Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Lexile
- 690L
- Grade range
- Grades 8–11
- Age range
- Ages 13–17
- Pages
- 198
- First published
- 1999
- Genre
- YA Contemporary
- ISBN-13
- 9780312674397
About this book
Melinda Sordino starts 9th grade silenced by a trauma from a summer party. Anderson's novel is widely adopted in 8th-10th grade contemporary-literature units and is among PEN America's most-frequently banned titles of the 2022-2024 period.
Themes
- sexual assault
- trauma
- recovery
- isolation
- finding one's voice
Content notes
- rape
- depression
- self-harm
Common Sense Media recommends age 14+.
Where this book is assigned
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
- recommended· 9th gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 9-10 exemplar
- recommended· 9th grade · New Yorksource: NY Next Gen Learning Standards grade 9 aligned reading
Similar grade-level books
Common questions
- What grade level is Speak?
- Speak is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 8–11, with a Lexile measure of 690L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What is the Lexile level of Speak?
- Speak has a Lexile measure of 690L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
- What curricula assign Speak?
- Speak appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is Speak banned in schools?
- Speak has documented removals from at least one public-school district in 4 states (TX, MO, FL, PA) per PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. Policies vary by district.
- What themes does Speak explore?
- Central themes in Speak include sexual assault, trauma, recovery, isolation, finding one's voice. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.