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Speak: The Graphic Novel by [Laurie Halse Anderson, Emily Carroll]

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Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak: The Graphic Novel Kindle Edition

by Laurie Halse Anderson (Author), Emily Carroll (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

437 ratings

Editors' pick Best Young Adult

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The critically acclaimed, award-winning, modern classic Speak is now a stunning graphic novel.

"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 fat 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, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. Through her work on an art project, she is finally able to face what really happened that night: She was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. With powerful illustrations by Emily Carroll, Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak: The Graphic Novel comes alive for new audiences and fans of the classic novel.

This title has Common Core connections.

Reading age

12 - 18 years
Print length

384 pages
Language

English
Grade level

7 - 9
Lexile measure

GN550L
Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication date

February 6, 2018
Page Flip

Not Enabled
Word Wise

Not Enabled
Enhanced typesetting

Not Enabled
ISBN-13

978-0374300289
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up—Melinda is already a pariah on her first day as a freshman at Merryweather High. She involved the police in an end-of-summer party, and now everyone shuns her. Unable to tell anyone what actually happened at the party, Melinda withdraws more and more into herself. Rarely speaking, ditching classes, and ignoring school assignments, she spirals downward into apathy and depression. One of the few people to reach her is her art teacher, who helps her express with art what she has so deeply and painfully buried. This potent retelling of the modern classic Speak blends words and images to create magic: a new representation of a teen whose voice is ripped from her, the battles she must wage to find it again, and the triumph of finally being able to speak out. Carroll's grayscale artwork perfectly depicts the starkness of Melinda's depression through strong ink lines and striking panels that rely on pencil and charcoal textural effects for the backgrounds. The characters are distinct and the action flows naturally; it is amazing how closely this version evokes the style and feeling of the original. The dialogue is pulled directly from the novel and enhances the progression of the story and of Melinda's emotions. VERDICT This gripping, powerful work will introduce Speak to a brand-new audience and enthrall longtime fans. Admirers of Carroll's Through the Woods will also appreciate this timeless tale.—Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Review

Praise for SPEAK: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL:

*A School Library Journal Best Book of 2018*
*2018 Booklist Youth Editors' Choice*
*A YALSA Great Graphic Novel Reading List Selection*
*A YALSA Teens' Top Ten List Selection*
*A 2019 Amelia Bloomer Best Feminist Book for Young Readers*
*A 2019 Amelia Bloomer Top Ten Book*
*A Quill & Quire Best Kids' Book of 2018*
*A 2019 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Selection*
*The EBSCO See-It Award Winner!*
*An ILA Young Adult Reading List Selection*
*A Kids' Comics Award Nominee*
*Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Winner*

"Carroll, well-known for her horror comics, does an excellent job of bringing the vignettes of Anderson’s novel to the graphic format. With spellbinding artwork, this exceptional adaptation masterfully does justice to its source material while adding new depth and nuance." ―Booklist starred review

"This potent retelling of the modern classic Speak blends words and images to create magic: a new representation of a teen whose voice is ripped from her, the battles she must wage to find it again, and the triumph of finally being able to speak out. Carroll’s grayscale artwork perfectly depicts the starkness of Melinda’s depression through strong ink lines and striking panels that rely on pencil and charcoal textural effects for the backgrounds. The characters are distinct and the action flows naturally; it is amazing how closely this version evokes the style and feeling of the original." ―School Library Journal starred review

"Anderson’s timeless and important tale of high -school sexual assault and its aftermath undergoes a masterful graphic novel transformation.Carroll’s stark black-and-white illustrations are exquisitely rendered, capturing the mood through a perfectly calibrated lens. With the rise of women finding their voices and speaking out about sexual assault in the media, this reworking of the enduring 1999 classic should be on everyone’s radar...Powerful, necessary, and essential."―Kirkus starred review

"In this new graphic novel adaptation of Anderson’s Speak (rev. 9/99)―a powerful narrative of a freshman’s year of self-preservation after a brutal sexual assault―artist Carroll starkly renders protagonist Melinda’s pain and healing in black and white, expertly deploying visual perspective and tension to sharpen the emotional impact...Art becomes a means of expression for her, making the graphic novel format especially resonant with the original theme... will give even longtime devotees a new way to experience Melinda’s story. ―Horn Book starred review

"Strong lines, overlapping panels and clever use of blank space show Carroll's skill in creating Melinda's stifling, near-silent world. Speak: The Graphic Novel is hypnotizing and heart-breaking, with the kind of empowering finish that unshackles protagonist and readers alike." ―Shelf Awareness starred review

Praise for the novel SPEAK:

In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. . . . 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

The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn . . . a novel that will be hard for readers to forget. ―Kirkus Reviews, Pointer Review

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 sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers. ―Booklist

-New York Times Bestseller
-Publishers Weekly Bestseller
-Michal L. Printz Honor Book
-National Book Award Finalist
-Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist
-Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
-ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
-ALA Quick Pick
-Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
-Booklist Top Ten First Novel
-BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
-School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

--This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0791K588R
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 2nd edition (February 6, 2018)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 6, 2018
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 121848 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #149,942 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
437 ratings

About the author

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Laurie Halse Anderson

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Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author who writes for kids of all ages. Known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity, her work has earned numerous American Library Association and state awards. Two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists. Chains also earned a spot on the Carnegie Medal Short List.

Laurie received the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the Young Adult Library Services Association division of the American Library Association for her "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature."

Mother of four and wife of one, Laurie lives in Northern New York State, an hour south of the Canadian border, where she likes to watch the snow fall as she writes. Right now she's finishing up her next YA novel and researching Ashes, which will conclude the adventure of Isabel and Curzon that readers enjoyed in her historical novels Chains and Forge.

You'll find loads more information about Laurie and her books on her website: http://madwomanintheforest.com/. You can follow her adventures on Twitter, http://twitter.com/halseanderson, on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/lauriehalseanderson, and on her blog, http://madwomanintheforest.com/blog/.

Customer reviews

5 star		84%
4 star		9%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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A Special Request

Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book is well enjoyed by my daughter. She first got a copy at school and loved it so much she requested for me to buy it. This is a rare request so I did. Love that Amazon had it at a good price and we received it in 2 days. My daughter has already read it an additional 2 times.
The things my daughter says she likes is that it is a graphic novel so there are pictures in it which make reading the book easier and more interesting. She also said that this book isnt good for little kids because some of the language used in it is more for teens. This book has also inspired her to think about writing her own graphic novels and she has already began creating her characters.

4 people found this helpful

Just as haunting, beautiful, and important as the original rendition.

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

“When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.”

I first picked up a copy of Speak at the library some time in the very early 2000s, when I wish I’d been too young to know how the world worked, the ways in which it chewed children up and spat them back out. Sadly, I was one of many children who learned these things early, and Speak made me feel acknowledged. I remember thinking, for the first time, that someone understood me, and I will never, ever let go of the special place that feeling carved out in my heart for this famous little story. When I found out that one of my favorite graphic novel artists was taking it on for a new spin, I had to have it, and I literally sat down to devour it the moment I opened the package.

“I wonder how long it would take for anyone to notice if I just stopped talking.”

Unfortunately, Laurie Halse Anderson speaks from a place of understanding and experience on this topic, but it shines through in how authentic the events of Speak feel. The story not only discusses the ramifications of rape and how Melinda views her attacker now – especially in a scenario when a victim is forced to continue interacting with their abuser – but it also touches on the depression that can come along with the event, and the ways those feelings manifest themselves for many victims: isolation, silence, anger, self-harm, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and apathy for anything in life that isn’t crucial to survival.

“I have never heard a more eloquent silence.”

While the story itself is as wonderful and haunting as it always has been, Emily Carroll’s artwork genuinely takes things to a new level. She manages to depict small things that don’t come across as so important in the text – like Melinda’s nervous tics, or the way she views herself as an endangered rabbit when the vicious wolf (her attacker) is near. When it comes to the heaviest and darkest scenes, Emily manages to convey the hurt and fear without going overboard on graphic depictions. There is one panel, in fact, that is so subtle, but left me breathless because it so perfectly portrays the helpless claustrophobia that comes with facing one’s attacker.

“It happened. There is no avoiding it, no forgetting. No running away, or flying, or burying, or hiding.”

I could tell you, for those of you who haven’t experienced Speak before, that there’s a silver lining, or a lightly humorous subplot to cut through the grime, or a perfectly happy ending, but none of that would be true. Laurie Halse Anderson is too authentic for that. This isn’t a story about a girl who happens to have been raped; this is a book about rape, and the tragic things it can do to a survivor’s psyche. I recommend the utmost caution when proceeding with this story, in its original format or this new graphic novel style, but I also have to say that I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

29 people found this helpful

This graphic novel version of Speak is the absolute best thing that could have happened to this book

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2018

Verified Purchase

I read this book for the first time many years ago and have revisited it periodically because of how much it touched me. This graphic novel version of Speak is the absolute best thing that could have happened to this book. It gave it an edgier and darker feeling, without ever feeling too dark. It updates the novel in a great way and makes it accessible to many more readers in a new generation. I can't even express how wonderful this graphic novel is. Please consider purchasing!

8 people found this helpful

Allison Branscombe

Even better than the original!

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2019

Verified Purchase

This version in graphic novel format is even more an more compelling, haunting, and convincing portrayal of the after effects of date rape. It painfully shows how the inattention of parents and friends feeds into the isolation and downward spiral of Melinda. The artwork draws the reader in to Melinda’s struggle in a stark, relatable way.

4 people found this helpful

Great book for young people dealing with pain and use art to cope

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2020

Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my daughter because she told me it's her favorite book, and wanted me to read it. She had a copy from the library, so perfect Christmas gift.

I read this book within a few hours. It's a great story for anyone who has ever been sexually assaulted. It's also a great story about dealing with pain through artwork. And I love that the last two pages are filled with resources for women and girls who have been sexually assaulted.

My daughter hasn't been sexually assaulted, but I was as a child, and she loves expressing herself through art, so I can see why she loves it, and why she wanted me to read it.

They also made a movie from this book, which I also ordered, and am really looking forward to watching it with her.

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is a great story. The cadence is strong. The storyline is perfectly paced, and the character is three dimensional. It's a deep swim into the mind of Melinda. She's trying to fit in at school....or is she? She has a secret that is strongly affecting her. You will be in awe as it all unravels!

Nichole Folkman

Do you also need the graphic novel version? Yes. Yes, you do.

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is very true to the original. And yet the artistry adds so much. I'm glad that new readers of this book have the opportunity to access it another way. Definitely worth the purchase and the read. Adding it to my classroom collection tomorrow.

3 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

I personally loved this book more than the traditional version. I felt that the graphic novel gave it a lot more life. If you enjoyed Speak, I definitely recommend it! Though, you may also like it if you're a fan of contemporary stories and/or graphic novels.

Top reviews from other countries

Eva

Worth it!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2018

Verified Purchase

Loved the novel and just had to get the graphic version. It didn't disappoint.

Cal Peter

Powerful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2019

Verified Purchase

Messaging is powerful and made even more so in graphic novel format. Showing an example reaches out to more people in a time when behaviour such as this is rampant.

B G

This will forever be one of my favourite books and when I saw that it was being ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2018

Verified Purchase

This will forever be one of my favourite books and when I saw that it was being made into a graphic novel I have never hit preorder faster. It’s such an important coming of age story and the illustrations just 100% add to it.

polly

Good book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2018

Verified Purchase

Brought for a friend she loved it

Fiona N.

It’s a comic not a book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2019

Verified Purchase

Huge disappointment- first Kindle purchase and was not expecting what is essentially a comic book

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Laurie Halse Anderson
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Laurie Halse Anderson
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