Speak

By Laurie Halse Anderson

SUMMARY: Ninth-grader Melinda Sordino did something at an end of summer party that made her friends despise and ostracize her. She is an outcast where she once was a popular girl with friends and prospects. Melinda tells her story from the first day of school and gradually lets the reader in on the event that changed every aspect of her life. She had always been a good student, but no longer cares about academics, except for her art class. She has no friends except for the new girl at school and finds solace in the janitor’s closet that she has staked out as her own. Her parents seem concerned but have their own problems and can’t do much to help. Melinda seems resigned to her newfound unpopularity and invisibleness, but gradually finds her voice again, and finally lets everyone know that she has something very important to say.

PERSONAL REACTION: I felt such sympathy for Melinda throughout the book.  As an adult who got through high school and now teaches at the high school level, it made me sympathize with my students and all the crazy things they have to endure: peer pressure, difficult social situations, loneliness, parental expectations. It made me really think about kids and how tough things can be for them. Melinda’s art teacher turns out to be a positive force in her life and it reminded me that kids need to know that people care about their health, safety, and well-being

I think most students will be able to relate to many of the issues Melinda experiences. I think students will like the book because Melinda’s voice comes through clearly and easily.

CLASSROOM EXTENSION: Students will select a character from the novel and write journal entries about the events throughout the school year from the character’s point of view.