View STCC's Periodic Table of Banned Books

Speak

By Laurie Halse Anderson

"A traumatic event near the end of the summers has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school." - HELM

Why was this book challenged?

Banned book element tile

Reasons: Sexual Content, Violence, Profanity

According to the American Library Association, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has been “banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity."

Ways to read this book at STCC!

Print Book

Speak (print book availability)

eBook

eBook not available at STCC, please see other options below

Graphic Novel Adaptation

Speak: The Graphic Novel (print book availability)

Additional Resources and Accessibility

If you prefer to listen to your books, or if the print or eBook versions of this book are checked out at STCC, you have additional checkout options through Massachusetts public libraries. CW/MARS and Boston Public Library eCards will give you access to eBook and Audiobook versions of this book. You can also download the Libby app to listen to audiobooks on your smartphone. These resources are outside of STCC Library, please consult your local public library for any questions regarding these outside resources.

Check public libraries in Western Massachusetts via CW/MARS:

CW/MARS

Residents of Massachusetts can sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard, to access their digital materials such as eBooks and downloadable audiobooks. Follow the instructions on the BPL's website: