"Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson- Book Review


Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Farrar, Straus, & Grioux. 1999.

Thirteen-year-old Melinda Sordino could have never guessed that her life would be forever changed the night she attended an end-of-summer party with her best friend Rachel. Melinda cannot believe her luck, an upperclassman from her soon-to-be high school is flirting with her. Andy showers her in compliments and holds her like no one else ever has. Soon after, he takes Melinda away from the party and before Melinda knows what is happening, he is on top of her. Melinda tries to speak, get up, and fight back, but Andy is there with his hand over her mouth, his weight pinning her to the floor. Afterwards a confused and still intoxicated Melinda calls the police for help. She knows that is what you do when a crime has been committed. Her future classmates, including Rachel, can’t understand Melinda’s abrupt decision to call the police. Melinda can’t voice what Andy did to her, leaving her with one option, to speak as little as possible. 
It is now Melinda’s freshman year of high school and she is left to navigate through the aftermath of her rape alone. Melinda becomes increasingly ostracized for her perceived whistleblowing. Even Rachel goes out of her way to avoid her. Everything from Melinda’s grades to her relationship with parents begins to suffer. Although Melinda finds comfort in some classmates and her art teacher Mr. Freeman, she doesn’t talk to anyone about what Andy did. She thinks no one will believe her. Melinda is constantly forced to face her abuser Andy who is not shy about antagonizing Melinda at any chance he gets. Things take a turn when Andy begins to date Rachel. Melinda knows she should warn Rachel she tries to do so anonymously by writing a note. However, after another seemingly innocent run-in with Andy and much contemplation Melinda decides to tell Rachel she was raped by Andy. As Melinda expected, Rachel is does not believe her. However, Melinda comes to find out her experience with Andy seems to be one of many. As news begin to circulate about Andy’s past sexual assaults, he confronts Melinda, physically restrains her, and tries to rape her once again. After keeping her voice in for so long Melinda speaks out shoving Andy away from her and escaping. Finally, Melinda finds retribution as others hear about Andy’s assault. As for Melinda, she is ready to tell her story. 
Melinda’s internal monologue is witty and relatable which would make it wonderful book to have hard conversations. Having an open conversation about sexual assault with middle school and high school students can make a huge difference. Like in Melinda’s case, it can be hard for young students to even know if they have been a victim, causing them to remain silent. The author Laurie Halse Anderson was also sexually assaulted when she was thirteen, which she writes about in her poetry book Shout. I think Shout would be a great companion novel to read after Speak, to further open the conversation. 

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