Now, I've read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson more than once, and I found plenty of good and awesome things about it. For one thing, the main protagonist, Melinda Sordino, sure is pretty cool, as well as relatable to those who are outsiders.

If I had to pick one or more than one scene(s) or quote(s) from the book as my favorite, I would choose these:

I am clanless. I wasted the last weeks of August watching bad cartoons. I didn't go to the mall, the lake, or the pool, or answer the phone. I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with.

I am Outcast. (p. 4)

It is the last day of Spring Break. My house is shrinking, and I feel like Alice in Wonderland. Afraid that my head might burst through the roof, I head for the mall. I have ten bucks in my pocket—what to spend it on? French fries—ten bucks' worth of french fries, ultimate fantasy. (p. 144)

"The last time I was here, they were doing clown faces. No such luck today," Ivy explains.

"Looks good, though," I say. "It's kind of spooky. Not creepy, but unexpected." I hand back the sketchbook.

Ivy pokes her pencil into her bun. "Good. That's what I'm trying for. That turkey-bone thing you did was creepy too. Creepy in a good way, good creepy. It's been months and I'm still thinking about it." (p. 145)

"You're better than you think you are," Ivy says. (p. 146)

We sit trading pencils. I draw a trunk, Ivy adds a branch, I extend the branch, but it is too long and spindly. I start to erase it, but Ivy stops me. "It's fine the way it is, it just needs some leaves. Layer the leaves and make them slightly different sizes and it will look great. You have a great start there."

She's right. (p. 146)

The first thing to go is the mirror. It is screwed to the wall, so I cover it with a poster of Maya Angelou that the librarian gave me. She said Ms. Angelou is one of the greatest American writers. The poster is coming down because the school board banned one of her books. She must be a great writer if the school board is afraid of her. Maya Angelou's picture watches me while I sweep and mop the floor, while I scrub the shelves, while I chase spiders out of the corners. I do a little bit of work every day. It's like building a fort. I figure Maya would like it if I read in here, so I bring a few books from home. (p. 50)

Maya Angelou watches me, two fingers on the side of her face. It is an intelligent pose. Maya wants me to tell Rachel. (p. 151)

I'm waiting for the clock to end the daily torture-by-algebra session when WHAMMO!—a thought slams into my head: I don't want to hang out in my little hidy-hole anymore. I look behind me, half expecting to see a sniggering back-row guy who beaned me with an eraser. Nope—the back row is struggling to stay awake. It was definitely an idea that hit me. (p. 191-192)

I head for my closet after school. I want to take the poster of Maya Angelou home, and I'd like to keep some of my tree pictures and my turkey-bone sculpture. The rest of the stuff can stay, so long as it doesn't have my name on it. Who knows, some other kids may need a safe place to run to next year. (p. 192)

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults. Also, I give it five stars (although ten stars would be even better). 😇🦅