What an honor to get to sit on a panel with Laurie at the Brooklyn Book Festival years later and have the opportunity to let her know how much her writing has meant to me. Melinda’s journey as a survivor of sexual assault, crafted by Laurie with such authenticity and voice, served as a touchstone for me as I attempted to create my own stories about realistic teens in the world. Many years ago when I was an aspiring novelist, Laurie’s SPEAK reassured me that teenagers crave honesty, complexity, nuance, and rough edges in their stories-they don’t need morality tales nor will they read them. It’s been my true privilege to have experienced Laurie Halse Anderson’s SPEAK as a reader, a writer of young adult novels, and a high school English teacher. By signing up you agree to our terms of use Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

It’s as haunting-and as moving-as the original book and welcomes both fans of the story and new readers into its world.

Anderson’s story, updated to include some of the new realities of social media in the lives of high schoolers, pairs spectacularly with the art of Emily Carroll. The publication of Speak’s graphic novel last year added even more to the story. Despite the tragedy she’s experienced as the victim of a sexual assault, her humor further pulls at the reader’s heart and reminds them that even those who’ve suffered something unimaginable are still three-dimensional, complex individuals. It not only still resonated, but I brought new things and gleaned fresh insights into the book, too. Her story hooked me and stayed with me throughout my teen years and my twenties, and I revisited the book again a few years ago. I flipped through, immediately captivated by Melinda’s voice on the page. The book hit shelves when I was 14, and I vividly remember heading deep into the corner of my local library and finding it on the shelf. Speak was the first YA book I ever read while I myself was a young adult.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of Laurie Halse Anderson’s phenomenal, groundbreaking YA book Speak.

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