Speaking up for SPEAK + Giveaway!

There is no doubt my post will be among so many that pop up on blogs and articles all over the internet, not just today, but within this week. I first heard about someone trying to take SPEAK away via twitter with the hastag #SpeakLoudly. Then I saw a link Kristi from The Story Siren had tweeted and I read it. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. For those that haven't read the article, click here.

I've never been in a situation like Melinda faces in SPEAK. I remember, back in 1999, when the book was first published picking it up from my high school library. I remember not being able to put it down during class. I remember taking it home and finishing it that night and being in tears because of this horrific heartbreaking story and knowing that anyone walking the halls in my school could have been going through the same thing Melinda did. I remember thinking how wonderful it was that there were authors out there that were willing to write something like this. Something so powerful to make this issue known.

I am from the same general area that Scroggins is targeting. To take a book out of this class, to tell parents and teachers that they aren't being Christian-like because they are allowing their children to know about sex is the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. It is beyond obvious to me that Scorggins did not really read SPEAK. If he did, he would have realized this is a book is no way or shape pornographic. It's actually sickening to even say that. This book is about hope. This is a book about a girl who is willing to go up against something she had no control over. Something that should not have happened to her in the first place. As someone who strongly believes in God, I am furious. To have someone, someone who claims to be such a Christian, slap judgement and say these accusations of this book has lit a fire under my butt.

So this is what I'm doing today. I am giving away 2 copies of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. GIVEAWAY CLOSED! I am purchasing them from the Book Depository which means as long as they deliver to your country, you can enter. The giveaway will be running until October 3rd. Depending on my bills situation, I might even give away more copies.

To enter to win one of the most powerful and profound books of my high school time, just leave a comment on this post with your email address. If you do not want to leave it here, please send me an email: justyourtypicalbookblog@hotmail.com

Tomorrow, I will be heading down to my public library to make sure a copy of SPEAK is there. If it isn't, I'm donating my personal copy.

Here is what author, Laurie Halse Anderson has said on the issue.

Here is what author, Myra McEntire, posted in defense of SPEAK. I have to say, it's one of the best things I've seen.

I also plan on tweeting anymore posts or articles I see via twitter so if you don't follow me, this is my  handle: @JYTBB. If you, my dear readers, have written your own post or are doing a giveaway please leave a comment so everyone can go check out your site!

♥amber