Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. NY: Penguin

After calling the cops during a party at the end of the summer, Melinda Sordino starts off her freshman year of high school a pariah.  Nobody she's known for the last 9 years of her life will talk to her, except for Heather,  a new girl from Ohio.  But nobody knows the real truth and Melinda can't seem to find her voice.  She barely speaks to her parents, who seem to barely be holding on to their marriage.  She's doing horrible in school, when last year she was a solid B student.  Her only saving grace at school is an old abandoned janitor closet she has transformed into her personal sanctuary and art class.  Slowly the story unfolds and the reader learns the truth, as is probably suspected from subtle hints from the beginning- Malinda Sordino was raped at the party and that's why she called the cops.  But instead of speaking up to the cops, she ran and nobody ever knew the truth.  Eventually, the boy who raped her, Andy Evans, turns his attention to Malinda's ex-best friend, Rachel/Rachelle and that's what helps Malinda to find her voice- she wants to protect Rachel.  Slowly she starts to become human again and interact with the people around her.  In the end, Andy tries attacking Malinda again, since she spoke up and rumors are going around about what a terrible guy he is.  She saves herself just in the nick of time, and the rumors end up being publicly justified.

Malinda's character reflects a lot of young adults- too scared, embarrassed, or ashamed to speak up about bad things happening to them.  For someone who hasn't experienced sexual assault, it might be easy to assume it's weakness that keeps people from telling someone, but Malinda gives us a first hand view of what could be going through that person's mind.  The strong writing really helps the reader to feel what Malinda is feeling.  Young Adults can most likely relate to where she is coming from during many of the scenes.  This is an eye opening novel and one that will literally speak to every person who has been an a victim and even to those who thankfully have not. Anderson's writing sucks the reader in and keeps them turning the pages.  Readers will find themselves feeling the pain and triumph of this story.

Other novels by Laurie Halse Anderson include: The Impossible Knife of Memory, Wintergirls,
Forge, Chains, Twisted, Prom, Catalyst, and Fever 1973.