In a high school with clearly divided clans, Melinda Sordino is clanless. She is an outcast. After calling the police and ruining a summer party, her friends have all abandoned her and even complete strangers in her new school hate her. The trouble is not restricted to the halls of her school either. Melinda is even having problems with her parents. What prompted Melinda to commit social suicide and call the police that night? Is her reclusiveness merely a typical stage for many teenagers transitioning into high school? The mystery unwinds in this novel as Melinda struggles to find her voice against her attacker. Melinda is a victim not only of rape but also of her silence. Only when she speaks out about the events of that night can Melinda begin to heal. Speak is an inspiring Young Adult novel through which Laurie Halse Anderson addresses a too-often silenced issue among teens. Melinda acts as a damaged yet delightfully sarcastic heroine who will encourage any reader to, at the very least, always speak up.
I read this book and saw the movie and I thought it was great! Unfortunately, Melinda's struggle is something that many teen girls face and the feelings of loss and isolation are relevant to almost all teens.
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