Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

My goal is to go home and take a nap.

I think this book talks about very important and real subjects, in a sensitive, beliavable way. Melinda Sordino just entered high school, and she's an outcast. This shows the way she deals with her life, but it's far from being a chick flick. The leading character has depth and problems, and she's what makes the book deep. The writing is realistic, it seems like it was written by a 14 year old, and it says a lot of beautiful, true things. It nails school, teachers and the way kids can be so mean with a certain funny irony, and at the same time you can feel the suffer of Melinda. It has beautiful descriptions, haunting scenes (the rape scene), touching bits (the ending conclusion), and funny, with ironic, truthful observations. It is always very enjoyable and sad; the way Melinda chooses to stay silent makes perfect sense and creates a dark, great mood. It is, too, a way of warning people for the problems that kids can have. You should read this, not just because it is greatly written, but because of its message. Adults should read this, too, I think this is a book that older people can enjoy.