I liked this ... different, although it had a bit of a similar feel to "Speak" (although Speak wasn't "verse" it still had the short "chapters" featuring different topics). I'd read Speak a couple years ago, and did a re-read for a current book club. I also read the graphic novel, watched the movie, and when I saw this memoir, I figured I should check it out. At the beginning of the 20th edition of the audiobook of speak, the author has a little verse at the beginning of the book, "Make Some Noise" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnqrnPtxrCY). That is not included in Shout, but has a very similar feel.

I went with the audiobook, the author narrating, but also had the ebook and physical book to look at. After listening, as I went through the text, everything was familiar, but I don't know that I could have given an easy "recap" of the read.  As a memoir ... sometimes there isn't the satisfactory "setting/characters/build of action/resolution" because, it's dealing with true events that don't necessarily fit a storyline the way fiction does. While I liked the audio, I feel like I probably need to do a slower read of the text myself, to note/highlight.

The presentation here (told in verse) is not my favorite. Listening to the audio, it doesn't really sound like "poetry" per se, free verse, no rhyme. It was really more like disjointed talking ... a little like Speak presents, although that was in novel form (but still unique with its dialog, "chapters" etc).  My only other experience with free verse (thus far) was Jason Reynolds [book:Long Way Down|22552026] ... which was more of a story (and I also listened, the checked out the physical book and the graphic novel). Jason Reynolds also gives an afterward in the 20th edition/audiobook of Speak. 

There were many references to Melinda (the MC is Speak), and to the book itself, and to the author's events around it. Another reviewer mentioned a couple of Anderson's other books were mentioned ... I haven't read her others, so that wasn't something I noticed. I do wonder if one could appreciate Shout, without having read Speak though. While this isn't a sequel, or even a companion, it is connected. 

I didn't LOVE it ... I don't know that I'll get the in-depth re-read done. That I'll buy a copy to keep, or recommend it to others. I am very glad I looked into it, and I plan to bring it to book club, to share, as we discuss Speak. If I ever discuss Speak with anyone else, I would bring this book up. This was written years after Speak ... but I totally could have seen much of written before, and being the inspiration for Speak (the actual experiences were).  

There were discussion questions at the end - I do always appreciate that. It often gives me a little something to think about that I might not have considered on my own. 

A little more explicit than Speak - there was proFanity and other phrases, depending on sensitivity.