Contemporary Realistic Fiction: SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. SPEAK. New York : Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0374371520

Plot Summary

Melinda tries surviving her first year of high school, as most all do, though it is not easy. Between eighth and ninth grade, she has become an outcast with no friends and no group, in fact most people hate her if they know who she is at all. She turns inward, isolating herself, skipping class, and harboring a dark secret, which if everyone knew would explain why she called the cops at that summer party. Through several experiences, trying to build relationships, dodging IT, and being inspired by a passionate art teacher and his project, she finally learns to speak up, begin to overcome, and rely a bit on others despite the assault.

                 

Critical Analysis

Melinda is the main character, who is a withdrawn, quiet, and very believable teenager whose internal struggle and growth are the focus of the story. The lack of Melinda’s dialogue is a key component in reinforcing her isolation and timidity, though the story is told from her perspective which gives the readers insight into her thoughts and feelings. Her language is true to a struggling teen girl, including angst, curiosity, confusion, moodiness with the dialogue of other characters providing contrasts and extremes. The present day high school setting is both believable and relatable for a variety of readers.

The plot of the story, though rather dark and tragic, seems true to life for high schoolers, complete with cliques, popularity or lack of, and true vs. false friends. The story is intriguing, especially with the mystery of what caused Melinda’s outcast status and what happened at the summer party being slowly revealed. You could see the climax coming with hints and foreshadowing, but not overtly. Though the climax involved an attack by the guy who was seemingly popular but had raped Melinda before, the conclusion gives hope for Melinda and the reader. It shows the change, possibilities, and improved relationships beginning to glimmer with her vindication.

The themes are presented naturally in the story and include growing up, abuse and bullying, true friendship, and overcoming tragedy. The style of using first person perspective emphasizes Melinda’s silence. The script like presentation of dialogue, the nicknames used in place of names (Hairwoman is her English teacher), and the organization using marking periods (including a report card at the end of each) all lend to the distinct style and personality of the story. Though there is some stereotyping, it is done by Melinda, as any teen would do in high school culture. This is an edgy story with real people with real problems, anything from rape to school budgets, to fitting in.

Awards, Honors, Best Book Lists

ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award, 2000 Winner Young Adult Readers United States Carolyn W. Field Award, 2000 Winner Author United States Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year, 1999 Winner Best Novel for Older Teens United States Edgar Allan Poe Award, 2000 Nominee Best Young Adult Novel United States Evergreen Young Adult Book Award, 2002 Winner Washington Garden State Teen Book Award, 2002 Winner Fiction (Gr. 9-12) New Jersey Golden Kite Award, 2000 Award Book Fiction United States Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, 2001 Winner United States Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2001 Winner Gr. 9-12 Kentucky Los Angeles Times Book Prize, 1999 Finalist Young Adult Fiction United States Michael L. Printz Award, 2000 Honor Book United States Sequoyah Book Award, 2002 Winner Young Adult Oklahoma Society of School Librarians International Book Awards, 2000 Honor Language Arts - Novels, Grades 7 - 12 United States South Carolina Young Adult Book Award, 2002 Winner South Carolina Volunteer State Book Award, 2003 Winner Grades 7-12 Vermont

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000 ; Bank Street College of Education; United StatesBooklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1999 ; American Library Association; United StatesBooks for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United StatesBulletin Blue Ribbons, 1999 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United StatesCapitol Choices, 1999 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United StatesChildren's Literature Choice List, 2000 ; Children's Literature; United StatesDealing with Alienation, 2000 ; Bank Street College of Education; United StatesHorn Book Fanfare, 1999 ; Horn Book; United StatesLasting Connections, 1999 ; American Library Association; United StatesMiddle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005 ; H.W. Wilson; United StatesMiddle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United StatesNot Just for Children Anymore!, 2000 ; Children's Book Council; United StatesParent's Guide to Children's Media, 1999 ; Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media, Inc.; United StatesPublishers Weekly Book Review Stars, September 1999 ; Cahners; United StatesRecommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; CaliforniaSchool Library Journal Best Books, 1999 ; Cahners; United StatesSchool Library Journal Book Review Stars, October 1999 ; Cahners; United StatesSenior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United StatesSenior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002 ; H.W. Wilson; United StatesSenior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Fifteenth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United StatesYALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2000 ; American Library Association; United StatesYALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2000 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United StatesYoung Adults' Choices, 2001 ; International Reading Association; United States

Review Excerpts

Debbie Carton (Booklist, September 15, 1999 (Vol. 96, No. 2))
… Melinda's voice is distinct, unusual, and very real as she recounts her past and present experiences in bitterly ironic, occasionally even amusing vignettes. In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.

Maggie Meacham (Children's Literature)
… The story is told in short, titled passages rather than traditional chapters, and this format gives the novel a stylish contemporary feel. Melinda's intelligent, ironic, often humorous voice has a truly authentic ring. The author's sharp eye for the absurdities of high school life, and of our media crazed society, like the constant renaming of the high school football team to insure political correctness, add sardonic humor that will appeal to teens…

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1999)
A frightening and sobering look at the cruelty and viciousness that pervade much of contemporary high school life, as real as today's headlines…The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.

Connections

-        This novel gives plenty of topics which would be great for a Socratic circle discussion with older teens.

-        An extension lesson of the power of art could include the study of particular artists (like Picasso or Van Gogh) and how their art reflects their personal lives.

-        Compare with other books, movies, plays, etc. about high school and trying to fit in while being yourself