Just read an awesome book called Speak

I just finished an awesome book called Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. I think it was a choice for summer reading for freshmen and it certainly is a quick read. But it so captures the outcast kid in high school. The curious thing that I noticed, as a teacher, is that no one, not even Melinda's parents, notice that she's withdrawn and odd. I would think that a teacher or guidance counselor or somebody would have noticed. Anyway, very good read. There was a movie made of the book, ironically on Lifetime channel this past weekend (usually a channel I avoid like the plague). It changes the ending and some stuff, but seemed pretty good. I happened upon Orson Scott Card's take on the book and the film and find it interesting. Here's the link to what he has to say: http://www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/everything/2007-01-14.shtml. He also has some other odd things on that site as well, such as his aversion to eating at a place called Froggy Dog. Cool!