Speak

Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Adolescent Fiction
Puffin Books, 2001

Summary: The novel opens with Melinda Sordino on the bus the first day of her 9^th grade year. She is narrating the experience, and from the opening minutes, it is obvious that she is an outcast in this environment. Melinda had not always been an outcast among her peers, but this changed at an end of summer party when she called the police and one of the more popular boys was arrested.

The novel goes on for chapters before it is revealed that Melinda had been drinking at the party, and she was raped by one of the jocks who for a long time she could only refer to as IT. Even though she called the police, Melinda got scared and ran, and she had not told anyone what happened to her.

The isolation seen from the opening scene gets worse and worse at school. A new student forces her way into Melinda’s world in the beginning, and just as she begins to depend on this relationship, even that friend betrays and abandons her. At home Melinda parents are so self involved and overworked that they don’t see the changes and obvious signs of depression in their daughter. Melinda’s only refuge is in art class where her eccentric art teacher challenges her to express herself through her art.

Melinda is tortured during the year by Andy (IT) who regularly makes his presence known; touching her and whispering in her ear while all the while dating her ex-best friend. Still Melinda doesn’t speak of what has happened to her. When Melinda finally does reveal her story, Andy attacks her again and Melinda fights back. In the end the truth is revealed. Andy is seen clearly by his peers, and Melinda begins to tell her story to her art teacher. The reader is left hopeful that she will have a new and better experience in the days to come.

Themes: Acceptance and peer relationships; Finding self and a voice; Survival and overcoming adversity; Family relationships; Love, sex and boundaries

Rationale For Use: This novel is a well written realistic look at what our teens deal with daily. The humor in her character descriptions of the teachers as well as the genuine expression of feelings related to all of her struggles is bound to appeal to our students who above all want us to “Keep it Real” This novel is powerful. It’s content is explicit, and some would not agree that this book is meant for an adolescent audience. However, the students of today are the ones facing these issues from underage drinking and date rape to the struggle to fit in the world they must survive. Through reading Speak, they too could find a voice and the help they need.

The novel is an easy read with a print size that will appeal to all readers in my class.

Content Area Connections: If done with seniors, the novel could easily be connected with government and the discussion of laws. In the novel, Andy is not legally punished for his crimes against Melinda. The students could hold a mock trial, and give some real closure to Melinda’s ordeal.

Possible Problems or Concerns: The only real concern with this novel is the harsh view of life presented. The content surrounding the rape and following attack is explicit and not for all adolescents. However. as a parent, I chose to read this novel with my 9^th grade son because I felt there were issues that he needed to see from the stand point of a young woman who had been violated. All young men and women need to understand that date rape is real and it is a crime.

~Kim Martin