"Speak" Book Report
Julia Gariepy
Period 2
12/11/12
Literacy Letter #2
Speak by: Laurie Halse Anderson
The summer before her freshman year of high school, Melinda Sordino, meets Andy Evans at a party. Outside in the woods, Andy rapes her. Melinda calls 911, but does not know what to say. The police come and break up the party. Melinda does not tell anyone what happened to her, and no one asks. She starts high school at Merryweather High School as an outcast, shunned by her friends for calling the police. She remains silent and sinks into depression. Melinda is befriended by Heather, a new girl, who clings to Melinda only to ditch her for "the Marthas". As Melinda's depression deepens, she begins to skip school, isolating herself from her parents and others who assume she is seeking attention. She slowly ignores her lab partner, David Petrakis, who encourages her to speak up for herself. The truth comes out about what happened at the party. Realizing the truth, the students no longer treat Melinda as an outcast but as a sort of hero instead. As Melinda was going about school days, her disguise used to make her stay in her own world alone, soon began to break apart as she learned how to speak up for herself.
If I were the author I wouldn’t change a whole lot but I would describe what happened with every one at the party when the cops arrived. In the book, it did mention that the party was broken up but it left me wondering if her friends got in any trouble or if parents were called. Instead of focusing on how Melinda got home by walking barefooted I would explain the problems that she caused for all of her close friends to hate her as much as they did in the story.
I rate this book a perfect 10 because of the amount of interest I had while reading it. This book is written for young adult and is great for those who could relate to the same situation as Melinda. This is the kind of book that you would not want to put down once you start reading it. This book also makes a
Period 2
12/11/12
Literacy Letter #2
Speak by: Laurie Halse Anderson
The summer before her freshman year of high school, Melinda Sordino, meets Andy Evans at a party. Outside in the woods, Andy rapes her. Melinda calls 911, but does not know what to say. The police come and break up the party. Melinda does not tell anyone what happened to her, and no one asks. She starts high school at Merryweather High School as an outcast, shunned by her friends for calling the police. She remains silent and sinks into depression. Melinda is befriended by Heather, a new girl, who clings to Melinda only to ditch her for "the Marthas". As Melinda's depression deepens, she begins to skip school, isolating herself from her parents and others who assume she is seeking attention. She slowly ignores her lab partner, David Petrakis, who encourages her to speak up for herself. The truth comes out about what happened at the party. Realizing the truth, the students no longer treat Melinda as an outcast but as a sort of hero instead. As Melinda was going about school days, her disguise used to make her stay in her own world alone, soon began to break apart as she learned how to speak up for herself.
If I were the author I wouldn’t change a whole lot but I would describe what happened with every one at the party when the cops arrived. In the book, it did mention that the party was broken up but it left me wondering if her friends got in any trouble or if parents were called. Instead of focusing on how Melinda got home by walking barefooted I would explain the problems that she caused for all of her close friends to hate her as much as they did in the story.
I rate this book a perfect 10 because of the amount of interest I had while reading it. This book is written for young adult and is great for those who could relate to the same situation as Melinda. This is the kind of book that you would not want to put down once you start reading it. This book also makes a