Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Laurie Halse Anderson. (1999). Speak. Hodder Children’s Books. ISBN 9780374371524

Laur

PLOT SUMMARY

In this novel, Laurie Halse Anderson writes the story about Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman
who becomes an outcast due to a traumatic event. While at a party, Melinda called the police and 

nobody knew the exact reason. Eventually, in the story Melinda reveals that she was raped at that 

party and forced herself not to reveal this to anyone. Living with this traumatic event in silence and 

not talking about it, has caused such torment in her life and mental health.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This heartbreaking, painful story is about Melinda Sordino, a freshman at Merryweather High. It is painful to read how Melinda is being hated at school and all for the wrong reasons. Melinda did call the police at a party and caused it to shutdown, but it is so sad that none of her friends or school mates don't stop to think, why or what could have happened for her to call the police in the first place. Then heartbreaking when Melinda reveals that she was raped at that party and that was the real reason she called the police. High school is such a difficult time, let alone going through a traumatic event and tormenting yourself about the situation, and being public enemy number one. Eventually Melinda speaks the truth, but only after another confrontation. 

I found myself relating to this novel, because I know exactly how it feels to be harassed at school, and everyone seeing you in a different light. Many did not know me, but they only knew what people would say about me. I can only imagine how Melinda's mental breakdowns were.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. . . . Yet Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain and holds readers’ empathy. . . . But the book’s overall gritty realism and Melinda’s hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.”

—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.”

—The Horn Book, Starred Review

“A frightening and sobering look at the cruelty and viciousness that pervade much of contemporary high school life, as real as today’s headlines. . . . The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn . . . a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Pointer Review

CONNECTIONS

"I recommend this book for 9th grade language arts class. It’s an easy read with lots of topics for discussion and projects. A student can get a variety of topics for an argument paper."

- Written by: Roberta Yamamoto

 

AWARDS

• A Michal L. Printz Honor Book
• A National Book Award Finalist
• An Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist
• A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
• Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award
• An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults