Speak

by Laurie Halse Anderson

[zarahoffman]

Melinda Sordino enters high school as a social pariah and is ostracized by her peers who don't know her dark secret– they only know the she called the police to a summer party.
Now Melinda is silent, unable to speak. This story is about her road to confession.
Characters
Melinda Sordino is the protagonist whom the reader joins on her journey to gaining the courage to speak again. While she is a selective mute, she finds a way to express herself through Mr. Freeman's art class and turns a secret janitor's closet into a shrine to art and a home away from home.
Mr. Freeman is Melinda's art teacher and the only person she thinks she may be able to talk to. He's a little kooky, but kind and understanding.
David Petrakis is perhaps Melinda's closest thing to a friend. He's her partner in Biology and tries to get her to stand up for herself.
Rachel is Melinda's ex best friend who dumped her after Melinda called the cops to the party. She, like everyone else, doesn't know Melinda's secret.
Story
Starting on her first day of high school, Melinda feels sick to her stomach. She knows she'll run into everyone at the summer party and will have to keep her head down.
Alone and depressed, Melinda starts skipping classes and only really enjoys art and hiding out in her janitor's closet.
Her grades start to slip, enraging her parents who don't understand why their star student daughter is suddenly getting C's and D's.
Style
Written as vignettes, the story only emphasizes certain events (sometimes with large gaps in between) which can make it feel like a choppy read, but the visceral imagery make the reader suffer with Melinda and root for her empowerment.
Other Notes
I would not read this without asking someone to talk to. When I read it the summer between 4th and 5th grade, I had nightmares, so I suggest having a reading buddy, a parent, or other adult be there for you in case you need help coping with this tough story.
There is also a good movie version starring Kristen Stewart (before Twilight) as Melinda Sordino.