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Lucy: Speak Out!

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Bossy? Crabby? Or a heroine for the ages? Join the unstoppable Lucy van Pelt and her gang in this classic comic-strip collection!In this delightful collection of classic Peanuts comics for young readers, Lucy rallies her friends to speak out for equal rights for women. Between social causes and dropping fly balls in the outfield, Lucy decides to write a biography of Beethoven, much to Schroeder’s dismay.Meanwhile, life in the Peanuts gang is as hilarious as Woodstock takes up farming, Peppermint Patty struggles to make the grade, and Charlie Brown’s rotten luck lands him in the hospital. You won’t want to miss this edition of outstanding Peanuts fun.“Schulz’s masterpiece remains . . . relevant and funny for all ages generation after generation.” —Good Comics for Kids, a School Library Journal Blog

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2019

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About the author

Charles M. Schulz

3,024 books1,636 followers
Charles Monroe Schulz was an American cartoonist, whose comic strip Peanuts proved one of the most popular and influential in the history of the medium, and is still widely reprinted on a daily basis.
Schulz's first regular cartoons, Li'l Folks, were published from 1947 to 1950 by the St. Paul Pioneer Press; he first used the name Charlie Brown for a character there, although he applied the name in four gags to three different boys and one buried in sand. The series also had a dog that looked much like Snoopy. In 1948, Schulz sold a cartoon to The Saturday Evening Post; the first of 17 single-panel cartoons by Schulz that would be published there. In 1948, Schulz tried to have Li'l Folks syndicated through the Newspaper Enterprise Association. Schulz would have been an independent contractor for the syndicate, unheard of in the 1940s, but the deal fell through. Li'l Folks was dropped from the Pioneer Press in January, 1950.
Later that year, Schulz approached the United Feature Syndicate with his best strips from Li'l Folks, and Peanuts made its first appearance on October 2, 1950. The strip became one of the most popular comic strips of all time. He also had a short-lived sports-oriented comic strip called It's Only a Game (1957–1959), but he abandoned it due to the demands of the successful Peanuts. From 1956 to 1965 he contributed a single-panel strip ("Young Pillars") featuring teenagers to Youth, a publication associated with the Church of God.
Peanuts ran for nearly 50 years, almost without interruption; during the life of the strip, Schulz took only one vacation, a five-week break in late 1997. At its peak, Peanuts appeared in more than 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries. Schulz stated that his routine every morning consisted of eating a jelly donut and sitting down to write the day's strip. After coming up with an idea (which he said could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours), he began drawing it, which took about an hour for dailies and three hours for Sunday strips. He stubbornly refused to hire an inker or letterer, saying that "it would be equivalent to a golfer hiring a man to make his putts for him." In November 1999 Schulz suffered a stroke, and later it was discovered that he had colon cancer that had metastasized. Because of the chemotherapy and the fact he could not read or see clearly, he announced his retirement on December 14, 1999.
Schulz often touched on religious themes in his work, including the classic television cartoon, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), which features the character Linus van Pelt quoting the King James Version of the Bible Luke 2:8-14 to explain "what Christmas is all about." In personal interviews Schulz mentioned that Linus represented his spiritual side. Schulz, reared in the Lutheran faith, had been active in the Church of God as a young adult and then later taught Sunday school at a United Methodist Church. In the 1960s, Robert L. Short interpreted certain themes and conversations in Peanuts as being consistent with parts of Christian theology, and used them as illustrations during his lectures about the gospel, as he explained in his bestselling paperback book, The Gospel According to Peanuts, the first of several books he wrote on religion and Peanuts, and other popular culture items. From the late 1980s, however, Schulz described himself in interviews as a "secular humanist": “I do not go to church anymore... I guess you might say I've come around to secular humanism, an obligation I believe all humans have to others and the world we live in.”

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5 stars
288 (64%)
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115 (25%)
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33 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Schizanthus Nerd.
1,317 reviews305 followers
March 10, 2019
Lucy has been one of my favourite Peanuts characters for over thirty years (Geez, I’m old!). I loved her so much as a kid that I completed a cross stitch design of her sitting behind her infamous “Psychiatric Help” sign when I was about ten and I still have it.

While it was inevitable that I’d already know some of these comics I was pleasantly surprised so many were new to me. This collection of comics felt so decadent because, unlike the comics I had as a kid, it’s in colour!

Lucy writes a book about Beethoven, Sally writes a story for school about Santa Claus and his rain gear, Snoopy barks up the wrong tree, Woodstock dances up a storm, Charlie Brown goes to the emergency room and Eudora made me crave marshmallow sundaes and pizza.

My favourite Lucy comic in this collection was:
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Peppermint Patty’s classroom conversations are always priceless and there were plenty to enjoy, including this gem:
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Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to smile my way through these comics. I’m already looking forward to the next Peanuts collection.
Profile Image for Holly.
218 reviews73 followers
February 24, 2019
There is nothing quite as satisfying as reading a Peanuts comic strip. This collection, titled Lucy: Speaks Out, features many Lucy comics in which she is interacting with others from the gang. There are comics featuring Lucy and Schroeder, Lucy and Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus, Lucy and Snoopy, etc. But if Lucy Van Pelt is not one of your favorites, don’t worry as there are many strips without her, some of which feature Peppermint Patty and Marcie, Linus and Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown and his sister Sally, etc. There is something for everybody in this volume of Peanut comics.

There are a few in which Lucy is in her Psychiatrist booth and one of my favorites has Charlie Brown seeking help. Lucy tells him that Life is like a game and sometimes you win and other times you’ll lose. Charlie Brown’s response is classic — I’ll be happy if I make the playoffs!

There is nothing like Charles Schultz’s humor - it is just so witty and clever. In another favorite of mine, Snoopy is trying to cheer up a depressed Woodstock. Snoopy suggests he get a girlfriend and maybe he would find one if he joined a worm group! I love the one in which Lucy offers Charlie Brown some smart advice — It’s wrong to be worrying about tomorrow and instead, we should focus on enjoying today. Of course, Charlie Brown has a different take — No, that’s giving up plus I’m still hoping that yesterday will get better!

There are quite a few comics that have continuing storylines over multiple strips. One features Snoopy with his beagle scouts (Woodstock and his friends, who we find out are named Bill, Conrad and Oliver) are stuck in a snowstorm. In another strip, Snoopy takes the beagle scouts to visit his brother Spike. Another theme over multiple strips features Snoopy in various roles — Snoopy the Flying Ace battling the Red Baron Blackjack Snoopy, world famous riverboat gambler, and Snoopy as a slithering python. Finally, there is a delightful continuing story in which Woodstock buys a farm and he is pictured on a tiny little tractor. Trouble ensues when his farm overlaps with Lucy’s garden project.

The only negative I can say about this book is that it ended! This is a fabulous collection which is sure to make you smile and laugh while sometimes pondering some universal truths.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Bridget.
2,789 reviews132 followers
February 22, 2019
I’ve been a “Peanuts” fan since I was a child, so I jumped at the chance to read “Lucy: Speak Out! (PEANUTS AMP Series Book 12)” , a delightful collection of classic “Peanuts” comics.

There was absolutely no doubt that I was going to love reading this collection. As well as Lucy, all of my favourite characters are included - Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Woodstock, Linus, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Schroeder, Spike, and Marcie.

I often found myself giggling as I read through the tales of the gang. In typical “Peanuts” fashion, this was a brilliant contemplation of life and there were many pearls of wisdom. Despite the title, it is not all about Lucy, although I’m sure she would wish that it was! This is a superb collection of comics that I absolutely adored and I know that all other “Peanuts” fans will love it, too.

{Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
Profile Image for Prin.
215 reviews49 followers
February 28, 2019
Who doesn’t know about the comics Peanuts?? It seems to me like everyone grew up reading the comics strips in the Sunday paper. This is why I was really excited to revisit this classic, especially since Lucy is on the headliner. She may be the youngest strong female character I’ve ever read in a comics strip. She is full of self-confidence but still fun to be with.

All of the characters are so imaginative that it’s a joy to read about their antics. They are the cutest group of friends. I am pleased to find that it’s all still very funny to me. It’s the type of comics that has intelligent punch lines more than laugh-out-loud jokes. It uses humor to address relevant topics to society and gender roles. I also loved the trivia included at the end of the book. It makes you appreciate the comics strip more as you know about its place in history. Pick this up if you are looking for a quick, wholesome read!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bunny .
2,396 reviews116 followers
March 6, 2019
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Peanuts is a comic that truly stands the test of time.



Whether you're just discovering it, or revisiting it with nostalgia decades after you first read it, these comics are hilarious, silly, poignant and just down right fun. We have all the classic situations here, from Lucy kicking Schroeder's piano, Patty and Marcie's dysfunctional relationship, Charlie Brown being hit with far too many fly balls.

And of course, Lucy moving the football before Charlie Brown can kick it. Except this time, she actually holds it still and lets him go.



Reminder for the next time someone says Lucy was a brat. She had her reasons!
Profile Image for ❤SanaReads❤.
1,223 reviews67 followers
February 26, 2019
4,5 Lucy stars!

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I am a huge Peanuts fan, but nothing and I mean nothing compares to Lucy. I grew up loving her, drawing her face all over my books and bedroom walls. In this volume we see different hilariously funny aspects of Lucy.

I received a copy of this comic through #Netgalley and volunteered to read and review it.
Profile Image for Ryan.
5,754 reviews33 followers
April 30, 2019
I love the Peanuts cartoons. However, I feel the way this series of books is divided into a specific character, in this case Lucy, just loses the story behind each strip. If the book was full panels in chronicle order there would be an overarching story that is lost when just strips of Lucy are put on display.
Profile Image for Didi.
417 reviews
March 23, 2019
Reading Peanuts reminded me of Sunday. Both my father and I will be reading the papers; him reading the news section and me reading the comics. In my book, nothing can go wrong with Peanuts in your life (shelf).
Profile Image for Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive).
2,497 reviews57 followers
March 17, 2019
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

With Peanuts, you know you're going to have a good time. While we were fans of Peanuts at home, I never read much of the comics when I was younger. Thus, I'm having a great time reading many of them for the first time.

This volume focuses around Lucy, who is loud at the best of times and definitely in this one. As per usual, I much liked Woodstock. There is also some social commentary about gender equality which remains a hot topic still.

Would recommend!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Yai.
112 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
I love Snoopy and all the gang. This book made me smile and laugh. Schulz almost always wrote about social issues in his Peanuts comics, this one isn't an exception. How they talk about the rights and the equality of women and men in sports is something that should be discussed in more books, besides the everyday struggles of those characters that we know and love. I know this book is intended to be for kids, but because of that I think it was important and excellent to talk about it, so kids would think about that subject from the start. Everyone should read this book, no matter the age, because (not only this editon) they discuss important stuff, but it is a good book to relax, wind down and remember how good where Charlie Brown and his gang and how they went through things together and overcome them too. I took a star (actually half a star) because the format of the book runs slow and have blank spaces (at least when I read it). I love Lucy, I have always identified with her and Sally, and in this book Sally, Peppermint and Lucy are the stars which I loved.
Profile Image for Barbara.
15k reviews316 followers
March 11, 2019
Although the Lucy van Pelt referred to in the title doesn't appear in every comic panel in this collection, she appears in several. Fans of Charles M. Schulz will be happy to see his work receiving attention once again through this collection, which should appeal to a young audience. There's good old Charlie Brown, his friend Linus, and Snoopy, of course, and plenty of scenes that take place at school and next to Schroeder's piano as Lucy never stops trying to get her would-be boyfriend to pay attention to her. As was the cartoonist's habit, some of the strips are innocent and playful while others ponder weightier, philosophical issues. Reading this book brought me to many happy Sunday afternoons spent reading the comics pages in the newspaper and then collecting my own Peanuts books from the book orders my teacher would send off, giving students a chance to amass inexpensive books for their own library. These strips seem to have as much appeal now as they did way back then.
Profile Image for Meghan.
2,474 reviews
February 28, 2019
This book was received as an ARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

We have a lot of fans of the Peanuts Charlie Brown comics and they when we ask who their favorite is, it's always Lucy because of her dominant personality and her ambitious attitude to win Schroeder. They are always a riot to read and see some new cartoons in print format and not just on TV and in the movies. This compliation was very hysterically funny that left my dying of laughter and I know our readers are bound to love it.

We will consider adding this title to our graphic novel collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
Profile Image for Wayne McCoy.
4,298 reviews32 followers
July 27, 2022
'Lucy: Speak Out!' by Charles Schulz is a collection of classic comics focusing on Lucy Van Pelt, but other characters get featured as well.

Lucy has her purple beanbag chair to sulk in, and Peppermint Patty has Marcie to jump start her brain in class. Snoopy is perpetually Snoopy.

Featuring a set of comics written in the late 1970s to support Title IX, and with an accompanying essay at the end, this is not only a fun collection but has some nice history as well.

I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this title.
Profile Image for Catherine Yezak.
381 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2019
This is Lucy and the rest of the female Peanuts characters at their finest. It is well worth the read, if only to reminisce about the original characters. Mr. Schultz had a way of taking on political topics head on with a lot of humor. Ever present is Lucy and her attitude towards what females are capable of.

Peppermint Patty and Marcie also have their turn in the strips. I especially appreciated the More To Explore pages at the end of the book. This collection reminds us how far women have come and it introduces the struggle to the next generation.
Profile Image for Paul Franco.
1,374 reviews12 followers
May 6, 2019
Is there really anything left to be said? They’re Peanuts comic strips. After doing collections loosely based on topics like dancing, these feature a certain character, though in this case Lucy is not in every plotline.
Funniest: Santa Claus and his rain gear.
I will never forgive for “barking up the wrong tree.” “Flaw in the ointment” wasn’t any better.
Never knew Marcie had a crush on Chuck.
Find out what happens when Lucy DOESN’T pull the football away. . .
At the end there’s a section on the author’s support of women’s sports.
Profile Image for B.W. Ginsburg.
Author 13 books25 followers
January 14, 2022
Once again, Schultz does not disappoint. I loved reading this book and as a writer, was happy to see that some of the comics included Woodstock and Lucy typing away at their stories.

In addition to the cute and funny comics, I also enjoyed the facts about Schultz and his writing at the end of Lucy: Speak Out. It displayed the inner workings of the author and artist - something I find extremely interesting.

If you love Peanuts and learning a little as well, you’ll love Lucy: Speak Out. As always, Schultz creates something for both kids and adults to enjoy.
Profile Image for Jenn.
611 reviews
February 10, 2019
Lucy is standing up for equal rights for women, Woodstock takes up farming, Peppermint Patty is having trouble with schoolwork, Charlie Brown's bad luck lands him in the hospital, and Snoopy's just having a good ol' time. Peanuts comics are always a joy to read and they always bring a smile to my face. It doesn't matter how old you are, pick up a copy! There's something in here for everyone.

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an ARC.
Profile Image for Brenda.
236 reviews10 followers
May 13, 2019
Love Lucy and the rest of the Peanuts Gang!

Peanuts never disappoints. Although the focus is on Lucy, the rest of the Peanuts gang gets their fair share of the limelight in this engaging set of comics. Charles Schulz was genius at helping us learn things about ourselves and others in entertaining yet thoughtful ways.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
844 reviews24 followers
September 2, 2021
I needed a fun light read on a rough ay and as usual The Peanuts gang never fails to make me laugh and remind one of simple, but clean morals. Whether written by Charles Schultz or another Schultz. These books lift the spirit in cute and clean ways. Great fine with Zen like lessons on how to live around others. Beautiful.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,170 reviews140 followers
December 20, 2022
#LucySpeakOutPeanutsAmpSeriesBook12 #NetGalley




Such nostalgia since I grew up reading the comics in the newspaper and watching the Peanuts on television and reading their books too.

Always outspoken, Lucy decides to really speak out for women's rights in this book.

Always a good time, spending time with the Peanuts gang.


4****


Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to give an honest review.
Profile Image for Robin Lux.
53 reviews1 follower
December 24, 2025
Charlie Brown

I was challenged to read a graphic novel. I am not really a fan of this genre, I find it to be a glorified comic book, something my students really don’t know what that is. So I chose Charlie Brown, something I knew. Charles Schultz is a genius and he still gives me a good chuckle all these years later.
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,273 reviews31 followers
October 11, 2019
This Peanuts collection is Lucy Van Pelt focused, as she is featured in the majority of the pages as she takes a stand for women's rights in sports, and various other issues. The rest of the gang is here as well in this assorted collection of some of Charles M. Schulz's most memorable strips.
Profile Image for HAROLD FRANK PARKER.
168 reviews3 followers
October 8, 2023
Speak Out for Peanuts

Charles Schulz was an advocate for sports for both men and women. Thus his characters carry on the fight. This small volume is a fear example and easily recommends itself. And I recommend it to all.!!
Profile Image for Melissa Borsey.
1,890 reviews38 followers
February 9, 2019
A PEANUTS classic! I never get tired of Charlie Brown and the gang. An excellent book for every age! I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Profile Image for BernieMck.
618 reviews27 followers
March 25, 2019
I have always liked peanuts, and I guess I always will.
Profile Image for Amy.
683 reviews35 followers
February 27, 2020
Classic Peanuts with restored, colorful images
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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