Anderson, L. H. (2001). Speak. New York, NY: Puffin Books.
The summer before Freshman year is an exciting time for Melinda Sordino. She is going to a Senior party and happens to meet Andy Evans and her most exciting night becomes tragedy: he rapes her. Melinda, at a loss for what to do, calls the police but cannot bring up the words to speak, so she doesn't say anything and runs home. The police break up the party and now everyone, EVERYONE, seems to hate Melinda for it. They don't know why she called, although she is dying to say something to her friend Rachel, nothing will come out. She cannot find solace in her old friends who have now abandoned her, her parents who are distant, to teachers who swear she does it for attention, or even her new friend Heather who eventually leaves her too. It isn't until she befriends David, and gives her pain liberty to speak in the art she produces, that he encourages her to say something. In this novel Melinda is forced to deal with Evan once again when she finds courage to share her story with Rachel, and he attacks her in the janitor's closet. Her story comes out and everyone now hails her a hero. She shares her story with her teacher Mr. Freeman, and she is given a voice to speak.
Melinda's story is one that has become iconic in so many ways. It has been interwoven in classrooms for ages despite some backlash on the content. Teachers of upper grades would be able to share this novel with students, particularly 9th grade and above, to discuss the topics of rape, depression, isolation, relationships, friendships, and trust. Although the themes are difficult to discuss, it can give students the strength needed to share any experiences to an adult they trust, or it can also impact students who need it most.
I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars!
The summer before Freshman year is an exciting time for Melinda Sordino. She is going to a Senior party and happens to meet Andy Evans and her most exciting night becomes tragedy: he rapes her. Melinda, at a loss for what to do, calls the police but cannot bring up the words to speak, so she doesn't say anything and runs home. The police break up the party and now everyone, EVERYONE, seems to hate Melinda for it. They don't know why she called, although she is dying to say something to her friend Rachel, nothing will come out. She cannot find solace in her old friends who have now abandoned her, her parents who are distant, to teachers who swear she does it for attention, or even her new friend Heather who eventually leaves her too. It isn't until she befriends David, and gives her pain liberty to speak in the art she produces, that he encourages her to say something. In this novel Melinda is forced to deal with Evan once again when she finds courage to share her story with Rachel, and he attacks her in the janitor's closet. Her story comes out and everyone now hails her a hero. She shares her story with her teacher Mr. Freeman, and she is given a voice to speak.
Melinda's story is one that has become iconic in so many ways. It has been interwoven in classrooms for ages despite some backlash on the content. Teachers of upper grades would be able to share this novel with students, particularly 9th grade and above, to discuss the topics of rape, depression, isolation, relationships, friendships, and trust. Although the themes are difficult to discuss, it can give students the strength needed to share any experiences to an adult they trust, or it can also impact students who need it most.
I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars!
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