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Anderson, Laurie Halse. (2006). Speak. New York, NY. Penguin
Group (USA). ISBN: 9780142407325
Plot/Summary:
Melinda Sorvino did something at an end-of-the-summer
party that no one will forget, especially herself. She called the police. This
got everyone’s attention, and not the good kind. Instead of finding out why,
she was ostracized from the rest of her classmates and she shut down inside of
herself. Moving through the year, she practiced invisibility, from everyone at
school, from her parents and from herself. She keeps the event of that night so
tight within, that she almost doesn’t say a word to anyone. She makes a new
friend, who is a new student and doesn’t know of that night, and hangs out with
her for a while, before she gets bored and makes new friends and leaves
Melinda, again, alone. Throughout the story, Melinda learn a few things about
herself and towards the end, she is able to make peace with herself and finally
“speak” about the horrible event that led to that call.
Critical
Analysis:
This is the story of a young girl who was just
beginning to make her way into the high
school scene until something so horrific happened, she kept it inside of her,
sharing it with nobody; not a friend, not a parent or teacher, no one. Becoming
a young lady transitioning from girlhood, is a very delicate time for girls.
They are coming into their own, full of many different emotions. When tragedy
strikes, they go through many different emotions. This story takes readers
through such a tragedy, and how one girl copes with it – in silence. She
learns, however, through patience and acceptance that she doesn’t have to keep
it silent and possibly prevent it from happening to someone else.
Sometimes a girl’s first sexual encounter is not always
wanted, and the hormonal upheaval that comes with it especially when it isn’t
wanted is something that a lot of young girls need to learn about. This is a
story that any young girl can identify with, it’s easy to understand language
and silent meaning. It takes older readers back to that time in their life when
they had theirs, and brings back memories. Laurie Halse Anderson captures a
very delicate moment in a girl’s life and takes readers through her turmoil,
humiliation and finally acceptance.
To hear Laurie Halse Anderson speak about Speak:
Reviews/Excerpts:
·
“The
book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave
readers touched and inspired.’” —Publishers Weekly
·
“Melinda's
sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose
ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” — Booklist *Starred
Review*
·
“Laurie
Halse Anderson's first novel is a stunning and sympathetic tribute to the
teenage outcast. The triumphant ending, in which Melinda finds her voice, is
cause for cheering (while many readers might also shed a tear or two). After
reading Speak, it will be hard for any teen to look at the class scapegoat
again without a measure of compassion and understanding for that person--who
may be screaming beneath the silence.” — Amazon.com
·
“Melinda's
sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose
ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” — Audiofile
·
“An
uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers
from first word to last.” — The Horn Book *Starred Review*
·
“An
uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers
from first word to last.” — Kirkus »»Pointer Review»»
National Awards
·
ALA
Best Book for Young Adults
·
ALA
Top-10 Best Book for Young Adults
·
ALA
Quick Pick for Young Adults
·
Edgar
Allan Poe Award finalist
·
IRA
Young Adult Choice
·
Junior
Library Guild Selection
·
Michael
L. Printz Honor Book (American Library Association)
·
National
Book Award Finalist
·
New
York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
·
New
York Times Bestseller List
·
SCBWI
Golden Kite Award
·
YALSA
Popular Paperback for Young Adults
State Awards
·
Abraham
Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award runner-up
·
California
Young Reader Medal nominee
·
Black-Eyed
Susan Book Award nominee (Maryland)
·
Garden
State Teen Book Award (New Jersey)
·
Iowa
Teen Book Award nominee
·
Heartland
Award (Kansas)
·
Kentucky
Bluegrass Award
·
Maud
Hart Lovelace Youth Reading Award nominee (Minnesota)
·
Teen
Three Apples Award nominee (New York)
·
2005
New York Reads Together Book
·
Carolyn
W. Field Award (Pennsylvania)
·
Pennsyvania
Young Readers Choice Young Adult List
·
Rhode
Island Teen Book Award nominee
·
South
Carolina Young Adult Book Award
·
Volunteer
State Young Adult Book Award (Tennessee)
·
Tayshas
High School Reading List (Texas)
·
Evergreen
Young Adult Book Award (Washington)
·
Sequoya
Book Award (Oklahoma)
·
Young
Reader’s Award Nominee (Nevada)
Bookseller and Media
Recognition
·
Booklist
Editors’ Choice
·
School
Library Journal Best Book of the Year
·
Bulletin
of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book
·
Fanfare,
The Horn Book’s Honor List
·
Los
Angeles Times Award finalist
·
Publishers
Weekly Bestseller
·
Booklist
Top 10 First Novels (1999)
·
Publishers
Weekly Best Book of the Year (1999)
Connections:
Visit Laurie Halse Anderson’s website:
Teacher’s Guides:Sexual Assault Survivor’s Resources:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/youngadult-speak/
“Listen” a poem by Laurie:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/youngadult-speak/
Hands on Activities and Social Action Projects:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/youngadult-speak/
This book I believe should be read by every girl. This book really tell girls what they should not do if they are rapped. Yes, true Mel did call the cops at the party but should had did more. I think that if she had told someone then she wouldn't have pulled her self away from all her friends and other people.