Speak: The Graphic Novel

"Carroll, well-known for her horror comics, does an excellent job of bringing the vignettes of Anderson’s novel to the graphic format. With spellbinding artwork, this exceptional adaptation masterfully does justice to its source material while adding new depth and nuance."—Booklist (starred review)

"This potent retelling of the modern classic Speak blends words and images to create magic: a new representation of a teen whose voice is ripped from her, the battles she must wage to find it again, and the triumph of finally being able to speak out. Carroll’s grayscale artwork perfectly depicts the starkness of Melinda’s depression through strong ink lines and striking panels that rely on pencil and charcoal textural effects for the backgrounds. The characters are distinct and the action flows naturally; it is amazing how closely this version evokes the style and feeling of the original."—School Library Journal (starred review)

"Anderson’s timeless and important tale of high school sexual assault and its aftermath undergoes a masterful graphic novel transformation.Carroll’s stark black-and-white illustrations are exquisitely rendered, capturing the mood through a perfectly calibrated lens. With the rise of women finding their voices and speaking out about sexual assault in the media, this reworking of the enduring 1999 classic should be on everyone’s radar . . . Powerful, necessary, and essential."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"In this new graphic novel adaptation of Anderson’s Speak (rev. 9/99)—a powerful narrative of a freshman’s year of self-preservation after a brutal sexual assault—artist Carroll starkly renders protagonist Melinda’s pain and healing in black and white, expertly deploying visual perspective and tension to sharpen the emotional impact . . . Art becomes a means of expression for her, making the graphic novel format especially resonant with the original theme . . . will give even longtime devotees a new way to experience Melinda’s story."—Horn Book (starred review)

"Strong lines, overlapping panels and clever use of blank space show Carroll's skill in creating Melinda's stifling, near-silent world. Speak: The Graphic Novel is hypnotizing and heart-breaking, with the kind of empowering finish that unshackles protagonist and readers alike."—Shelf Awareness (starred review)