Did the book "Speak" deserve its honor award by the newbery commitee? Why or why not? Pros + Cons.?

Question

Did the book "Speak" deserve its honor award by the newbery committee? Why or why not? Pros + Cons.

This is an essay question I'm having some trouble answering because your answer can't be neutral.

Answer 1

I'm assuming you're referring to the book Speak written by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Her website lists the books awards and honors but the Newbery honor is not among them. Nor is it listed on the Newbery medal and honor winners site. I think you need to doublecheck your facts.

Awards

• Booklist - Top 10 First Novels of 1999

• amazon.com - Top 10 Teen Book of 1999 / Editor's Pick

• National Book Award Finalist

• Alloy.com - Book of the Month

• Parents' Guide to Children's Media - Award for Outstanding Achievement.

• The Horn Book's - Honor List.

• Bookreporter.com Top 10 Teen Books of 1999.

• School Library Journal - Best Book of the Year.

• New England Children's Booksellers Association - Fall Pick

• Junior Library Guild Selection Book

State

•2005 New York Reads Together book

• Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee (Maryland)

• California Young Reader Medal nominee

• Carolyn W. Field Award (Pennsylvania)

• Evergreen Young Adult Book Award (Washington)

• Garden State Teen Book Award (New Jersey)

• Heartland Award (Kansas)

• Iowa Teen Book Award nominee

• Kentucky Bluegrass Award

• Rhode Island Teen Book Award nominee

• South Carolina Young Adult Book Award

• Volunteer State Young Adult Book Award (Tennessee)



Bookseller and Media Recognition

• Booklist Editors’ Choice

• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

• Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book

• Fanfare, The Horn Book’s Honor List

• Los Angeles Times Award finalist

• Publishers Weekly Bestseller

In regards to the novel itself I believe Speak is worth all the attention it receives. It is an excellent book. A true must-read within the field of young adult literature. It is a complex novel that is powerfully told and well-developed.

Answer 2

I totally think the book deserved the awards! It delves into a subject that few teen books will attack. I particularly like how she develops the character. You don't know what happened exactly you just know that something made her unpopular with all of her friends.

It was refreshing to see something written in such a different way as Speak was. I think this is a must read for all teenage girls!!! And the boys.

Hope this helps.