Speak (1999) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

• Melinda Sordino: A shy, quiet girl that suffers a lack of strength and confidence. She is a freshman in high school. For most of the book, she dislikes herself, but she never changes her story or gives in to the people around her. Art class seems to frustrate her, but she is artistic, and ultimately, an art class assignment helps her heal what has been broken in her life and heart.
• Rachel/Rachelle Bruin: Melinda's former best friend. After the incident at the party, Rachel dropped Melinda and started hanging out with stereotypical beatniks-- eating candy cigarettes, wearing berets and dark eyeliner, etc. She is cruel to Melinda for the sake of fitting in. She now associates with the exchange students, and has reestablished "her European culture" by changing her name to Rachelle. At the very end of the book, Rachel and Melinda just barely reconnect, having a small conversation, Melinda responding on paper. Melinda makes a dark, personal confession to Rachel, which she doesn't believe at first, but slowly begins to understand what happened to the Melinda that she knew before the party.
• Mr. Freeman: A quirky Art teacher who makes a difference in Melinda's life. He talks to her, and allows her to sit in the art room during lunch. He is also her favorite teacher. Gives Melinda great grades. He feels the school board is unfair in making him survive on last years art supplies. He drives a clean blue modern car. He is an amazing painter.
• David Petrakis: Boy described as "so smart he makes the teachers nervous", David teeters between aspirations of law school and of med school. He is Melinda's partner in biology. Strong-willed and determined, stands up for what is right.
• Andy Evans (IT): Known throughout Merryweather High School as a "player", senior.
• Mr. Neck: Spiteful and biased social studies teacher. Unfair to Melinda. He has a son who is having a tough time getting a job.
• Heather Billings: A new girl from Ohio who is at first Melinda's "Friend" but desperately tries to fit in with the Martha's. She is very peppy and outgoing, with contrasts with Melinda's dark and quiet disposition. She longs to popular with her peers.
• The Martha's: A group of girls who do good things for teachers and people in exchange for a good reputation - they are barely believable. Wear matching clothes and are mean. They do not accept Melinda. They are named after Martha Stewart. The next generation's soccer moms.
• Ivy: Former friend of Melinda. She is artistic.
• Nicole: A very athletic girl, kind and has many friends. She is the kind of girl who isn't ashamed to change her bra in the locker room. She is great at every sport.

Quotes edit see section history

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• “I am Outcast”

  Melinda Sordino

• “Welcome to the only class where you will learn how to survive. Welcome to Art.”

  Mr. Freeman

• “I think I know what you want.”

  Andy Evans

• “I have never heard a more eloquent silence.”

  Melinda, about David Petrakis

• “Why does everyone make such a big hairy deal about me not talking? Maybe I don't want to incriminate myself. Maybe I don't like the sound of my voice. Maybe I don't have anything to say.”

  Melinda

• “It's amazing anything survives.”

  Melinda

• “Nothing good ever happens at lunch.”

  Melinda

• “I said no.”

  Melinda

• “Bones are heaped on the cutting board. A pot of glue boils on the stove. Bits of gray, green, and yellow roll in the burping white paste. Dad: It's supposed to be soup. Me: Dad: "It tastes a bit watery, so I kept adding thickener. I put in some corn and peas. Me: Dad:<pulling wallet from his back pocket> "Call for pizza. I'll get rid of this." I order double cheese, double mushroom. Dad buries the soup in the back yard next to our dead beagle, Ariel.”

  Dad and Melinda

• “When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.”

• “"Exchange students are ruining our country."”

  Melinda

• “I have been dropped like a hot poptart on a cold kitchen floor.”

  Melinda

• “The constitution does not recognize different classes of citizenship based on time spent living in the country. I am a citizen, with the same rights as your son, or you. As a citizen and as a student, I am protesting the tone of this lesson as racist, intolerant, and xenophobic.”

  David Petrakis

• “"It's easier to floss with barbed wire than admit you like someone in middle school."”

  Melinda

• “He talks about algebra the way some guys talk about their cars.”

Setting & Locations edit see section history

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• Merryweather High School: The school attended by the characters in the book. Is going through a mascot identity crisis.
• Syracuse: City Where Melinda lives that never gets snow days.
• America: The country in which Melinda lives
• The party at the barn: Where Melinda called the cops
• Melinda's Closet (old janitors closet): Where Melinda goes to escape a boring class and think.
• Heather's House: Where Heather lives. She recently moved near Melinda. Her room is elegant and has a green nail-polish stain on it's new carpet.

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Xenophobic: An unreasonable fear of foreigners.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

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• Teenage Strife: Trying to overcome a horrible experience while surviving in the world and hopefully, eventually thriving in society.
• Rape and Sexual Violence: Describe this theme.
• The Tree: Melinda Has to draw trees for art and in the begining the tree looks dead, sick, and sad sort of like melinda but through out the book the tree looks more lifeful and at the end the trees she draws look healthy happy and alive sort of like melinda at the end of the book
• Literary allusions to the novel: Anderson did not intend to reference To Kill A Mockingbird with the several references to mockingbirds. Other references are intended.

Series & Lists edit see section history

Preceded by Olive's Ocean, and followed by Draw Me a Star (Paperstar Book).

Preceded by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Preceded by Atonement, and followed by The Red Tent.

Preceded by The Stranger, and followed by On the Road.

Preceded by It, and followed by Eleven Minutes.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Laurie Halse Anderson (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• ALA Quick Pick
• ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
• BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
• Booklist Top Ten First Novel (1999)
• Edgar Award (Finalist, 2000: Best Yount Adult)
• Golden Kite Award (2000: Fiction, Winner)
• Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature (2001)
• Horn Book Fanfare Title
• Los Angeles Times Book Prize (Finalist, Finalist)
• Michael L. Printz Award (Finalist, 2000, Honor Book)
• National Book Award (Finalist, 1999)
• New York Times Bestseller
• Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (1999)
• SLJ Best Book of the Year

Notes for Parents edit see section history

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Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Teens › Authors, A-Z › ( A ) › Anderson, Laurie Halse
• Books › Teens › Social Issues › Being a Teen
• Books › Teens › Literature & Fiction
• Books › Health, Mind & Body › Recovery › Sexual

Movie Connections edit see section history

• Speak (IMDb): 2004

More Books Like This edit see section history

Books That Cite This Book edit see section history