Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson follows Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman navigating the challenges of adolescence after a traumatic event. Set against the backdrop of Merryweather High, the novel explores themes of trauma, isolation, and the struggle to find one's voice. As Melinda grapples with her silence and the impact of her experiences, she uses art as a means of expression and healing. This poignant narrative is essential for young adults dealing with similar issues and is often included in high school curricula. Speak provides a powerful commentary on the importance of speaking out and the journey toward self-acceptance.

Key Points

  • Explores the emotional struggles of Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman
  • Addresses themes of trauma, isolation, and the importance of self-expression
  • Highlights the role of art as a therapeutic outlet for healing
  • Often included in high school literature courses for its relevant themes
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Laurie Halse Anderson
125 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Exams
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Laurie Halse Anderson
125 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Exams
213
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Speak
Speak
Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson
I would like to offer my deepest thanks to all the people who read
drafts of this story and encouraged me to keep going: the Bucks County Children's Writers Group,
Marnie Brooks,
Hillary Homzie, Joanne Puglia, Stephanie Anderson,
Meredith Anderson, and Elizabeth Mikesell, a talented and compassionate editor.
Thank you, thank you.
To Sandy Bernstein, who helped me find my voice, and to my husband, Greg, who listens.
Speak
WELCOME TO MERRYWEATHER HIGH
It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a
stomachache.
The school bus wheezes to my corner. The door opens and I step up. I am the first pickup of the
day. The driver pulls away from the curb while I stand in the aisle. Where to sit? I've never been a
backseat wastecase. If I sit in the middle, a stranger could sit next to me. If I sit in the front, it will
make me look like a little kid, but I figure it's the best chance I have to make eye contact with one of
my friends, if any of them have decided to talk to me yet.
The bus picks up students in groups of four or five. As they walk down the aisle, people who
were my middle-school lab partners or gym buddies glare at me. I close my eyes. This is what I've
been dreading. As we leave the last stop, I am the only person sitting alone.
The driver downshifts to drag us over the hills. The engine clanks, which makes the guys in the
back holler something obscene. Someone is wearing too much cologne. I try to open my window, but
the little latches won't move. A guy behind me unwraps his breakfast and shoots the wrapper at the
back of my head. It bounces into my lap--a Ho-Ho.
We pass janitors painting over the sign in front of the high school. The school board has decided
that "Merryweather
High--Home of the Trojans" didn't send a strong abstinence message, so they have transformed us
into the Blue Devils. Better the Devil you know than the Trojan you don't, I guess. School colors will
stay purple and gray. The board didn't want to spring for new uniforms.
Older students are allowed to roam until the bell, but ninth- graders are herded into the
auditorium. We fall into clans: Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste,
Eurotrash, Future Fascists of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Thespians,
Goths, Shredders. I am clanless. I wasted the last weeks of August watching bad cartoons. I didn't go
to the mall, the lake, or the pool, or answer the phone. I have entered high school with the wrong hair,
the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with.
I am Outcast.
There is no point looking for my ex-friends. Our clan, the Plain Janes, has splintered and the
pieces are being absorbed by rival factions. Nicole lounges with the Jocks, comparing scars from
summer league sports. Ivy floats between the Suffering Artists on one side of the aisle and the
Thespians on the other. She has enough personality to travel with two packs. Jessica has moved to
Nevada. No real loss. She was mostly Ivy's friend, anyway.
The kids behind me laugh so loud I know they're laughing about me. I can't help myself. I turn
around. It's Rachel, surrounded by a bunch of kids wearing clothes that most definitely did not come
from the EastSide Mall. Rachel Bruin, my
ex-best friend. She stares at something above my left ear. Words climb up my throat. This was the
girl who suffered through Brownies with me, who taught me how to swim, who understood about my
parents, who didn't make fun of my bedroom. If there is anyone in the entire galaxy I am dying to tell
what really happened, it's Rachel. My throat burns.
Her eyes meet mine for a second. “I hate you,” she mouths silently. She turns her back to me and
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FAQs

What is the main theme of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson?
The main theme of *Speak* is the struggle for self-expression and the impact of trauma on one's identity. The protagonist, Melinda Sordino, faces the challenges of being an outcast in high school after a traumatic event. Throughout the novel, she grapples with her silence and the inability to speak about her experience, which symbolizes her internal struggle and the broader issues of sexual assault and the importance of finding one's voice.
Who are the key characters in Speak and their roles?
Key characters in *Speak* include Melinda Sordino, the protagonist who becomes an outcast after a traumatic incident; Rachel Bruin, her former best friend who distances herself from Melinda; and Mr. Freeman, the art teacher who encourages Melinda to express herself through art. Other notable characters are Melinda's parents, who are largely absent, and Andy Evans, the boy who represents her trauma. Each character plays a crucial role in illustrating Melinda's journey towards healing and self-acceptance.
How does Melinda's art class influence her journey in Speak?
Melinda's art class serves as a pivotal space for her self-discovery and healing in *Speak*. Under the guidance of Mr. Freeman, she learns to express her emotions and experiences through her artwork, particularly her tree project. This artistic outlet helps her confront her trauma and find her voice, symbolizing growth and resilience. The class becomes a sanctuary where she can explore her feelings and gradually reclaim her identity.
What significance does the tree hold in Melinda's art project?
In *Speak*, the tree represents Melinda's growth and struggle. Initially, her attempts to carve a tree are fraught with frustration, reflecting her emotional state. As she progresses, the tree evolves into a symbol of strength and resilience, mirroring her journey towards healing. Mr. Freeman emphasizes that trees are not perfect, which resonates with Melinda's realization that flaws are part of life, ultimately leading her to embrace her imperfections.
What event causes Melinda to become an outcast in high school?
Melinda becomes an outcast in high school after a traumatic incident at a summer party where she is raped by Andy Evans. This event leads her to call the police, which inadvertently alienates her from her peers. As a result, she struggles with feelings of isolation and shame, finding it difficult to communicate her experience, which deepens her silence and sense of alienation throughout the novel.
How does the school environment affect Melinda in Speak?
The school environment in *Speak* is hostile and unwelcoming for Melinda. She feels isolated from her peers, who have formed cliques and are quick to judge her. The pressure to conform and the lack of understanding from teachers and classmates exacerbate her trauma. This toxic atmosphere contributes to her silence and feelings of worthlessness, making her journey towards self-acceptance even more challenging.
What role does Melinda's family play in her life in Speak?
Melinda's family plays a significant yet largely negative role in her life in *Speak*. Her parents are emotionally distant and often preoccupied with their own issues, which leaves Melinda feeling unsupported and alone. Their lack of communication and understanding contributes to her feelings of isolation and despair. This dynamic highlights the importance of family support in the healing process, which Melinda desperately lacks.

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