Bibliographic data
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. New York: Penguin Group, 2006. ISBN 9781428737761
Critical analysis
Characterization -Melinda Sordino’s outlook on her life is sometimes comical, sarcastic, narcissistic, and sad. High school is a difficult time period for almost any adolescent, but for Melinda it’s more difficult. She was raped at a party this past summer. She called the police and they broke up the party. Her friends thought that she called the police to stop the party, when in fact she was reporting the boy that raped her. In doing this, her friends disowned her and made her social life unbearable when the school year started back up.
Plot –
The plot takes readers on a journey of an outcast teenager struggling to survive yet another year of school. This school can’t even decide on a mascot. They started out as the Trojans but administrators thought that didn’t push the abstinence thinking. Anderson witty text describes the other choices the school has for mascots.
a. The Bees – useful to agriculture, painful to cross
b. Icebergs – in honor of our festive winter weather
c. Hilltoppers – guaranteed to frighten opponents
d. Wombats – no one knows if they’re endangered
(p. 50)
Reading about all the typical issues in Melinda’s school that most teenagers deal with while in school is comforting, funny, and realistic. Readers get to follow Melinda through her summer, gearing up for the school year, the rape, and how it affected her during the school year. IT affects her socially as well as academically.
Setting –
The novel is set mostly in high school. There are a few times when readers are taken to Melinda’s home. Melinda makes her safe haven in the janitor’s closet at school. It is here that she feels the safest, displaying her artwork, a picture of Maya Angelou, and even brings her old blanket. She is safe from rude comments, long stares, and hopefully IT, the boy that raped her at the party.
Theme –
Speaking and lack thereof is a theme in this novel, hence the title of the book. There is also limited dialog. Instead most of the novel is a bit like stream of consciousness type of writing. Melinda spoke up and called the police at the end of summer party to report her rape. In doing so, she became socially outcasts because her friends thought she wanted the party to be busted. Melinda silenced herself and was never again outspoken, until IT met up with her inside her safe haven, the janitor’s closet. She finally found the nerves to yell for help. Melinda states, "It's easier not to say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say.”
Review excerpts
School Library Journal
Anderson expresses the emotions and the struggles of teenagers perfectly. Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.
Booklist
Melinda's voice is distinct, unusual, and very real as she recounts her past and present experiences in bitterly ironic, occasionally even amusing vignettes. In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.
Connections
Debut novel
http://halseanderson.livejournal.com/
National Book Award for Young People's Literature
Winner of the Printz Award
Have teenagers create a booktalk
Break up students into groups and have them discuss how they would define “survival.” How does it compare with the dictionary definition?
Plan a charity activity, like a carwash, to make funds for a women/children shelter.
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. New York: Penguin Group, 2006. ISBN 9781428737761
Critical analysis
Characterization -Melinda Sordino’s outlook on her life is sometimes comical, sarcastic, narcissistic, and sad. High school is a difficult time period for almost any adolescent, but for Melinda it’s more difficult. She was raped at a party this past summer. She called the police and they broke up the party. Her friends thought that she called the police to stop the party, when in fact she was reporting the boy that raped her. In doing this, her friends disowned her and made her social life unbearable when the school year started back up.
Plot –
The plot takes readers on a journey of an outcast teenager struggling to survive yet another year of school. This school can’t even decide on a mascot. They started out as the Trojans but administrators thought that didn’t push the abstinence thinking. Anderson witty text describes the other choices the school has for mascots.
a. The Bees – useful to agriculture, painful to cross
b. Icebergs – in honor of our festive winter weather
c. Hilltoppers – guaranteed to frighten opponents
d. Wombats – no one knows if they’re endangered
(p. 50)
Reading about all the typical issues in Melinda’s school that most teenagers deal with while in school is comforting, funny, and realistic. Readers get to follow Melinda through her summer, gearing up for the school year, the rape, and how it affected her during the school year. IT affects her socially as well as academically.
Setting –
The novel is set mostly in high school. There are a few times when readers are taken to Melinda’s home. Melinda makes her safe haven in the janitor’s closet at school. It is here that she feels the safest, displaying her artwork, a picture of Maya Angelou, and even brings her old blanket. She is safe from rude comments, long stares, and hopefully IT, the boy that raped her at the party.
Theme –
Speaking and lack thereof is a theme in this novel, hence the title of the book. There is also limited dialog. Instead most of the novel is a bit like stream of consciousness type of writing. Melinda spoke up and called the police at the end of summer party to report her rape. In doing so, she became socially outcasts because her friends thought she wanted the party to be busted. Melinda silenced herself and was never again outspoken, until IT met up with her inside her safe haven, the janitor’s closet. She finally found the nerves to yell for help. Melinda states, "It's easier not to say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say.”
Review excerpts
School Library Journal
Anderson expresses the emotions and the struggles of teenagers perfectly. Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.
Booklist
Melinda's voice is distinct, unusual, and very real as she recounts her past and present experiences in bitterly ironic, occasionally even amusing vignettes. In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.
Connections
Debut novel
http://halseanderson.livejournal.com/
National Book Award for Young People's Literature
Winner of the Printz Award
Have teenagers create a booktalk
Break up students into groups and have them discuss how they would define “survival.” How does it compare with the dictionary definition?
Plan a charity activity, like a carwash, to make funds for a women/children shelter.
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