Speak
Book
Speak is a novel written by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is written from the perspective of a high school freshman named Melinda. The story goes through Melinda's entire freshman year divided into marking periods. Due to a traumatic experience over the summer, Melinda struggles to find her voice throughout the year. She is shunned by all of her friends who believe she called the cops on the summer party just because she wanted to leave. Her parents and teachers refuse to acknowledge the signs of trauma that she exhibits. We do not find out until about halfway through the book that at the summer party Melinda was raped.
Head
Many times while reading this book, I wanted to scream at people...Melinda, her parents, her teachers, her friends! I wanted them all to speak up and make a difference but I think that is the meaning of the story. No one would speak. No one would acknowledge that something more was happening than a distraught, temperamental teenager.
Heart
While reading this book, I found a personal connection through my own emotional trauma. When I was in sixth grade, I had a difficult time adjusting to the change from elementary to middle school. Every day that I went to school I sat in my classes and cried. Many times I was sent to the nurse and some times the counselor. My parents did not find out until about a month into school and were irate that no one had informed them. I saw a therapist for several months which helped me articulate my emotions. I know that what I experienced is minuscule compared to all the young women and children who are raped and have to live with that feeling for the rest of their lives but I want them to feel that they are protected and they can speak up and feel safe.
Speak is a novel written by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is written from the perspective of a high school freshman named Melinda. The story goes through Melinda's entire freshman year divided into marking periods. Due to a traumatic experience over the summer, Melinda struggles to find her voice throughout the year. She is shunned by all of her friends who believe she called the cops on the summer party just because she wanted to leave. Her parents and teachers refuse to acknowledge the signs of trauma that she exhibits. We do not find out until about halfway through the book that at the summer party Melinda was raped.
Head
Many times while reading this book, I wanted to scream at people...Melinda, her parents, her teachers, her friends! I wanted them all to speak up and make a difference but I think that is the meaning of the story. No one would speak. No one would acknowledge that something more was happening than a distraught, temperamental teenager.
Heart
While reading this book, I found a personal connection through my own emotional trauma. When I was in sixth grade, I had a difficult time adjusting to the change from elementary to middle school. Every day that I went to school I sat in my classes and cried. Many times I was sent to the nurse and some times the counselor. My parents did not find out until about a month into school and were irate that no one had informed them. I saw a therapist for several months which helped me articulate my emotions. I know that what I experienced is minuscule compared to all the young women and children who are raped and have to live with that feeling for the rest of their lives but I want them to feel that they are protected and they can speak up and feel safe.
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