Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. NY: Penguin
Speak is a hard hitting look at Melinda Soretino's freshman year. She spends the year as an outcast amongst her former friends, students, teachers and her family. She doesn't know how to interact with anyone, so she becomes very withdrawn. At first the reader does not know the details of what happened the night at the party, but once those details are shared, then it is like Melinda begins to find her strength and slowly come back to life. While Melinda is a victim in this tragedy, she is also a hero. She was able to find her voice, stand up for herself and others who were victims of sexual assault.
This story was hard to read, but so powerfully written. It is a subject that most of us don't want to think about and dwell on, but if we're not willing to even think about it, then how are victims going to be willing to speak up about it? Melinda's character is not what we think of in a typical teen book, and I think that will appeal to readers. Because of the adult theme, it is probably most appropriate for high school aged kids.
Speak is a hard hitting look at Melinda Soretino's freshman year. She spends the year as an outcast amongst her former friends, students, teachers and her family. She doesn't know how to interact with anyone, so she becomes very withdrawn. At first the reader does not know the details of what happened the night at the party, but once those details are shared, then it is like Melinda begins to find her strength and slowly come back to life. While Melinda is a victim in this tragedy, she is also a hero. She was able to find her voice, stand up for herself and others who were victims of sexual assault.
This story was hard to read, but so powerfully written. It is a subject that most of us don't want to think about and dwell on, but if we're not willing to even think about it, then how are victims going to be willing to speak up about it? Melinda's character is not what we think of in a typical teen book, and I think that will appeal to readers. Because of the adult theme, it is probably most appropriate for high school aged kids.
No comments:
Post a Comment