Speak

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 1999 SLJ Grade 8+ LJ Grade 8+

From Library Journal
Grade 8 Up-A ninth grader becomes a social pariah when she calls the police to bust a summer bash and spends the year coming to terms with the secret fact that she was raped during the party. A story told with acute insight, acid wit, and affecting prose.  Recommended by Chesley Memorial Library

Comments:

I love that this was nominated! It's still so timely and it is great for this age group as it manages to both address date rape realistically but not overly graphically. However. . . it's so old! and there's been a new wave of problem novels that address rape. Could be a bold statement to include it on the list though! Wonderful book. - Liz, Merrimack PL

Oldie but a goodie in terms of quality literature for teen readers. This book appeals to female high school readers who tend toward realistic fiction ( think Ellen Hopkins books).I don't see this going out the middle readers, esp 7th& 8th graders at my library. I would say not a good fit for this list. Great book, just too dated and female centered. - Julia Lanter, Exeter Public Library

I agree - an oldie but a goodie - and I wouldn't mind seeing it on the list. I'll also remind everyone that a majority of titles on the list were recommended by students from Barrington PL or Barrington MS so including something nominated from another library suggests more statewide representation. - Yvette/Merrimack UPDATE: I was finally able to re-read this title even though the list has been finalized and I'm just so happy we were able to include it. Melinda's voice is absolutely authentic, Anderson's storytelling is, frankly, exquisite - her plotting careful and truthful, and the topic is sadly, still timely and important. I didn't find this dated at all.