Speak

Speak is a 1999 Young Adult novel written by Laurie Halse Anderson, tackling themes of isolation and trauma in high school. The book is often voted as Anderson's best work, with several adaptations such as a movie and a comic book, as well as many fans asking for a sequel to the book.

Plot
Melinda Sordino is starting her first year of High School, but finds difficulty fitting in due to feelings of isolation and rumors about her being spread for spoiling a party by calling the police. The only class she's been doing well in is art with her generous teacher, Mr. Freeman, but greatly struggling with all others, as well as relationships with fellow classmates, her parents, and former close friends. However, her carefully constructed lie becomes challenged with the arrival of Andy Evans, a fellow student who caused her a lot of pain in the past, pain she tries to forget. As her timultuous school life progresses, she finds that one mistake can shatter her lies and she'll be forced to speak about a terrible secret she wants to keep hidden.

Why it Rocks

 * 1) Excellent depiction of how painful isolation can be, especially in High School, and how that time is a very difficult, yet important, time in everyone's life.
 * 2) Melinda is an incredibly relatable character, and an excellent depiction of a bullied child who longs for change, but is often too afraid to pursue it because of a devastating secret.
 * 3) Touches on a lot of important subjects, like misunderstanding, deep-seeded fear, and the importance teachers can bring in a student's life.
 * 4) Excellent writing and dialogue that makes each situation feel very real and relatable.
 * 5) A great twist that touches on an even more important subject, rape and the trauma that comes with it.
 * 6) Plenty of other likeable characters, like Melinda's art teacher, Mr. Freeman, who encourages her to go deeper into her psyche through art, her lab partner, David, who becomes a good potential boyfriend, and so on.
 * 7) There are also plenty of characters who are intentionally unlikeable, like Heather and The Martha's who prove to be toxic people in Melinda's life who she soon cuts out for that reason.
 * 8) Extremely realistic depiction of not only trauma, but depression and feelings of isolation, which helps the tone of the book greatly.
 * 9) An extremely satisfying ending that sends a powerful message, that telling the truth can save your life, and trying to forget only causes more pain.