Speak: 10th Anniversary Edition
by Laurie Halse Anderson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Laurie Halse AndersonBrand: Speak
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-03-19
ISBN: 0142414735
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Speak
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780142414736
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Speak: 10th Anniversary Edition
Book Review: Girls NEED to read this, and all young adults should
Summary: 5 Stars
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!
Anderson provides us a book on the subject of rape- an important subject that unfortunately is very relevant to young teens. She provider the material is a very non-graphic way that is appropriate for young readers. I applause her for not being too graphic. The rape is described in a few brief sentences with very little detail and nothing inappropriate at all. The book really tackles rape on the emotional level.
Melinda Sordino is between 8th and 9th grade when she is raped at a party. (This would make her about 14 years old.) Melinda has had her first beer and then a second which she later acknowledges was stupid. However she is attacked outside by someone who was watching her, and when she stumbles back inside to call the cops in a state of shock her friends abadon her and she becomes an outcast. The girl who called the cops at the party....
Melinda enters 9th grade as an outcast with no friends. There are dozens of books that are classics like Catcher in the Rye that tackle the difficult topic of coming of age without the added layer of being the silent victim of a brutal crime. Much of the book is internal dialogue inside Melinda's head. Even in her own head she struggles for a long time to name the crime. It's apparent early on what happened but she doesn't directly say it due to her own denial, and paralyzing fear. She knows the rapist. He is a senior at her school so she is still forced to be in close proximity to her. As the school struggles to find it's own identity with ever changing mascots, the kids struggle as well. (Some reviewers have called the highschool cliques in this book cliche, but cliches are cliches for a reason. Cliques exist in life, and espeically in highschool so I tend to still see this as realistic) Melinda struggles with the rest of them to find her identity, but finds herself pulling away from friends, and even her family which doesn't communicate well to begin with. Melinda is struggling to come to terms with what has happened to her and what we see in the internal dialogue is the struggle with cynicism and negativity that would naturally surround the victim of a rape. Because of this Melinda draws inward and chooses not to speak most of the time. She is selectively mute- there is some dialogue in the book.
Melinda's outlout becomes an art project for school which also allows for literary symbolism within the book. He project for the year is a tree which she struggles to create. However, she branches out. She faces what had happened to her out of moral obligation to a former friend who is now dating the rapist- Andy Evans. There's some other symbolism within the book regarding trees, seeds, and the sprouting of a friendship with David, and the life that can be found outside of the weight of what's been done to us. The art project becomes an outlet for Melinda's pain as well.
It's a great book for boys who may not have an awareness of the realities of rape, and how subtle a lack of consent can be. It creates an inlet for discussion on how young men can avoid situations that seem innocent and quickly turn into something different. Nothing about Melinda's rape was innocent, but I believe the book can be used as a tool for education. And I'm pleased that Anderson could provide this- again without being graphic. It's important to teens to understand that rape is not just the crime of the body and does not last just the length of the physical abuse itself. It's has long roots that reach deep into our lives and change us forever. I do hope this changes some lives by bringing awareness to both boys and girls. Unfortunately most teens will be faced with opportunities where they drink, so realistically speaking they could be in a situation where they would need to understand that rapists are attackers who prey upon innocent people.
Even before Melinda can use her voice to speak out she finds ways to communicate about Andy and slowly sees the the truth before her that she can no longer deny inside her mind.
Melinda's struggle is all too real and heartbreaking, but one we can't ignore. There are so many silent young girls who are the victim of rape that are afraid to confront attackers, or accept what happend - sometimes because they just don't understand what happened, or blame themselves, or are humiliated, or in denial. Understandably of course. Anderson handles Melinda with such care, but peels back her layers to show us inside her mind. Melinda felt like a close friend by the time I finished the book. Someone that I cheered for and looked out for, and hoped beyond hope for.
The fear and feelings Melinda feel are paralyzing and realistic. It's a great story that is true to life in the tone of a teenagee. It covers everyday issues and attitudes of teens, and teachers. It shows how teenage girls can be victimized and yet the world around is completely unaware. It's a coming of age and a struggle to overcome victimization all rolled into one. There's no happy ending to rape- but Melinda chooses to face her reality head on. She's realistic for her age and the book delivers not only awareness of an important subject but a message about "Speak"ing out and the acceptance that does welcome victims, and the strength that can be found when sbe's finally ready not to struggle alone.
Summary of Speak: 10th Anniversary Edition
Laurie Halse Anderson's award-winning, highly acclaimed, and controversial novel about a teenager who chooses not to speak rather than to give voice to what really happened to her marks ten years in print with this special anniversary edition. Bonus material created for this edition includes a new introduction and afterword from the author, resources, and discussion guide. Will also include a preview of Anderson's newest book, Wintergirls. The quintessential edition for all fans of this powerfully moving book.Teens Books
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