The Reading Nook

In the book, Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, a ninth grade girl tries to hold in her secret which is tearing her up from the inside. This story is truly a Young Adult book because it is realistic and connects to teenagers around the world. It is such a rich story, taking place in a high school in Syracuse where the main character, Melinda Sordino, finally learns to overcome her fears and speak out, but not soon enough to cover the dark secrets of her past. I am in love with this book because there are many issues and conflicts, and the author is full of suspense. In this story, there are many twists, turns, and many things the reader would not anticipate. Melinda grows and blossoms like a tree throughout the story, but she sometimes has diseased branches. She learns how to get rid of these branches right before she becomes completely infected.

This story reflects most of the elements that are used to categorize a Young Adult book:
-the events and problems in the plot are related to teenagers

-the dialogue reflects teenage speech

-Melinda Sordino is extra sensitive

-the novel is less than 250 pages

-Melinda becomes a lot more mature by the end of the novel.