Extra Credit: Speak

Halse, Laurie Anderson. Speak. New York, New York: Penguin Group: 2001.

Annotation: Melinda doesn't speak. After she called the cops at a party, no one speaks to her either. She has become someone whom she doesn't even recognize herself, biting through her lip until it bleeds. The party changed her, she will never be the same. She can't trust anyone, but she begins to find refuge in Mr. Freeman, the crazy art teacher. He tells her to become the tree, and she does, and that is where she finds answers and the strength to carry on.

Justification for Nomination: At the beginning, I had a hard time relating to the main character, Melinda because of her pessimistic attitude. Everything was in her head, and to me, her feelings were not justified until the end when you find out the truth that she had been raped. There are signs and indicators to it, but she doesn't come out and say it until close to the end. Then when she comes out and says it, you are able to look back and come on a sort of journey with her, and see how she is growing and becoming a person that people want to be around. I found the teacher, Mr. Freeman a crucial part in this novel, because he makes Melinda identify with her feelings and makes her become the tree. Then at the end you are able to see the metaphor for her life and it's only the beginning of her life. It was hard to understand her attitude at first but then it becomes clear and the end, and the author makes you feel the emotions and fear that Melinda does. The book is great because it shows the struggle a lot of people have when it comes to sexual assault, but in the end it's telling people you need to speak up, be the hero and speak up for yourself, because if you don't, no one will on your behalf.

I recommend this because it shows that sexual assault of any sort, can easily happen to anyone, and it is important that we speak out about it. Sometimes it is hard to come out with the truth, but it is better than living with the hurt and pain; so speak out and you will be able to find people that care about you and will help you overcome this pain.

Genre Categories: Realistic/Edgy, Printz