICA but Goodreads editors won't tell you to include it in the choice awards on December 29, 2017

The following review will touch upon serious topics and under the spoiler section I might hide TMI (too much information) tags. If you don't want to know about my own personal journey don't read because it might be umconfortable and triggering. I'll use strong language. I also want to point out that......more

Quotes

A New York Times Bestseller
A National Book Award Finalist For Young People’s Literature
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book
A Publisher Weekly Bestseller
An Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist
A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
BCCB Blue Ribbon Award Winner
A TIME Magazine Best YA Book Of All Time
A Cosmopolitan Magazine Best Ya Books Everyone Should Read, Regardless Of Age
An ALA Top Ten Best Book For Young Adults
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
California Young Reader Medal
Golden Kite Award Winner
A Booklist Editors' Choice for Youth
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adults
PA Carolyn W. Field Award Winner
Kentucky Bluegrass Award★ “In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. . . . Yet Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain and holds readers' empathy. . . . But the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review★ “An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.” —The Horn Book, Starred Review“A frightening and sobering look at the cruelty and viciousness that pervade much of contemporary high school life, as real as today's headlines. . . . The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn . . . a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.” —Kirkus Reviews, Pointer Review“Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.” —School Library Journal“A story told with acute insight, acid wit, and affecting prose.” —Library Journal“Melinda's voice is distinct, unusual, and very real as she recounts her past and present experiences in bitterly ironic, occasionally even amusing vignettes. . . . Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” —Booklist

Awards

  • BCCB Blue Ribbon Award
  • PA Carolyn W. Field Award
  • Booklist Editors' Choice
  • California Young Reader Medal
  • National Book Awards - Finalist
  • Golden Kite Award Winner
  • School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
  • Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List
  • ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adults
  • Michael L. Printz Award - Honor
  • Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee
  • ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • NYPL Books for the Teen Age
  • Kentucky Blue Grass Award
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