Speak

Anderson, L. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Penguin Group, Inc.

Summary:

Melinda’s summer took a terrible turn after she was assaulted by a senior at a party. Panicked and unsure what to do, she picks up the phone and calls 911. Before the police arrive, she runs home, too afraid to tell anyone what really happened. At school, other students are hateful to her because they feel that she ruined the party by calling the police. No one knows what really happened to Melinda. Melinda spends most of her freshman year alone, with no friends, and in silence.  The secret weighs heavy on her throughout the school year as she struggles with just getting through each day. Her grades begin to fall, she becomes truant at school.  However, she can express herself in her art class.  She begins to break free of her silence towards the end.  She has an encounter with the guy that violated her, but this time she fights back.  Melinda seeks vindication, and her assault is made public.

Commentary/Connections to Textbook:

I truly loved this book. It is authentic and really captures the turmoil that a young girl goes through after an assault. Laurie Halse Anderson does an amazing job at writing about a sensitive subject and making the main character, Melinda, an inspiration.  It is heartfelt and emotional.  Rape is a sensitive subject that many do not like to speak about, yet too many teens fall victim to it each year. Students can identify with Melinda’s isolation and emotions. It is an easy read that will be hard to put down.

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