The original book was so good (see Speak review) that the reviewer was skeptical about a graphic novel version, but this is masterfully illustrated and written, and it’s just as difficult to put down as its predecessor. This is not a book designed to get reluctant readers to dip their toes into literature. It’s a compelling, rich, moving story in its own right. The original author, Laurie Halse Andersen, seeing a need to reach out to today’s tech-savvy readers, revised the book for a modern audience–these characters have cell phones and the Internet, which makes the bullying that goes on in the story that much worse. Andersen also addresses topics that have recently received more press, such as consent and harassment.

This is a book about rape–it’s not glorified in any way, and it’s not graphic. But there is disturbing violence depicted, and while the reader isn’t clear about the nature of the protagonist’s issues until pretty far into the book, the darkness of the topic permeates the story from the beginning. 

Emily Carroll’s fantastic illustrations are perfectly paired with Andersen’s story. Depression, despair, and creepy situations come through loud and clear. The entire book is black and white, and it really couldn’t be any other way. There is no color in the protagonist’s world.

Readers who loved Speak will be glad they picked up the graphic novel, and those new to the story will find themselves moved. One or both of these books should be required reading for today’s teens.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by First Second Books

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  1 religious exclamation; 5 mild obscenities; 7 derogatory names; 5 scatological words; 1 anatomical term. 

Violence/Gore:  A character repeatedly experiences bullying as she is shoved, pushed, tripped and has small, harmless items (e.g., wads of paper) thrown at her–no injuries; a character receives a paper cut–a drop of blood is shown; a frog is dissected–no gore; a character is seen cutting (scratch marks are shown–no gore); a character has an accident with a hand tool–no gore; roadkill is seen decomposing–some gore; a burn victim is described in some detail; a character is imagined with black holes for eyes multiple times; rape is mentioned (4 times); in an extended scene (14 pgs), a character is violently pushed, grabbed, and pinned against a countertop–she fights back, punching and kicking, then breaks a mirror and holds broken glass to her attacker’s throat, puncturing the skin–he is last seen with a bloody nose.

Sex/Nudity:  Condoms are mentioned; breasts are mentioned twice (non-sexual); girls are seen dressing in a locker room from behind; people are rumored to participate in sexual activity; virginity is mentioned; characters embrace–mutual consent (4 times); a character flirts (unwanted) with several people; nudity is mentioned in reference to art; in an extended scene (7 pgs) characters flirt, dance, hug and kiss, and then the male forces himself on the female–no nudity is shown, but the male is seen lying on top of the female; suggestive language is used; kissing is discussed (twice); characters are seen going into an empty room, holding hands–the male has his finger to his lips;  various references to unwanted sexual behavior seen in bathroom graffiti; a character touches another character’s breasts (unwanted) and moves suggestively against her; attempted rape (see violence).

Mature Subject Matter:

Family problems, bullying, self-harm, depression, racism, sexism, rape.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Underage drinking; 1 subtle drug reference.