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

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• Melinda Sordino: The protagonist, with the entire book being told from her point of view. Prior to the start of the book, something happened to Melinda at a party that caused her to lose all of her friends. Very quiet in school & disliked.
• Rachel/Rachelle Bruin: Was an ex- best friend but they're somehow being friendly to each other now. 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.
• Mr. Freeman: A quirky Art teacher. Often voices his opinions against the school board and lack of funding for the art program. Gives students one subject to think about throughout the year, and tells them to recreate it. Best teacher & very deep. Seems to be the only teacher who actually understands Melinda a bit.
• 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 and they soon become friends. Strong-willed and determined, stands up for what is right. Melinda believes he might like her.
• Andy Evans: Known throughout Merryweather High School as a "player" and is a senior. Is described as being attractive, with many girls wishing to date him. Melinda refers to him as IT.
• Mr. Neck: Spiteful and biased social studies teacher. Unfair to Melinda. He has a son who is having a tough time getting a job.
• Ivy: Is a former friend of Melinda's who is very 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. Was one of Melinda's best friends.
• Dad: Add a description of this character.
• Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Todd Ryder
• Ms. Connors
• Barbie
• Andy Beast
• Heather
• Jessica Sharzer
• Mr. Stetman
• Picasso
• Santa
• Emily Briggs
• Mom
• Hairwoman
• Hester
• Meg
• Maya Angelou
• Jimmy
• Ms. Keen

Quotes edit see section history

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• “I am Outcast”

  Melinda Sordino

• “"The tears dissolve the last block of ice in my throat. I feel the frozen stillness melt down through the inside of me, dripping shards of ice that vanish in a puddle of sunlight on the stained floor, words floats up"”

  Melinda

• “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.”

  Mr. Freeman

• “"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.”

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

  Mr. Freeman

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.
• United States: The country in which Melinda lives
• The party at the barn: Where Melinda called the cops.
• Melinda's Closet (old janitor's closet): Where Melinda goes to escape a boring class and think, and to escape the world around her and the people
• 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

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)
• 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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With the little violence there is, you cant miss out on this life changing story.

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