Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I recently caught the 2004 movie version of this book (starring Kristen Stewart) on Lifetime. The movie was good enough that I decided it would be worthwhile to read the book. As is usually the case, the book was much better.

This is one of those situations where reading the book and knowing what it's about, you find the book almost too enjoyable for the subject-matter. In a way this book is almost a dark comedy, as much as it is a serious message about what young people really go through.

Freshman year is a hard transition for anyone, but for Melinda it's even harder. She begins her first year of high school without any friends; not because she is new to a school, but because over the summer she called the cops to a party. No one knows why she called the police, and she hasn't told them. She bears this secret right along with the day to day struggle of seeing the people who were once her friends.

Her grades drop as she skips classes. All her parents see is a child who once "perfect" suddenly changing her actions and attitudes and refusing to speak.

The book progresses through the school year, as we watch Melinda fall further and further into herself and away from others. As she struggles with telling someone what happened over the summer, we finally learn what it was. There are moments of dark humor throughout the book, allowing you to feel the emotions that Melinda feels and struggle right along beside her.

The book is listed as "adolescent reading" but I thought it was a great read, and would recommend it for any woman (regardless of age).