This blog is a collection of book reviews, submitted as a final project for San Jose State University's LIBR 267, taught in Spring 2010 by Professor Joni Bodart.

Michelle M Coleman

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. New York, NY: Ferrar Straus Giroux, 1999. ISBN: 0374371520 

Summary
Melinda starts high school without any friends. A few weeks prior, Melinda had called 911 at a party, breaking up the party and getting some of the kids arrested. Melinda hadn't meant to ruin the party but when the 911 operator answered, she couldn't speak. Melinda spends the whole year, not speaking, not telling anyone that she was raped by Andy Evans at the party. Obviously, something is wrong with Melinda. Her parents try to help her but they can't guess what's wrong and she won't tell them. Melinda's old friend Rachel begins dating Andy and Melinda is worried about Rachel. Maybe even worried enough to speak up.

Critical Evaluation
While readers may wish that the adults in the story would do something to help Melinda, Melinda needs to take responsibility for her own healing. No one can help Melinda if she doesn't tell them what she needs. Speak has an uncomfortable message since it tells young adults that they need to look out for themselves, but it can be a valuable message too.

Reader's Annotation 
When the 911 operator answered, Melinda couldn't speak. She can't speak to tell her parents, her friends, or her teachers. If only Melinda would speak she could tell the awful truth and begin to heal.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness 
Teaches readers that they need to speak up and ask for the help that they need instead of waiting for adults to save them.

Genre and Subject 
Realistic fiction. Date rape.

Why I read it
So much of the conversation about this book focused on the parents but this book is not about the parents. It's about the narrator's own responsibility.

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