Speak, an Imprint of Penguin Group -- ©2002 -- tpbNew York -- 233pp
ISBN: 0-14-240001-7
A graduating high schooler anxiously awaits news from her college of choice, MIT, while the female school bully moves into her home after a fire decimates the bully's residence.
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This is very typical "Young Adult" fare, with every emotion and act being handled with high drama. Everything could lead to the end of the world in this girl's mind.
I don't enjoy this kind of book, but I understand its place in juvenile literature. It feeds a certain kind of reader.
That aside, I didn't care for much of this book. The premise was slippery at best. A girl smart enough to think she can get in to MIT but doesn't apply to any other schools. A girl that smart, but who lies about applying to other schools. A girl that smart, athletic, and strong enough of nerve to mouth off to a bully who takes on the entire football team, but doesn't apply to more than one college ... and lies about it. Hmm. Doesn't fit for me.
The aspect of the girl being a runner and one who often runs as a way to spend time thinking, was never explored properly or used efficiently.
I liked being surprised that the little boy was actually the son (not the brother that we expected) of the female bully. And the son by the bully's father! A great twist and character defining opportunity.
Having the boy die seemed totally unnecessary, even to create high drama for a YA book.
I wouldn't recommned this, even to those who like YA books.
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