Speak: the graphic novel - A book review by Chloe

Content warning: Readers should know that rape and self-harm are depicted in this novel.

 Melina was sexually as

saulted at a party - and she begins to feel depressed and withdrawn from her life. Throughout the book, she also struggles with her grades, especially as she continues to see "IT" (the boy who assaulted her) around the school. At home, Melinda's parents are fighting all the time, and she only feels more depressed. This novel shows images and words about how she feels and experiences depression and - eventually - how she learns to speak up about both. 

Speak is an incredibly beautiful and poetic book. It was really impressive how the author was able to put so much meaning behind a couple lines of words. The images gave the poetry even deeper meaning. This is a very important book to read for everyone, even if they have not experience sexual assault. It can help built empathy for survivors and help others become educated on the topic. Overall, the reviewer liked this book and would recommend that everyone reads it. 

Speak availble to checkout in print or eBook. 

 

 

 

 

Five Trivia Questions (answers at bottom of page)

1. While in detention, Melinda thinks of a vocabularly word. What was it and how many points was it worth?

2.  Which grade did Melinda think was "easy" beause she could play outside without her mom but still couldn't leave the block?

3. During spring break, Melinda refers to her house as what?

4. On Easter, where was the last egg always hidden?

5. After Melinda's dad failed to make a Thanksgiving meal, what kind of pizza did Melinda order for them?

Three discussion questions (spoilers incoming!)

1. If you have read the original Speak novel, how do you think it compares to the graphic novel version?

2. Do you think the pictures in the grahpic novel express the ideas of the story well?

3. Did you like the poetic parts of the book or would you have preferred it to be in a different format?

Trivia Answers

1. Self-incrimination, three points (page 283)

2. 5th grade (page 175)

3. A shrinking house in which she felt like Alice in Wonderland (page 257)

4. A basket with chocolate rabbits and yellow marshmallow chicks (page 256)

5. An extra large pizza with double cheese and double mushroom (page 96)