Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

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6- Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult

Bibliography:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. Narrated by Mandy Siegfried et al., Audible, 2006. Audiobook.

ISBN-13 : 978-0312674397

Plot Summary:

Melinda, a self proclaimed outcast, is not having a very good high school experience. She is recovering from an incident that happened at a summer party that changed everything. As the year moves on, Melinda finds herself not only losing her friends and passing grades but also her voice. She finds comfort in an art assignment that challenges her to focus on what she is trying to avoid; everything below the surface. Will it be enough to get Melinda to speak her truth?

Analysis:

This is a very heavy book. As a mom of teenage girls it is hard to recognize parallels to real life, but the author does a fantastic job capturing the hopelessness a teenager can feel. Written in the point of view of the main character Melinda, the book sets the tone from the first sentence. She starts the year with brand new supplies and a stomachache. The reader can infer Melinda is anxious about high school but won’t know until after half way through the book exactly why she struggles. She has experienced a traumatic event and is carrying the weight of it alone. As she deals with what happened and having to see the monster that did it everyday Melinda loses her voice.

The author is able to keep the book humorous and readable even with the heavy subject matter. In a section called Cheerleaders, Melinda discusses the enigma that is the cheerleading squad. As she names the girls, she throws in some reindeer names that will surely get a laugh from the reader. Melinda is a witty girl and being inside her head makes you not only want to be her friend but also makes you hurt that she doesn’t have any.

Each section is titled in a very creative way, much like a hashtag. They are the main idea given in a witty way. Some examples are; Death by Algebra, Oprah, Sally Jesse, Jerry and me, Student Divided By Confusion Equals Algebra. This is just another way the author lightens the book.

I listened to the unabridged audiobook but then ordered the paperback for my girls to read. The narrator is a young female. She is a very believable Melinda. Her tone and inflection is spot on to the words she is reading. You can feel her sadness and fear. Her voice changes for teachers but only in a mocking tone. The book ends with a letter written and read by an author the readers will recognize. Jason Reynolds pleads a passionate case about the work that needs to be done so kids like Melinda do not have to suffer alone. He had me in tears.

The author also has a question and answer section as well as valuable information about consent that every teenager should read.

She ends the book with an essay on censorship. She acknowledges and respects that censorship is fear driven. She understands the need to shelter our children but implores the reader to share the truth of the world so our kids can be brave enough to speak.

Reviews:

“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

“Melinda’s voice is distinct, unusual, and very real as she recounts her past and present experiences in bitterly ironic, occasionally even amusing vignettes. . . . Melinda’s sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” ―Booklist

“A story told with acute insight, acid wit, and affecting prose.” ―Library Journal

Awards:

Connections:

Follow up by reading the book written 20 years later as a companion. Shout is a powerful memoir written in free verse.

Shout Laurie Halse Anderson ISBN-13 : 978-0142422205

I enjoyed the chapter/section titles. Most were an interesting way to summarize the section. It would be a fun exercise to read a short story and have the students narrow the main idea to a few words like the author did in Speak.

Accommodations:

The subject matter is heavy and hard. Emphasizing that Melinda was hurt will help make connections with children who won’t understand rape. Connect it to physical (nonsexual) violence. Help children see why she was afraid of the violent boy that hurt her.

Listen to the author speak about her reason for writing the book. Discuss how writing can heal wounds. Start your class everyday with 10 minutes of open journal writing.

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