Book Review: SHINE by LAUREN MYRACLE

When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.

Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author.

Description:  Lauren Myracle really knows how to place the reader in the scene.  Her use of description adds an emotional element that I think many attempt  and few achieve.  I mean, the entire opening is description.  Most of the time, that's an immediate turn off for me.  But with Shine, I was drawn in to each beautiful word and found myself yearning for more.  There were times I did feel a little bogged down, but overall, I learned a lot about description with this book. (Score: 9/10)


Narrative:  A lot of Shine happens inside the main character Cat's head.  This made for an emotional read, but sometimes I found myself a little lost in flashbacks.  For the most part, Lauren Myracle, really made the transitions easy but there were a few blips on my radar, especially toward the end.  I am a fast reader and details sometimes escape me, but I really think in this situation it was the style that threw me off.  I can say that I learned about narrative from reading Shine and enjoyed it more often than not. (Score: 8/10)


Dialogue:  Shine is set in the south, so Lauren Myracle really has to depend on dialect.  She does it really well. I found myself lost in the language and even desiring to speak in the drawl of the the characters. (It made my family crazy! LOL) Dialogue is an area of Shine that was very easy to read and enjoyable. I'm not from the south-so maybe I'm not a good judge-but to me,  the conversations felt real and authentic. (Score: 10/10)


Characterization: Cat, the main character, was very well developed as well as Patrick-a sort of absent but still important character.  I really felt I knew them.  The other, secondary characters, sometimes felt vague, contrived and/or predictable.  THAT said-I think it's important to note Shine is written in first person.  That person is troubled with an altered vision of those around her.  She's unreliable.  So, as a novice writer, I'm left to wonder if what I'm feeling toward the secondary characters is what Lauren Myracle intended. Considering how well the book was written, I'm betting this was the case. (Score: 10/10)


Resolution: I didn't like the ending of Shine.  I wanted to like it, but, well, nope, it didn't happen.  I loved the book right up to the "matchbook" clue. (I use this term to avoid a spoiler for those who haven't read it.) At that point, things quickly escalated to outlandish.  All the typical tasks were performed, all loose ends wrapped up, but it didn't feel as authentic as the beginning. (Score: 8/10)

I devoured shine.  I sucked in the words quickly and with tears in my eyes.  So, I really hate to say this, but I was disappointed in the ending.  I believe in love and that it saves all, but in this case it just didn't develop that way.  I also believe in forgiveness, seeing the story from the other person's perspective, however, in Shine I almost got the sense that bad behavior was justified.  I felt sad and let down.  There was tons of action, that's for sure, but I found it distracting and a little disturbing.  Maybe others feel differently or maybe that's what the author intended.  If so...well, good. I appreciate other view points and think they should be shared. So, I'd recommend this book to teen both teen boys and girls, because both of the important topics need to be discussed.  I rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.     

Book Review: CALEB'S WARS by DAVID DUDLEY

Caleb lives in a world at war. War news is on everyone’s mind, and Caleb’s older brother, Randall, is likely to be sent overseas. The presence of German POWs in Caleb’s rural Georgia community is a constant reminder of what’s happening in Europe. Locked in a power struggle with his domineering father and fighting to keep both his temper and his self-respect in dealing with whites, Caleb finds his loyalties shifting and his certainties slipping away. This coming-of-age story, set in a time before the civil rights movement emerged, traces one young man’s growing commitment to justice and to the courage needed to protect it.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Imprint: Clarion Books Pub Date: 10/24/2011

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Imprint: Clarion Books
Pub Date: 10/24/2011

Description:  Caleb's Wars  is a historical novel set in 1944, during World War II. David Dudley gives just the right amount of description to make the setting clear without overloading the reader.  Many of the details are hidden in the narrative so I did not feel burdened or distracted.  By the end of the first chapter, I felt like I was in rural Georgia with the heat and dust standing outside the Dixie Bell Cafe.  (Score: 8/10)


Narrative:  David Dudley chose first person to tell Caleb's story.  This POV lead to a sharing of intimate thoughts and feelings of the main character.  The narrative used was well organized, concise and interesting.  A lot of detail was given in a way that helped move the story along.  I really enjoyed seeing the world through Caleb's eyes.  It was often I found myself lost to the emotion of Caleb's Wars. (Score: 8/10)


Dialogue:  Okay, here is an area where Caleb's Wars is very unique.  David Dudley uses dialects, rural southern and African American in a most talented way.  It's part of the story and adds to the authenticity of the characters.  What I found most interesting, was the way David Dudley shows the reader how the African Americans were forced to speak in a degrading way, even when they knew proper grammar.  So, if you want an example of how to properly use dialect in a novel, Caleb's Wars is one I would recommend. (Score: 8/10)


Characterization:  It's interesting to note that there's quite a few characters in Caleb's Wars.  Many of them are minor or temporary. But to me, that adds to the realism of fiction.  In real life, we have people who only serve one purpose. Many times as I've revised my novel, I've been encouraged to cut out ones that don't accomplish multiple tasks.  But in Caleb's Wars, it works really well to establish timeline and sense of place.  (Score: 8/10)


Resolution:  I was pleasantly surprised and mildly disappointed in the ending of Caleb's Wars.  I think I expected the usual wrap it up and neatly packaged ending.  And that's a thought I can not explain.  Maybe because it was a historical novel or possibly because I was enjoying it so much, but the book just sort of ended. OR MAYBE...I felt unsatisfied because I couldn't believe those final few scenes could be the truth.  But it is.  And I have a pretty strong feeling that is exactly how David Dudley wants us to feel.  After all, it's how Caleb felt. (Score: 7/10)

As a reader, I enjoyed Caleb's Wars.  It's not earth shattering or fast paced, but it's not meant to be.  It's a snapshot glimpse into the life of someone else during a different time.  And it's clear David Dudley is not only familiar but passionate about his characters.  I think this book is a great addition to any library of history teachers, especially in middle or high schools. I'd recommend Caleb's Wars to lovers of history, haters of discrimination and supporters of standing up for your rights.  I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: HOW TO SAVE A LIFE by SARA ZARR

Photo Property of Hachette Book Group

How to Save a Life

By Sara Zarr

ISBN: 9780316036061
Published by: LITTLE BROWN BKS YOUNG READERS
Genre: JUVENILE FICTION
Published on: 10/18/2011
Subformat: YOUNG ADULT


Jill MacSweeny just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she's somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one.

Mandy Kalinowski understands what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she's sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It's harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?

As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy--or as difficult--as it seems.

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about the many roads that can lead us home.

Description:  Sara Zarr has a poetic way of describing scenes and people.  It's almost musical. Her words flow easily through my mind, painting a clear picture without overwhelming the senses.  Right from the start, How to Save a Life  drew me in and held my attention. (Score: 9/10)


Narrative:  Jill and Mandy are teens from different backgrounds brought together because of their own individual circumstances. How to Save a Life is told from alternating perspectives of the two girls.  To accomplish this, Sara Zarr utilized quite a bit of narrative.  This lead to a lot of background information presented per character.  And it's done beautifully.  I felt I was able to really know both girls. True fact: I couldn't read this book in public due to inability to control spontaneous tearful outbursts.  Yup-the narrative in this story was every thing a great book should be. (Score: 10/10)


Dialogue: I think Sara Zarr is really a teen hiding behind an adult.  The dialogue in this book is so authentic I could hear the voices in my head. (Okay, maybe I shouldn't admit that, but it's TRUE. lol) Sometimes in books, though, it's tough to tell the grown up speech from the teen speech; but not in How to Save a Life.  Even without tags, it was easy to pick up who was speaking when. (Score: 9/10)


Characterization: The characters in How to Save a Life stay in my mind even though I finished the book weeks ago.  To me, they were real people who shared their stories only with me.  I wonder how things are working out, and then laugh at myself because it's all made up.  That's great characterization and I can only hope to be that talented one day. (Score: 9/10)


Resolution:  Sara Zarr's book endings always make me sad because the experience is over.  Other than that, the resolutions are always perfect for me in every way: conclusive yet open ended enough to think for myself.   I want more.  I need more.  It's rare that I read a book over again, but ALL of Sara Zarr's books are on my bookshelf to be pilfered through when I need a fix.  I guess I'd say her books never end for me and that's the greatest resolution of all. (Score: 9/10)




I'm not going to lie.  I'm biased.  I've loved Sara Zarr's books since I first stumbled upon Story of a Girl while doing research for my own YA novel. Oh, and yeah, I took a workshop with her in June, but besides THAT I really think she is one of the greatest writers of realistic fiction out there.  ALL of her books have touched upon issues of my heart-personal things that I really don't think I can talk about here. 


But, How to Save a Life's impact I can discuss.  My father died suddenly seven years ago.  I'm an adult and was an adult when I lost him, but Jill's expression of grief was SO VERY close to mine that it felt like I lost him yesterday.  This summer, after reading How to Save a Life I grieved his loss all over again.  Even writing this blog has tears forming in my eyes.  Sara Zarr put thoughts into words that I can't verbalize.  Better yet, she gave me tools to share with others what it feels like to lose a parent. And that's only ONE of the issues she touches upon in this book.




How to Save a Life is a great read for anyone who enjoys heart wrenching, inspiring and beautiful stories all wrapped up in one.  It's genre is Young Adult, but I believe it's much broader than that.  The topics are applicable to most age groups.  I'm thinking this one, much like her others, will be up for many different awards.  I'd rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.


For a great review with a discussion of a different issue, check out Sera River's blog. 


AND for an inspiring interview of Sara Zarr click on over to Thalo Magazine.

Book Review: CHOICES by Kate Buckley

Family secrets, binge drinking, and teen pregnancy clash then erupt in Choices, a compelling coming-of-age journey for fifteen-year-old Kara MacNeil. A sophomore at an all-girls Catholic academy in Colorado, Kara finds herself crossing the line into womanhood far sooner than expected. Panic, fear, and confusion enclose her as she grapples, seemingly alone, with life-altering decisions. Facing a major confrontation with her conservative Catholic parents, Kara discovers her own inner strength and opens to allies that help her heal and move forward with confidence. Choices is the powerful story of a teenage girl who learns to think for herself, takes responsibility for her choices, and uncovers her solid sense of self, emerging from pain different yet strong and secure.

Description: The words in Choices were well chosen.  I didn't feel overwhelmed with details or lost in the scene.  Everything was set right to my preference, clean and simple. Some settings were a little vague, but I found it left more room for the story. I'd have to say for the story, it fit just right. (Score: 7.5/10)


Narrative:  Kate Buckley chose first person point of view (POV) to tell the story of Kara MacNeill.  This style tends to require quite a bit of narrative to move the story along. Inner thought and views are limited only to the main character. Despite a few minor issues, first POV works really well.  The story itself is fast paced and very intense. I think it's a good break for the reader that the narrative is simple, concise and easy to read. Also, I think the way Choices is written widens the reader level, meaning younger, as well as older teens/adults can appreciate this book. (Score: 7.5/10)

Dialogue:  I found the dialogue to be a little distracting.  The main character Kara is fifteen and a sophomore, yet her language is a little young for today's teens, at least in my opinion. Some of the exchanges seem a little forced.  And yet, I found I could overlook it because it was consistent with the voice of Kara.  As a sheltered, protected Catholic schoolgirl, it kind of makes sense that the story feels innocent.  (Score: 7/10)

Characterization:  There's a moderate number of characters in Choices and some of them are a little less defined than others.  Also, it's interesting to note that one character, rather significant to the resolution was introduced very late in the book.  In real life, this actually happens, so though it goes against the "rules" of novels, I think it added to the realism of the story.  As far as the main character, Kara, she was sympathetic to me as a reader. But as a writer, I wanted more.  She did show excellent character growth, but something was missing.  I'm not quite sure what that something is. (Score: 7/10)


Resolution:  Kate Buckley stuck to an authentic, realistic ending that I adore.  The growth of Kara was slow, well defined and then BAM, it all came together.  The character changed, but the reader wasn't told what to think or how to feel.  I found some predictability, but it was a comfort in the heavy content of the novel.  Overall, I liked the resolution and how it left me feeling after I put the book down.  (Score: 8.5/10)


I was nervous about reviewing this book, for a number of reasons.  Mostly, I feared the fact that Choices was self-published. It's not that I'm prejudiced against it; I've just read some substandard books that could have been so much better if only edited more.  BUT, when I did my research on Book Publishers Network and saw they offered editing services, I felt more confident.  And I'm glad I reviewed this book.  Kate Buckley tackles some very serious issues in Choices and does it well.  I know that even as a married woman with two kids, I STILL blame myself for situations when I shouldn't. As a matter of fact, LOTS of people blame me for being "too sexy" or "asking" men to hit on me.  But, that's our culture, I guess.  And I'm thankful for this book, because it puts the truth out there-why girls and women feel pressured in so many ways.  I'd recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt less than precious because she or he had to say no.  Be prepared to feel, because Choices is heavy with emotions.  I give this novel 3 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review: BROOKLYN BURNING by STEVE BREZENOFF

Photo property of Lerner Publishing Group

When you’re sixteen and no one understands who you are, sometimes the only choice left is to run. If you’re lucky, you find a place that accepts you, no questions asked. And if you’re really lucky, that place has a drum set, a place to practice, and a place to sleep. For Kid, the streets of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, are that place. Over the course of two scorching summers, Kid falls hopelessly in love and then loses nearly everything and everyone worth caring about. But as summer draws to a close, Kid finally finds someone who can last beyond the sunset.

Description:  I am not from Brooklyn, but I've been there once.  That said, Steve Brezonff did an amazing job of putting me right in the heart of the borough without boring me.  I loved his use of description all throughout Brooklyn Burning.  It feels weird to say, but his description was conversational. What I mean: is I felt spoken to, part of the story, drawn in.  Often description makes me stop and think to figure out what I'm supposed to know.  But not in this book.  I felt in the story right from the start. (Score 8.5/10) 

Narrative:  Brooklyn Burning was written from first person Point of View (POV).  There's quite a large amount of narrative, which works really well for this story.  Yet, my very favorite and most amazing aspect of the story is when the main character, Kid, has inner thoughts in SECOND person POV.  At first, it's startling, but not in a bad way-it's attention grabbing.  And it held me.  But not only that, I felt hugged by it-meaning it gave the book a VERY intimate feeling.  In ALL I've learned about writing, second person is difficult to use and generally frowned upon.  BUT, Steve Brezenoff makes it work beautifully. If you are considering writing using second person POV, I recommend you take at look at this book for direction.  (Score: 9/10)

Dialogue:  When I think about conversation in Brooklyn Burning I realize I barely noticed it.  The characters speaking to each other flowed in a natural and easy way.  Steve Brezenoff's writing style is very conversational so the dialogue matched it well.  I didn't feel as if I were an outsider looking in-I felt involved. I really think the use of second person POV added to that feeling. It also added to the mystery/tension of the story. Sorry, no spoilers here.  You'll have to read it to see what I mean.  (Score: 9/10) 

Characterization:  Brooklin Burning contains a cast of diverse characters.  The main character, Kid, felt very real, down to earth and not at all stereotyped. Actually, I felt very free, as the reader, to apply my own interpretation of the characters and THAT is hard to find in literature. Kid clearly had issues but the story wasn't overtly "dark" or"sexual" and I loved the themes it enveloped.  There was one point where I found myself confused, but that was close to the beginning.  There are two characters: Jonny and Konny.  The similarities in their names led me to believe, at first, this was a typo (it happens sometimes in Advanced Reader Copies/ARCs), but over time, I saw realized they were different people.  It worked, but I really wished for a little more variety in name choices.  Personalities, however, were a very different story.  Each character was unique, multi-dimensional and real feeling. By the end, I felt I knew everyone and cared enough to be sad the book was ending. (Score: 8/10)

Resolution:  I really liked the way Steve Brezenoff told Kid's story of Brooklyn Burning.  The back story unfolded alongside the current events which led to a build up of tension and release as the resolution.  And to be honest, I most definitely prefer reading this type of novel.  It feels more real to life and less contrived.  I also believe this time of resolution is the hardest to achieve because the writer only has reality on his side...and we ALL know, reality never really ends or resolves.  S0-YES!  I loved the resolution. (Score: 9/10)


One of the last things I'd ever want to do is spoil this book for the readers.  I despise telling people what to think or how to feel.  So, I'm going to make this section short and vague.  Brooklyn Burning is a coming of age story about a teen on the streets of NYC.  To be honest, I really didn't know what to expect when I started reading the ARC I received via NetGalley.com.  But once I got started, I was pleasantly surprised.  I read the book in one day.  Brooklyn Burning, for me, was a little about self-discovery, love, friendship, trust, and finally self-acceptance.  It has a component of romance, but I wouldn't call it a love story. It's so much more.  And to categorize it as anything other than a very readable Young Adult Novel would go against, what I believe, the author would want.  I'd rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: CALLIE by JESSICA LEE ANDERSON

Photo property of Milkweed Editions

Title:		Calli
Publisher:		Milkweed Editions

Pub Date:

09/13/2011

Author:		Jessica Lee Anderson
Category:		FICTION - ADULT: Literary

Calli has almost everything she could want in life—two loving moms, a good-looking boyfriend, and a best friend who has always been there for support. An only child, Calli is excited when her parents announce that they want to foster a girl her own age. But Cherish is not at all what Calli expected. Cherish lies, steals, kisses Calli’s boyfriend, and seems to get away with just about everything. Tired of being pushed around and determined to get even, Calli decides to take matters into her own hands. But her plan for revenge goes horribly awry. Calli ends up on the wrong side of her moms, her boyfriend, and even her best friend, while she wrestles with her guilt. She is desperate for a chance to make amends, but what if Calli doesn’t get another chance to say she’s sorry?

Description:  There's not a ton of description in Calli, so there's not a lot to say.  Scenes are set well.  I know what I needed to know to get by.  And details didn't overwhelm or bore me.  For me, as a reader, if I don't notice description, then it's done well. (Score: 6/10)

Narrative: Jessica Lee Anderson wrote Calli's story in first person, so the tale is told right from inside her head.  There's a lot of narrative.  Sometimes too much, I think.  I really liked knowing the facts revealed in this fashion, but I thought it lacked a little in the creativity department.  Some areas were a little dry and drawn out.  Overall, though, I enjoyed the concept of the novel. (Score: 5/10)

Dialogue:  Again, here, I was a little disappointed.  Most of the time, the dialogue was rather predictable. It lacked the flair that I think makes Young Adult Authors really stand out.  It wasn't bad or annoying, so that's good.    All in all, the dialogue in Calli just sort of was-if you know what I mean. (Score: 5/10)

Characterization:  (Now I'm starting to feel bad about writing this review, but hang in there, there are some redeeming qualities I'll describe later.)  My blunt and honest truth is that the characters were not multi-dimensional the way I like them.  They didn't pop off the page and pull me into the book.  Yes, each character was unique and definitely an individual within the story, but there was nothing that rose them above the general population.  (Score: 4/10)

Resolution:  Well, here I can honestly say this is a resolution that surprised me.  And that's hard to do.  There wasn't a far fetched twist or a predictable ending.  The book wrapped up and ended.  I liked that.  There were no cliff hangers or spoilers.  (Score: 6/10)

Calli overall was a book I liked, but didn't love.  I'm disappointed because I really, really wanted to love it.  The concept was sort of interesting to me: two moms and a teen with a foster sister.  What a great idea!  But, overall, I felt the novel really lacked the magic it needed to make me fall in love with it.  On the plus side, I didn't hate it.  I think maybe it could be enjoyed by many. I'd especially recommend it to the younger side of YA or readers who aren't as character driven as I am.  The story itself is clean cut with none of the "darkness" critics keep talking about.  It simple and easy to follow with some real thought provoking pieces to it.  Overall, I'd rate this book:  2.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: IN TROUBLE by ELLEN LEVINE

Photo Property of Lerner Publishing

Title:

In Trouble

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

Imprint:

Carolrhoda Lab

Pub Date:

09/01/2011

Author:

Ellen Levine

Jamie and Elaine have been best friends forever, and now they’re finally juniors in high school. Elaine has a steady boyfriend, and Jamie could have one—if she'd just open her eyes and see Paul. But Jamie has a bigger problem to worry about. Then Elaine gets "in trouble"—something they thought only happened to "other" girls. Are there any good choices for a girl in trouble?


In Trouble is a novel born of author Ellen Levine’s interviews with women who came of age in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including those who knew what it was like to be a teen facing a horrible choice. In the decades before Roe v. Wade, a young woman "in trouble" had very few options—and all of them meant shame, isolation, and maybe much worse. Jamie and Elaine's stories are just two among the thousands of stories of teenagers facing unplanned pregnancies.

Description:  Confession: I read In Trouble in one sitting.  I couldn't put it down.  Ellen Levine had me captivated from the start.  The description was light, interesting and never distracting.  Actually, I barely noticed it and felt as if I knew everything intuitively.  And to me, that's great description.  It flowed but didn't flood. (Score: 9/10)  

Narrative:  I found Ellen Levine's style of narrative clean and simple.  A lot of the story comes from within Jamie-which lends very well to the intimacy of the book.  The tension and passion are both clear to me as a reader and inspiring as a writer.  There's a lot of emotion packed into  what felt like a very short novel. (Score: 9/10)

Dialogue:  Unfortunately, dialogue was not one one of my favorites for In Trouble.  A lot of it felt predictable and dry.  I liked how it helped the story unfold, but in some ways it felt relied upon a little too much for me.  Now the inner dialogue of Jamie, however, is different.  The book starts with it and carries it to the end.  For me, that was the grabber. (Score: 6/10)

Characterization:  As much as I loved the book, I felt characterization lacked a little too.  Though I could tell everyone apart, they all sort of felt, well...simple.  But it did fit the type of story, so overall it worked.  Honestly, I think I'd have liked to know Grandma a little more-she seemed feisty and smart.  In the end, the characters stayed true to themselves and the time setting.  (Score: 7/10)  

Resolution:  The ending of the book was perfect for my tastes.  A lot of things happened, leading to high emotions and an ending that satisfied.  But most of all, I LOVED the Author's Note at the end.  I'm a true-blue back story girl and Ellen Levine's thoughts are clearly heartfelt.  It's hard for writers to expose themselves, especially with hot topics like abortion.  But she took the time to explain to her readers where her inspiration came from.  And she makes some very valid points. One in particular: "Although the historical setting is different, the pressures on young women remain the same". AMEN to that I say. (Score 9/10)

My friend and fellow NetGalley user, Sera Rivers suggested I review In Trouble.  I thanked her a bunch of times.  As a woman, a mother of a daughter, a nurse and writer, this book moved me.  As I said above, I read it in one sitting-a matter of hours.  And yes, I cried.  I cheered.  I felt inspired.  It's the type of book that should be read in schools and discussed at length. (Though I have no doubt it'll be banned.) History need not repeat itself.  We should, as women, be supporting each other-even if we don't agree.  I really hope this book makes it onto at least a few required reading lists for young adults 13-14 years and older.  I know it's on mine forever. Though I didn't love everything about how the book was crafted, I still rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: SPEAK by LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON

Picture from Penguin.com

Penguin Group

ISBN 9780142407325 

224 pages 

Apr 2006  

14 - AND UP years

Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won’t talk to her, and people she doesn’t even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that’s not safe. Because there’s something she’s trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully 

constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth. This extraordinary first novel has captured the imaginations of teenagers and adults across the country.

Description:  Speak is told from the point of view (POV) of a girl starting high school: Melinda Sordino.  Using first person POV means the narrator has to provide all the details of description.  In all the reading I've done, I've found it amazing at how many authors can accomplish this seamlessly.  Laurie Halse Anderson is one such author.  Not only do I see what Melinda sees, but I can feel it, taste it, hear it and I don't feel overwhelmed with extra stuff. I particularly love the way Melinda uses art to talk in context of life and learning.  It was a great way to really showcase all that was going on inside her head.  And though this book was first published in 1999, in no way did it feel dated.  (Score: 10/10)

Narrative:  Laurie Halse Anderson uses a form of narrative I admire.  The paragraphs are short and spaced apart.  This setup alone makes me subconsciously feel more in tune with the personality of the story and the character.  But the words themselves come straight from the head of Melinda.  It's authentic with a voice that stayed with me long after I finished the book. And miraculously, she covers an entire school year without ever letting the story lag or move too fast. (Score: 10/10)  

Dialogue:  I'm not quite sure how she did this, but the author used a rather unique form of dialogue that I fell in love with.  Instead of the typical layout, much of the dialogue was in a scripted format.  This too added to the feeling in the book.  I imagine it was difficult to write this way because the author loses the ability to communicate body language.  Her words had to speak for themselves. And the did, in a big way.  Not all the dialogue was done this way, some was buried in with narrative, but it kept it interesting.  (Score; 10/10)

Characterization:  Speak's characters were all engaging and multi-dimensional.  I admire the way Laurie Halse Anderson was able to make Melinda troubled without being pathetic or whiny.  She was real and in pain, but at the same time strong.  That's really hard to do!  I looked for stereotypes, just because I always do, and really found none.  There are generalizations, yes, but I think that's so true in any book-but they didn't feel forced or faked.  I also really liked the way characters came in and out of Melinda's life-this made it feel more real to me.   (Score: 10/10)

Resolution:  My favorite aspect of realistic fiction is the resolution.  Often, the climax is so subtle that I barely notice it's coming...or maybe I don't want to admit it.  But Speak was like that.  It held conflicts and triumphs throughout while at the same time leading the reader down a road of growth and understanding.  Melinda's growth is sudden, which makes this fictional story so very believable.  The ending was unique and interesting.  I was sad for it to end, but at least I know Laurie Halse Anderson has written more books to enjoy.  (Score: 10/10)

This book is an important read.  Not only is it well written, but the main topic-the unspoken teen- is very relevant to today's society.  Too often, teens (and even adults) feel they can't really say what they need to.  Our world places way too many expectations and restrictions on what is appropriate to talk about.  But some things shouldn't be kept silent.  How many girls are shamed into silence every day?  Who makes that okay?  I also loved how Melinda was "punished" for bad grades.  I mean, hello?? That's a red flag of distress and, again, too often, it's covered up with blame and excuses. Don't get me wrong, I understand why this happens.  People don't know how to deal with such problems.  So, where do we begin learning?  With books such as Speak.  The topic is on the table, now discuss. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.