Originally read/listened to this 2/2022 ... two years later, it is the selection for bookclub... I'm looking forward to the discussion. I relistened and re-read, taking notes, also checking out the graphic novel, the movie, and the author's memoir Shout (which feels very similar to Speak, with the short/topic chapters). It is ironic, that while I had rated the book 5* and I remembered a lot about the book, I didn't remember how it ended. This time (with the graphic novel and movie making it visual) I won't forget. 

Additional thoughts from this revisit ...

**The graphic novel really brought out the rabbit/bunny imagery ... I don't know that I really noticed its prevalence throughout the book on my first read/listen.
**Capitalization ... I see this in a few books, where certain words start with a capital letter, as if the words are names, or "finger quotes" to set them apart a little (doesn't really translate into audio, perhaps with enough enunciation ...) She shows Potential ... the Right People, David Petrakis My Lab Partner...
**Trees: Of course trees are important, that's the subject of her art project, on the cover of the book.  Registered more strongly this read. The tree in her front yard that needs to be trimmed, looks like they are destroying it, but it will ultimately make it stronger. The tree where the rape happened, she returns to that spot.  When tree types were mentioned "every stinking tree that grows: sycamore, linden, aspen, willow, fir, tulip poplar, chestnut, elm, spruce" ... reminded me a little of other books; Harry's Trees and The Eagle Tree. "You can't grow a decent tree without roots." "Perfect trees don't exist. Nothing is perfect. Flaws are interesting. Be the tree."  Tree: "Hush, rustle, chitachita shhhh..."
** Silence ... I highlighted quite a few quotes about silence. Having some major personal thoughts on silence and NOT saying things (despite the overall message of the book, I'm feeling like I should just zip it more often than not). "I have never heard a more eloquent silence." "The whole point of not talking about it, of silencing the memory, is to make it go away." "I have nothing. I say nothing. I am nothing." ".. but what if I say the wrong thing?" "Nothing quieter than snow."
** Oral report: I remember my college classes, an oral report and a written report was a requirement in EVERY class. Seriously? An oral/written report in calculus? "Why I don't like math ..." (I honestly don't remember what my topic was for that class, and I had no issue with it other than it seemed a stretch). 
** Apples ... random thoughts, the apples mentioned in the book "Rome or a Cortland or a McIntosh" ... I can't say I see ANY of those in the stores today (this is 20+ years old) ... now it's Red Delicious, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, HoneyCrisp, Envy, Jazz, Pink Lady ...  The graphic novel made the part about the "little tree growing from the seed inside an apple" very visual. 
** Technology ... tape recorder, no cell phones - mention of the long phone cords, the writing on the bathroom wall (what would it be today with social media ... although I'm sure bathroom graffiti still happens). 
** Format Differences: The Kindle copy has some stuff (Here's the Thing/Author's Notes, some Q&A,  Discussion Guide) and the audio has some stuff "Make Some Noise" ... a "poem" by the author (on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnqrnPtxrCY, similar but not included in SHOUT), a foreword by Ashley C. Ford, an Afterword by Jason Reynolds, a different Q&A with the author. Both formats had a list of resources, and a comment about censorship. I assume because the "chapters" are so short, only a portion of the headers are included in the audiobook Table of Contents (the last one in audio is "Communication 101" and in the Kindle copy, there are six more "topic headings" ... Chat Room, Pruning, Prowling, Postprom, Prey, Final Cut ... these are announced in audio, but I like to look over the TOC and remember all the parts and pieces and it feels like it's lacking in the audio TOC. 
** Movie Changes: I thought the movie was good, old, couldn't get it with subtitles (which I like when I watch). Author notes said budget and timetable was super small. Still some big names. Change in the end with Rachel (no prom walkout, not as much character growth for Rachel), also Melinda tells Heather off (liked this better), some different scenes with the art teacher (he gives her a ride at one point ... not really kosher in todays world. She brings him to her closet, again, wouldn't be acceptable today). 

******* Original Review 02/2022 ********************


I'm always interested in what is required reading in the schools today. To be aware, to discuss and help with any assignments (my boys don't love reading/writing but English was always a favorite subject for me), to have a bit of a "book club/learning" environment - as while I love reading for pleasure, reading to discuss and answer questions is interesting too. 

So when I saw "Speak" was going to be the book for my son's English - I checked with my local library and was able to get the audiobook almost immediately. I put the kindle copy on hold (it's actually included in KU, but I don't have a membership to that at the moment). I got the Kindle sample from Amazon, and I do think I'd like a copy for notes. I finished the book in about a day ;) I've told my son to share assignments for me to look over and that I can discuss it with him. I listened to the intros (two of them) and the interview with the author afterward, which was very interesting as well. I do feel a little awkward with some of it (discussions of rape) but as the author points out, it really does need to be able to be discussed, and what expectations we should have for our boys.

Just general notations ... first person present tense, so it's almost like the reader is experiencing everything in the moment through the MCs eyes. No chapters, but there are headings, as while chronological for the most part (with flashbacks to reveal the past) - it seems to be organized a bit by topics. Very descriptive, lots of unique metaphors/similes. The descriptions of people were also different ...The Basketball Pole, Mr. Neck, Hairwoman, Errant Student. The dialog was very unique was well. Sometimes it was just buried within a paragraph, but much of it was written more like a play. For example ...
Mr Neck : "sit"
Me: _____
The blank line a note to her NOT speaking. This reminded me just a little of the book After Zero|Christina Collins (another girl who has stopped speaking ... I don't remember much more about the book besides that basic premise. Another recent read was Whisper (Whisper, #1)|Lynette Noni - another girl who won't speak, although there was a very paranormal premise there).

Lots of humor here - a few in Espanol, and regarding the school mascot (we are the hornets, the horny horny hornets ... I had my earbuds in while doing some grocery shopping and almost laughed out loud at the store). Lots of seriousness and sadness too.

Good book.