Book Review: SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

Bibliography

Anderson, Laurie Halse. SPEAK. New York: Square Fish, 1999. ISBN 0312674392.

Plot Summary

At the end of a summer party, Melinda Sordino calls the police, but leaves before telling them or anyone else what really happened. When school starts, Melinda is a freshman in high school, and everyone hates her for ruining the party. Melinda’s grades start slipping and she starts skipping classes. While Melinda struggles at school, her parents spend much of their time working and they communicate via sticky notes on the counter. Melinda becomes morose and silent. 

There is more to what happened at that summer party, but Melinda tries everything to not think or speak about it. Then her ex-best friend, Rachel, starts dating that boy, that boy Melinda doesn’t want to think about or speak about, the boy that filled her life with pain and shame. Melinda tries to warn Rachel, but Rachel doesn’t want to believe her. When Melinda is in jeopardy, she finds her voice again to save herself. With the truth now out, Melinda learns to let go of her shame and guilt, so that she can begin to heal.

Critical Analysis

The plot of SPEAK is an original and at times heartbreaking take on a very tough topic. The main character’s experiences and thoughts slowly build up to the climax and final revelation in a believable and authentic way. The story is written from the point of view of Melinda, a teenager that has gone through something traumatic. The details of her pain and guilt is gradually laid bare in her thoughts as she begins to understand that what happened to her was not her fault. The language and character development is believable and reflected the way the average teenage might think or speak, even though the book was published more than a decade ago.

Teen readers might feel that SPEAK is a truthful portrayal of the common reality of the spitefulness and peer pressure of high school. Readers might identify with much of what happens in this novel, no matter what their age. The tone of the story might reflect a need by the author to educate readers on identifying the signs of possible abuse. Anderson balances educating readers and telling the story of recovering emotionally and mentally from rape. Though some might consider the topic of rape and sexual assault controversial, SPEAK is still relevant and powerful for young adult readers.

Review Excerpt(s)

1999 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature

From School Library Journal

“This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.”

Dina Sherman

From Booklist

“In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” Debbie Carton

From Kirkus

“The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.”

Book Connections

Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson:

CATALYST. ISBN 0142400017.

CHAINS. ISBN 1416905863.

WINTERGIRLS. ISBN 067001110X.

Activities for SPEAK:

• Have students watch the independent film based on the book and compare and contrast the book and film versions.
• Have students find and locate different resources that provide support and help for sexual assault victims. Discuss in small groups what each student could do to help someone like Melinda and then write individual essays on ways to help someone who has been sexually assaulted.

Book Review: SAVVY by Ingrid Law

Bibliography

Law, Ingrid. SAVVY. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2008. ISBN: 0142414336.

Plot Summary

Mississippi Beaumont, otherwise known as Mibs, is excited for her thirteenth birthday, but not for the usual reasons. Mibs comes from a very special family who come into a very special power or savvy on their thirteenth birthdays. Her oldest brother, Rocket, uses his electrical savvy to keep the family car running and her brother, Fish, accidentally caused a hurricane with his water savvy on his thirteenth birthday. Mibs’ grandfather can move mountains with his savvy, while her mother does everything perfect, even her mistakes. Mibs’ father is the only one in the Beaumont family without a savvy. 

Mibs is excited to see what her savvy might be, until her father is injured and in a coma after a serious car accident two days before her birthday. Mibs’ mother and Rocket go to be with their father in the hospital, while Mibs and her other siblings stay with the preacher’s family from their church. When her birthday arrives, Mibs is convinced that her savvy will help wake her father and decides to find a way to get to the hospital ninety miles away. Mibs, Fish, their younger brother Samson, and the preacher’s kids, Bobbi and Will Junior, sneak a ride on a pink bible delivery bus driven by twitchy and kind delivery man, Lester. 

On their journey to get to her father, Mibs learns more about her savvy and herself, makes new friends, and has a budding romance develop with Will Junior, who has a secret himself. After finally getting to see her father, Mibs’ savvy does help her father, and helps him discovery his own savvy.

Critical Analysis

SAVVY is a coming-of-age novel with a magical twist. The main character, Mibs, is now a teenager and her journey to save her father and understand her savvy teaches her valuable lessons about family, growing up, and accepting our differences. Even without a savvy, the reader can relate to these themes and the characters. Each character is clearly distinct from the others, with their unique quirks and foibles, even those without an obvious savvy. 

By the end of the story, readers feel an affinity for all of the characters, even snarky sixteen-year-old Bobbi (and fidgety, stuttering Lester), and are invested in their outcomes. Though the novel is a fantasy, and many of the characters have a special power, the characters are developed in a way that the reader feels like they could be friends with the character or could identify themselves in one or all of the characters.

The plot of the story is plausible and reasonable. Even though the Beaumont family has special powers, the author has written their journey in such a way that makes it feel like it could have really happened. The plot and characters of SAVVY are fantastical, though other elements are more realistic. The setting is in the middle of nowhere, in a place the Beaumont family likes to call Kansaska-Nebransas. Though the setting may not be fantastical, the author provides enough details for readers to visualize the surroundings. Law’s use of language and alliteration create a vivid and simple fantasy that is entertaining and touching.

Review Excerpt(s)

2009 Newbery Honor winner

From School Library Journal

“With its delightful premise and lively adventure, this book will please a wide variety of audiences, not just fantasy fans. Definitely an author to watch.” Elizabeth Bird

From Booklist

“Law’s storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast of whacky, yet believable characters delightful.” Francisca Goldsmith

Book Connections

Read the companion novel to SAVVY by Ingrid Law:

SCRUMBLE, ISBN 0142419621.

Read other Newbery Honor fantasy books:

Lin, Grace. WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, ISBN 0316038636.

Black, Holly. DOLL BONES, ISBN 1416963995.

McGraw, Eloise. THE MOORCHILD, ISBN 1416927689.

Activities for SAVVY:

• Have students write about a power or savvy, real or imaginary, that they would like to have and how they would use their savvy.
• Ask students to consider their own life journeys. What have been the high and low points of their lives? Have students create a visual map of their lives using a Web 2.0 tool like Prezi, and extend their maps by exploring and predicting their future too.
• Have students read the tall tale of Eva Mae El Dorado Two-Birds Ransom that Ingrid Law wrote and based her novel SAVVY on and have students compare and contrast both stories. The tale of Eva Mae can be found at http://www.penguin.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/savvy/savvy_exc_orig_01.php. 

Book Review: BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Bibliography

Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD! Random House, 2005. ISBN 0375832297.

Plot Summary

In BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD!, Babymouse dreams about being Queen of the World, but her everyday life as middle schooler is less than glamorous. One day, Babymouse overhears the “real queen” Felicia Furrypaws tell her friends that she is having a sleepover and now Babymouse want to be invited. To get an invitation to the sleepover, Babymouse gives her book report to Felicia since Felicia forgot to bring hers to school. 

Babymouse gets her invite and goes to the sleepover, but remembers that she agreed to watch a movie with her best friend Wilson. Babymouse hopes Wilson will forgive her and goes to the sleepover, where she gets bored and lets her imagination get her into hilarious trouble. Babymouse quickly gets fed up with the boring sleepover and the Felicia’s attitude and leaves the party. She finds herself at Wilson’s, where she realizes her life isn’t boring and the glamorous things she thought she wanted were not what she needed after all.

Critical Analysis

In this first graphic novel in the BABYMOUSE series, the sassy and imaginative main character, Babymouse, is relatable and funny. Even though she is a mouse, many middle school students should be able to connect to her desire to fit in, while enjoying Babymouse’s daydream adventures. A quick read, the plot is believable and logical. Babymouse tries to find her place socially (which includes the typical angst and envy found in adolescence), and yet learns that good friends are more important than being popular. 

One of the themes for this story includes learning that good friends are important and the things we think we want are not always what we need. These are common themes that young readers should identify with and understand. The lively text of Jennifer L. Holm and the graphics by Matthew Holm fit together perfectly to create a graphic novel full of humor and energy. The language is appropriate to the characters and young readers. 

The wild imaginings of Babymouse, such as her daydream of being Babymouserella, are very entertaining and reminiscent of the adventures of the comic strip "Calvin & Hobbes." This is the first book in the BABYMOUSE series and after reading QUEEN OF THE WORLD!, readers will want to gobble up the 13 other books in the series.

Review Excerpt(s)

2006 ALA Notable Children's Book winner

2006 Gryphon Award winner

From Kirkus Reviews

"Emergent readers will cheer 'Babymouse!'"

From Booklist

“The Holms spruce up some well-trod ground with breathless pacing and clever flights of Babymouse's imagination, and their manic, pink-toned illustrations of Babymouse and her cohorts vigorously reflect the internal life of any million-ideas-a-minute middle-school student.” Jesse Karp

Book Connections

Novels by Jennifer L. Holm:

TURTLE IN PARADISE, ISBN 037583690X.

PENNY FROM HEAVEN, ISBN 0375836896.

OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, ISBN 0064408566.

Other books in the BABYMOUSE series:

BABYMOUSE #2: OUR HERO, ISBN 0375832300.

BABYMOUSE #3: BEACH BABE, ISBN 0375832319.

BABYMOUSE #4: ROCKSTAR, ISBN 0375832327.

Other graphic novels by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm:

SQUISH #1: SUPER AMOEBA, ISBN 0375843892

SQUISH #2: BRAVE NEW POND, ISBN 0375843906

SQUISH #3: THE POWER OF THE PARASITE, ISBN 0375843914

Activities for BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD!:

• Use the BABYMOUSE graphic novels to entice and provide support to reluctant and struggling readers.
• With a document camera, project the illustrations from BABYMOUSE without the text showing and ask students to create the text for each panel. Then have student compare their responses with the original text.
• Have students plan and create their own graphic novel.