Young adult
Speak
Melinda starts high school as an outcast after calling the police at a summer party. She barely speaks, and finds a way to express herself through the art class she is assigned.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1999
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 224
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a short, honest novel about trauma and recovery with real emotional impact.
Skip this if you are sensitive to stories involving sexual assault.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Speak
- What is Speak about?
- Melinda starts high school as an outcast after calling the police at a summer party. She barely speaks, and finds a way to express herself through the art class she is assigned.
- Who should read Speak?
- Read it if you want a short, honest novel about trauma and recovery with real emotional impact. Skip it if you are sensitive to stories involving sexual assault.
- How long and how fast is Speak?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 224 pages, first published in 1999.
- Does Speak have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Sexual assault, Bullying, Mental illness.
- Can I borrow Speak for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Speak; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Speak?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Thirteen Reasons Why, The Bell Jar, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Speak
-
Thirteen Reasons Why
Another young adult novel about school and an assault, with a bleaker outlook.
-
The Bell Jar
An adult classic about a young woman's withdrawal and breakdown, told with sharp observation.
-
The Perks of Being a Wallflower A teen story where friendship and writing become part of healing.
Young adult
