Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, begins with a high school freshman girl who has become a social outcast overnight. Something traumatic has happened, something she won't talk about, and she gradually just stops talking at all and withdraws almost completely from life. The book is written in first person, diary-like fashion. It's compelling reading and I was drawn in, trying to determine what happened to this poor girl.
It looks as though this is a first novel from this author. She speaks from her heart, partially from her own teenage experience. The passion of angst and rejection comes through strongly and I couldn't put the book down, even with a killer migraine. Yes, I liked this book. I've handed it off to my 14 year old girl, who is in the middle of other books for school (okay, Wuthering Heights is only because she wanted to. Okay, Wuthering Heights is because Bella and Edward kept quoting it in Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
So, if you're a mother of teens or pre-teens, or the grandmother of teens or pre-teens, I recommend picking up this book, reading it first yourself, then handing it off. And please discuss the book with said child afterward. The topic is weighty. But well worth the time and your relationship with your teen.
Until I write again ...
Flea
4 comments:
One more to add to the list. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thank you - finally. ;) I'm glad that you enjoyed it, and I hope everyone who reads your blog picks it up. And I'll look for Twilight when I get back from Mama and Daddy's. Love ya cuz!
I just got done reading this one and I have to say it's very good. I'm going to keep this on my list for when my little one gets older.
Thanks for the recommendation!
You're welcome. I'm glad my cousin read it first. :)
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