Book Review for SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. SPEAK. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 0-14-131088-X

PLOT SUMMARIZATION:

Speak is a stark look at life in an American high school; a brutally honest look at the aftermath of sexual assault. “Welcome to Merryweather High”. Welcome to Melinda who has become an outcast, welcome to her used-to-be friends, welcome to the frustrated art teacher who reaches out to Melinda, and welcome to her attacker.

Anderson takes the reader through the first months of Melinda’s freshman year in a realistic journey of young teen. She is lost in the school not knowing what to do and not caring about anything but survival. Her parents are present in body but absent in ways that matter. Melinda tried to speak up when she was attacked at a summer party, but now she thinks it is just better to stay quiet. She finds solace while at school in her hideaway…an abandoned janitor’s closet which she has commandeered and somewhat renovated. She is encouraged by one teacher who pushes her to express herself through art.

Melinda grows and begins to heal some during her school year but must make a critical decision about speaking up in order to spare her once-friend the same fate she found with her attacker. In retaliation, he comes after Melinda and attempts to attack her again. Melinda finds her voice in the thrilling conclusion of this work.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

While no one wants high school to be anything but fun and great memories, Speak reminds us that for many students it can be hell on earth. Anderson deals with the serious topic of rape amid and in relation to a variety of other growing up issues faced by teen girls (self-esteem, identity, and friendship). Throughout, the humorous parallel of Melinda’s high school trying to determine it’s mascot follows the characters search for their identities. The frustrated art teacher, who often broods himself about personal challenges, reaches out to his students challenging them to express themselves and to dig deep within themselves. The school counselor, or authority figure at school, is inept and unaware of issues swirling for Melinda and others. Overall, the peek into high school is a tough one.

Speak is a classic of contemporary fiction told masterfully by Anderson. Although difficult at times, she threads touches of humor throughout (just like life). The work is most appropriate for readers from 8^th grade up, and while it is may be more appealing to girls, well-read boys will recognize and connect with the universal themes of adolescence.

AWARDS/REVIEWS:

*Horn Book: "An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last."

*Publishers Weekly: "Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain and holds readers' empathy."

*Kirkus Reviews: "A frightening and sobering look at the cruelty and viciousness that pervade much of contemporary high school life, as real as today's headlines."

*National book award finalist, 2000

*Printz honor book, 2000

CONNECTIONS:

*have students journal about their thoughts/feelings as they read the book

*host a discussion group of female students (high school age) about the book

*have students do research about dating violence among high school age students

*have students watch the film, Speak, and compare it to the written work