Speak

Speak
By Laurie Halse Anderson

224p
Puffin
ISBN-10: 0142407321
ISBN-13: 978-0142407325


Annotation:
A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school.

Summary:

Perhaps one of the most compelling and haunting young adult novels ever written. Due to mysterious event that occurred near the end of summer Melinda is finding it harder and harder to speak. At times she complains that her throat hurts, or that her lips are sore, until she practically becomes mute. She has become sullen and withdrawn, her parent are always working and all of her friends have abandoned her, her only ally is the art teacher. Through his makeshift assignments Melinda slowly begins to lower her shields but will it be quick enough or will her silence be her death.

This novel as a level of depth that has withstood the test of time, told with a style that was unlike any other Anderson has created a work that will astonish teenagers, and adults alike. It is only after Melinda reveals all that had occurred at the end of summer bash can we as readers truly appreciate the depth of her revelation. Quite simply this is a novel about the abuses a teenage can suffer through and more importantly the ones they can inflict on themselves.

Venomous

Venomous
By: Christopher Krovatin

336p
Ginee Seo Books

ISBN-10: 1416924876
ISBN-13: 978-1416924876

Annotation:
High school junior Locke, must deal with his emotionally driven violent outbursts before they endanger his family and force him to lose his friends


Summary:
Locke Vinetti has been dealing with violent outbursts or as he calls it the Venom for as long as he can remember, he has become a social pariah and that suites him just fine. However, all of that changes when he becomes involved with a group of friends known as the Tarot, in which each member is represented by a tarot card. Now he is accepted by his friends (anger issues and all), and has even managed to find himself a girlfriend.

This novel is told with alternating chapters one focusing on Locke and the other on his super powered alter-ego “Blacklight”. However, once the Venom causes trouble between Locke and the rest of the Tarot, Locke must look inside himself and find a way to control his inner demons. This novel is extremely weird, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Teens will be able to relate with Locke and his alter-ego and want to see him overcome his anger. The novel does touch on the ideas of the consequence-free boozing sex and drugs, however that is not the main premise of the novel and teens will appreciate the harsh realities and realistic storyline of a teen handling and controlling his anger.