Genre 6: Fiction, Fantasy, & YA: SPEAK

Image:Amazon.com

Bibliographic data:                  

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2001. Speak. New York: Penguin Group. Speak 10^th Anniversary Edition ISBN 978-0-14-241473-6

Summary:

As if the first year of high school is not difficult enough, Melinda, also starts the year off being hated by everyone. Shy, quiet, withdrawn, outcast…Melinda…heather, from Ohio becomes her friend and then leaves her stranded to be part of the Marthas, a popular group of girls. Alone, again! Art class becomes her outlet…she loves it! Another friend in science class—her lab partner, friendship DOES NOT last…HE IS a jerk. “IT” seems to be her shadow where ever she goes…will this ever end? Will she speak? Will her old friend Ivy understand her secret? If she speaks, will anyone listen!

Critical analysis:

Melinda’s internal journal and emotional growth are more significant than the plot or action in the story. Dialog or the lack of dialog (since Melinda doesn’t speak unless it is necessary) is very important. The lack of speech and communication at this stage of Melinda’s life reflects the emotional turmoil she is going through. Mom: “You missed the bus again.” I nod. Mom: “You expect me to drive you again.” Another nod. (p. 96)

The trauma filled events in Melinda’s life are plausible and true to life, in addition to the story being engaging. Melinda goes through unexpected twists and turns losing friends and not fitting in. The climax and conclusion of the story are not obvious, but it is hopeful and avoids coincidence and pat resolutions with no obvious moralizing. “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 float up.” Me: “Let me tell you about it.”(p. 198)

The setting is contemporary and believable. Life as it happens in a high school is described accurately and the story transcends the setting and has universal implications for readers in many different situations.”I am outcast, but—my parents  split up, but—I am clanless, but—we lost our house, but—I have secrets—seven years of secrets—and I cut—myself my friends cut—we all cut cut cut—to let out the pain.”

The theme emerges naturally from the story; there is no moralizing or didacticism. In addition, the topics have personal resonance for the child reader and have landmarks of growing up into adulthood. Several themes emerge throughout the story. There is strength of character, which is more prevalent, growing up, and conformity which makes the reader think about how we torture each other in the name of belonging. The mood of the story is one of sadness, despair, fear, and loneliness, but when Melinda finds the strength to face her emotions and the mood changes to one of triumph and inspiration.^[5]

The dialogue throughout the story is natural and believable and the point of view is appropriate. The tone, mood, physical organization of the novel reflects the author’s personality.

The story is not overloaded with cultural details, but presents accurate cultural markers, presents real people, and real problems. There are not typecasting and stereotyping (either positive or negative).

Review excerpt(s): ^[1]

Publishers Weekly, 04/09/2001

PW said of this stunning first novel narrated by a rape survivor, "Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain and holds readers' empathy." Ages 12--up. (Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Connections:

Students can watch the movie Speak (2004) with Kristen Stewart directed by Jessica Sharzer and compare and contrast the book with the movie.

Acccess Laurie Halse Anderson reading “Listen” the poem that introduces Speak’s 10^th anniversary edition-- http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1PA0TZ7L9I99E/ref=ent_fb_link ^[4]

→—With the exception of the first and last stanzas, all the words in this poem come from letters or emails from Laurie’s readers—[3]
Listen[3]

You write to us
from Houston, Brooklyn, Peoria,
Rye, NY,
LA, DC, Everyanywhere USA to
my mailbox, My
Space Face
Book
A livejournal of bffs whispering
Onehundredthousand whispers to
Melinda and
Me.


You:
I was raped, too
sexually assaulted in seventh
grade,
tenth grade, the summer after
graduation,
at a party
i was 16
i was 14
i was 5 and he did it for three
years
i loved him
i didn’t even know him.
He was my best friend’s brother,
my grandfather, father, mommy’s
boyfriend,
my date
my cousin
my coach
i met him for the first time that
night and —
four guys took turns, and —
i’m a boy and this happened to
me, and —


… I got pregnant I gave up my
daughter for adoption …
did it happen to you, too?
U 2?


You:
i wasn’t raped, but
my dad drinks, but
i hate talking, but
my brother was shot, but
i am outcast, but
my parents split up, but
i am clanless, but
we lost our house, but
i have secrets – seven years of secrets
and i cut
myself my friends cut
we all cut cut cut
to let out the pain


… my 5-year-old cousin was
raped –
he’s beginning to act out now …
do you have suicidal thoughts?
do you want to kill him?


You:
Melinda is a lot like this girl I
know
No she’s a lot like
(me)
i am MelindaSarah
i am MelindaRogelio i am MelindaMegan, MelindaAmberMelindaStephenTori
PhillipNavdiaTiaraMateoKristinaBeth
it keeps hurting, but
but
but
but
this book cracked my shell
it keeps hurting I hurt, but
but your book cracked my shell.


You:
I cried when I read it.
I laughed when I read it
is that dumb?
I sat with the girl —
you know, that girl —
I sat with her because nobody sits with
her at lunch
and I’m a cheerleader, so there.


speak changed my life
cracked my shell
made me think
about parties
gave me
wings this book
opened my mouth
i whispered, cried
rolled up my sleeves i
hate talking but
I am trying.


You made me remember who I
am.
Thanks.


P.S. Our class is gonna analyze this thing to death.


Me:
Me:
Me: weeping


© 2010 Laurie Halse Anderson

Access additional teacher resources: http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/youngadult-speak/

→Teacher’s Guides
→SPEAK Classroom Guides and Resources
→You are not alone.
→Here’s the thing – Speak Sequel?
→Hands-on Activities and Social Action Projects

^{The 10th anniversary edition of Speak includes a new introduction, the poem written by Anderson--Listen--an afterword from the author, resources, and discussion guide.}


awards: ^[2]

→A Printz Honor Book

→A National Book Award Finalist

→A Los Angeles Times Book Award Nominee

Bibliographies:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2001. Speak. Puffin Books, 2001. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed August 8, 2011).

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2001. Speak. New York: Penguin Group. Speak 10^th Anniversary Edition ISBN 978-0-14-241473-6

Anderson, Laure Halse. Mad Woman in the Forest. http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/youngadult-speak/ (accessed August 8, 2011).

Amazon.com. (n.d.) Speak Poem. http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1PA0TZ7L9I99E/ref=ent_fb_link (accessed August 8, 2011).

TheBestNotes.com. (n.d.) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: Booknotes/Study Guide. http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Speak_Halse_Anderson/Speak_Study_Guide01.html (accessed August 8, 2011).

Citations:

[1] Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2001. Speak. Puffin Books, 2001. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed August 8, 2011).

[2] Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2001. Speak. New York: Penguin Group. Speak 10^th Anniversary Edition ISBN 978-0-14-241473-6

[3] Anderson, Laure Halse. Mad Woman in the Forest. http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/youngadult-speak/ (accessed August 8, 2011).

[4] Amazon.com. (n.d.) Speak Poem Video. http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1PA0TZ7L9I99E/ref=ent_fb_link (accessed August 8, 2011).

[5] TheBestNotes.com. (n.d.) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: Booknotes/Study Guide. http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Speak_Halse_Anderson/Speak_Study_Guide01.html (accessed August 8, 2011).