Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Summary

     Speak tells the story of how incoming freshmen Melinda Sordino meets Andy Evans at a summer senior party.  Andy rapes Melinda; who initially calls 9-1-1; but ends up running home because she does not know what to say.  The police end up arriving at the party and break up the party while also arresting some in attendance. Melinda could not bring herself to tell anyone what had happened; and also no one asked her as well.  As the school year starts at Merryweather High School; Melinda is seen as an outcast because of her calling the police at the party.  Because of her being shunned; Melinda goes silent and goes into a depression.  She is able to make a friend with Heather; who is a new girl at the school; but ends up being ditched for the popular group.  Melinda’s depression only gets worse, and she ends up skipping school and withdrawing from her parents and other adults.  Slowly, she does become friends with her lab partner who encourages Melinda to speak up for herself.  Towards the end of the school year, Melinda is able to tell her ex-best friend who was going to prom with Andy.  Andy seeks retaliation on Melinda by attacking her; but Melinda is able to break free and get help.  Melinda’s status as an outcast changes and she is able to tell what happened and in essence sets herself free.  

Commentary on Strengths

     Speak is a young adult book by Laurie Halse Anderson.  It is a contemporary realistic fiction novel that deals with the topic of rape and the aftermath when someone decides to keep the details to themselves.  This book is great for young girls to see what can occur if they keep a secret such as rape to themselves.  What can occur to them emotionally if they do not seek help and guidance.  This book is characterized as a problem novel, as it deals with a weak character who gains the strength to overcome her past with adult guidance.  The themes of the story are that of identity and finding one’s voice.  This book has been acknowledged with many awards such as the 2000 Michael Printz Honor Book; being part of the Texas Tayshas Reading List; and the 2000 Golden Kite Award Winner to name a few.  

Readers also enjoyed Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman; A Step from Heaven by An Na; True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff; The First Part Last by Angela Johnson; and Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

Additional books by the author are Wintergirls; Fever 1973; Chains; Twisted; and Catalyst

Teachers can find ideas for using this book in their lesson plans at https://www.varsitytutors.com/englishteacher/speak-lesson-plans

Anderson, L. H. (2011). Speak. New York: Square Fish.

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