SPEAK
Anderson, L.H. (1999). Speak. NY: Penguin
Media Type: Paperback book -Platinum Edition
The platinum version has 198 pages not counting the bonus material.
Summary:
Melinda has a terrible secret that won't let her speak. The summer before entering high school she attended a party and was raped. The worst part is that when she runs for help and calls 911 she can't speak. Others at the party realize that she called the cops and blame her for ruining the party. Her first year of high school is miserable. She has no friends and people look at her weird because she doesn't fit in. Her parents don't understand her behavior and why her grades are so low this year. She even creates a retreat in an old janitor closet where she goes when she can't face the world. As the year progresses she begins to see that it was not her fault and that she needs to stop IT from hurting other girls. She finally tells her ex-bestfriend Rachel about what happened at the party. Rachel doesn't believe her and thinks that she is just jealous because she's is dating Andy (IT). When Andy realizes that Melinda is spreading "rumors" about him he finds her in the janitor's closet and locks the door. He tries to rape her once again but this time she is able to scream and students come to her rescue. In the end Melinda is relieved that she finally spoke, yet she understand that what happened to her will be part of her forever. However she is not going to let it kill her, and she knows she can grow and move on from this experience.
Response:
This novel really struck a chord for me because I have two young daughters. I can't imagine what I would do if something like this happened to either one. I hope that they would come to me and tell me right away so that they do not suffer the way Melinda did. It also made me realize that there must be so many other cases just like hers that we never hear about. Many times victims of rape don't speak because of fear. This novel is not only important for young adults to read but it could also be beneficial for parents.
Connection to textbook:
Chapter 10- this novel falls under the category of realistic fiction. This novel deals with rape and how a young girls struggles with the situation.
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