1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Halse Anderson, Laurie. 2006. SPEAK. New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN 0142407321
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In the summer right before her freshman year of high school, Melinda goes to a party. She is raped under a tree by a senior. After the rape occurred, she called the police intending to report the rape. However, people at the party thought that she called the police to break up the party. People at the party scattered and a few partygoers were arrested. Amidst the chaos, Melinda left the party and walked home to an empty house, never reporting the rape. Her friends and fellow classmates hate her for calling the police and are mean to her. Melinda is isolated at school, has a dysfunctional home life, has been raped, and has no one to talk to about it. She goes from an honor roll student to a troubled student and no one stops to ask her what is wrong. She acts out in self-destructive ways. As the story progresses, she is given an art assignment that requires her to make something that involves a tree. She struggles the whole year to figure a way to use the concept of a tree in her art project. Her former best friend, whom she still cares about, is about to date the senior who raped her. She finds the courage to tell her former best friend that she was raped. At first, the girl did not believe Melinda. However, after experiencing some inappropriate touching at the prom, she believed Melinda and was apologetic. The senior rapist was infuriated that Melinda spoke out and tried to rape her again. He was caught by the lacrosse team. Melinda’s reputation was restored, she completed her art project and received an A+, and realized how strong she was.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Laurie Halse Anderson’s writing is honest, witty, and direct. She writes about issues that are relevant to teens. This book brings to light many issues that should be openly discussed between teens, parents, and school personnel. Throughout the book, the school constantly changes its mascot because it could symbolize a potentially bad message: “Home of the Trojans didn’t send a strong abstinence message, so they have transformed us into the Blue Devils.” It is disturbing that the school’s concern is focused on the message its school mascot could be sending instead of what happens to make an honor student spiral down a path of self-destruction. School personnel are supposed to be trained to ask the right questions at the right time or at least try to help instead of simply labeling students as troublemakers. Also, the feelings of many rape victims are discussed. This book would be a great conversation starter for the difficult issue of rape and its effects on victims.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in THE HORN BOOK: “An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, SPEAK will hold readers from first word to last.”
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “A stunning first novel….Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain and holds readers’ empathy….Melinda’s hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.”
A Michael 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
A NEW YORK TIMES Best Seller
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Seller
An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Quick Pick
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year
A BOOKLIST Top Ten First Novel of 1999
A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL Best Book of the Year
A HORN BOOK Fanfare Title
Winner of eight state book awards-and a finalist for eleven
5. CONNECTIONS
*If you feel comfortable leading a discussion about rape, its effects on victims, and how a rape victim can reach out to get help, this is a book that encourages empathy, sharing, and critical thinking. Allow students ample time to discuss their thoughts and feelings.
*Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson:
Halse Anderson, Laurie. 2003. CATALYST. ISBN 0142400017
Halse Anderson, Laurie. 2008. TWISTED. ISBN 0142411841
Halse Anderson, Laurie. 2010. PROM. ISBN 1616864354
Halse Anderson, Laurie. 2009. WINTERGIRLS. ISBN 1101029196
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