One of TIME Magazine's Best YA Books of All Time One of Cosmopolitan Magazine's 125 Best YA Books Everyone Should Read, Regardless of Age "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, 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., "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, Speakwill 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 A Michal L. Printz Honor Book A National Book Award Finalist An Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist A Los Angeles TimesBook Prize Finalist Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults An ALA Quick Pick A Publishers WeeklyBest Book of the Year A BooklistTop Ten First Novel A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book A School Library JournalBest Book of the Year A Horn BookFanfare Title A New York TimesBestseller A Publishers WeeklyBestseller, New York Times Bestseller National Book Award Finalist For Young People's Literature Michael L. Printz Honor Book Publisher Weekly Bestseller Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist 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 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year School Library Journal Best Book of the Year California Young Reader Medal Golden Kite Award Winner 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, 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, A National Book Award Finalist A Michael L. Printz Honor Book An Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award An ALA Quick Pick and Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Booklist Top Ten First Novel A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book A Horn Book Fanfare Title Winner of eight state book awards, Finalist for eleven, An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last., 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., "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, One of TIME Magazine's Best YA Books of All Time "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, 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., "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 A Michal L. Printz Honor Book A National Book Award Finalist An Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults An ALA Quick Pick A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A Booklist Top Ten First Novel A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Horn Book Fanfare Title A New York Times Bestseller A Publishers Weekly Bestseller, 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.