Speak

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0-374-37152-0.

SUMMARY
It is the summer before her freshman year and Melinda is invited to an “end of the summer” party. Unaware that attending this party will dramatically change her life, Melinda attends the party with her friend, Rachel. At the party, Melinda meets a senior, Andy Evans, who takes her to a secluded area and rapes her. Melinda calls 911. The police show up not only breaking up the party but also arresting several for underage drinking. Unsure and scared, Melinda leaves the party, walking home alone. Melinda tells no one of the incident, not even her parents. With no one to talk to and friends, who are all blaming her for calling the police; Melinda faces a difficult freshman year.

The story unmistakably depicts a tragic life event with supporting events that are all probable and true to life. The characters, especially the protagonist, whose struggle throughout the story is evident, are genuine characters living and breathing within our schools today. The award winning qualities of the story are magnificently displayed through the author’s style. The author meticulously exposes the strengths and weaknesses of each character, allowing the reader to also feel the depression and loneliness that Melinda feels, the selfishness of her once friend, Rachel (aka Rachelle), the arrogance of Andy Evans, and the enthusiasm of the Mr. Freeman, the art teacher.

The author’s style brings authenticity to the story through the creation of the character’s dialogue and the language of the story, both of which accurately and appropriately reflect the way children at that age think and talk even today. The book’s setting focuses primarily on school, allowing the author to tie into the plot issues pertaining to acceptance by peers, bullying, young adult relationships, young adult relationships with parents, gender, culture, and how a parent being unemployed can affect a family. The author also incorporates the home environment setting, displaying how Melinda interacts with her parents and furthermore, how her parents interact with each other. By merging both settings, the author allows the reader a much deeper understanding of how the actions and characters are affected.

The story’s theme; as controversial as many parents may argue it to be, definitely has a personal resonance for the child reader. The theme and issues, which emerge are all meaningful and significant to a child reader. As serious as the act of rape is, the author’s styles allows the theme to naturally flow into the story from the perspective of the protagonist. The author creates the tone and mood of the book as one of seriousness by inviting the reader into Melinda’s thoughts and her emotions.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Top-10 Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults
Edgar Allan Poe Award finalist
IRA Young Adult Choice
Junior Library Guild Selection
Michael L. Printz Honor Book (American Library Association)
National Book Award Finalist
New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
New York Times Bestseller List
SCBWI Golden Kite Award
YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults
Booklist Editors’ Choice
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book
Fanfare, The Horn Book’s Honor List
Los Angeles Times Award finalist
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Booklist Top 10 First Novels (1999)
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year (1999)

EDITORIAL REVIEWS
“The book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.’” --Publishers Weekly

“Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” --Starred Review, Booklist

“An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.” --Starred Review, The Horn Book

CONNECTIONS-Activities
1. Write an essay on a time in your life when you stood up for what was right.
2. Research sexual harassment and write an essay.
3. Draw a picture of how you feel after you have finished reading Speak.