Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak is a pillar of the Young Adult genre, and a trailblazer in how sexual assault is discussed with teen audiences. First published in 1999, Speak centers on high school freshman Melinda Sordino, who survives a traumatic incident at an end-of-summer party and nearly stops speaking in the aftermath. Through art, and the diary format of the novel, Melinda gathers the strength to speak up about what happened to her. Speak collected numerous accolades upon release, including a National Book Award nomination, a Printz Honor and multiple stints on the New York Times Best Seller list—not to mention the distinction of being one of the American Library Association’s most frequently banned/challenged books throughout the years.

This week, readers can experience Speak like never before, as publisher Farrar Straus Giroux releases Speak: The Graphic Novel, adapted to comics by Canadian cartoonist Emily Carroll. Carroll, best known for webcomics like His Face All Red, her Eisner Award-winning print collection Through the Woods and illustrations for the videogame Gone Home, worked closely with Anderson for several years to create a book that remains true to the spirit of the original novel, telling Melinda’s story in an accessible format for both new and returning readers. Paste is proud to share an exclusive excerpt of Carroll’s interior black-and-white art below. Speak: The Graphic Novel is on sale now.



Speak: The Graphic Novel Cover Art by Emily Carroll/ Courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)



Speak: The Graphic Novel Interior Art by Emily Carroll/ Courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)



Speak: The Graphic Novel Interior Art by Emily Carroll/ Courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)



Speak: The Graphic Novel Interior Art by Emily Carroll/ Courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)



Speak: The Graphic Novel Interior Art by Emily Carroll/ Courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)