YA Reading #1: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

For my Young Adult Literature reading I decided to read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. This novel is a National Book Award finalist, and was also recommend to me by two friends who read this book in high school.

Speak. This is something Melinda Sordino rarely does her freshman year of high school. Melinda is an outsider, all of her friends and even strangers hate her. All because of a party she called the cops on. This novel depicts the reality of what it is like to be in high school, what we all felt during this time. You will soon find out what really happened at that party one August night, and everything will change for Melinda.

This novel is fairly easy read. I honestly read it in one day by taking lots of breaks in between. I would suggest this novel to be read maybe for either 9th or 10th graders.

I would say Speak should be circulated. Anderson's novel is completely relatable to all highschoolers in my opinion, not even just from Melinda's viewpoint. Anderson accurately describes what it is like trying to fit in with certain cliques. "We fall into clans: Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, Future Dascists of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Thespians, Goths, Shredders. I am clanless" (Anderson, 4). I also think that Speak really could show current students to not judge their peers by their exterior. This novel also presents passion through the writing, which will be great for students to absorb.

Three Discussion Questions:
1. In Speak, Melinda says: "It is easier not to say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say." Do you agree or disagree with Melinda? What does the end of the novel say about her opinion? Do you think Melinda's outlook changes in the novel? How?
2. Why does Melinda refer to Andy Evans as IT in the beginning of the novel, but then later refers to him by name?
3. What keeps Melinda so silent? What or who is she afraid of?

I really recommend this book to read!