Module 7/SLIS 5420/ October 12-18

Speak

by

Laurie Halse Anderson

Bibliography

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1999. ISBN. 978-0-374-371524

Summary

Melinda Sordino is an outcast at Merryweather High School. She called the cops at a party, but nobody know why. As the events begin to unravel, we get to know Melinda and her use to be best friend from third grade. Melinda does not speak up for herself and soon learns to speak up and tells how she was raped at the party and that is why she called the cops. When the altercation presents itself again, Melinda does speak up for herself .

For the Young at Heart

Speak is a very powerful novel about a subject that is rarely spoken about.

The book is an excellent book even though the subject manner is tough.

Reviews

This powerful novel deals witha difficult yet important topic-rape. Melinda is just starting high school. It should be one of the greatest times in her life, but instead of enjoying herself, she is an outcast.

School Library Journal, October 1999

A frightening and sobering look at the cruelty and viciousness that prevade much of contemporary high school life, as real as today's headlines.

Kirkus Reviews, September 1999

Suggested Actvities

I would us this book as a media specialist in the high school for a girls book club and discuss about Melinda being an outcast at school and discuss feelings that highs school girls have.