Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a gripping novel and graphic novel that follows a freshman in high school as she struggles with the aftermath of sexual assault. As she tries to navigate high school, she's faced with the fact that everyone hates her. How will she be able to work through her trauma and find her voice?

Teachers

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Pages: 208

Age Range: 13-100

Lexile: 690L

Themes: violence, communication, isolation, friendship, guilt, etc.

Questions for discussion:

1. Discuss the title of the novel and its significance. What roles do silence and truth play in the story?

2. Is there a relationship between speaking and listening? Can one exist without the other?

3. What is friendship? Describe the important elements of Melinda’s relationships with Heather, Ivy, Nicole, and Rachel. Is she ever really friends with any of them?

4. 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 with her? Do the events in the novel support or negate her statement? Does her outlook change at any point in the novel?

5. What role does the concept of identity play in the novel? Why is belonging to one of the many clans so important to Heather and so unimportant to Melinda?

6. Why does Melinda isolate herself from her friends? Is she justified in doing so?

7. Melinda nicknames many of the other characters throughout the novel. What is the significance of this habit?

8. Why do you think Melinda refers to Andy Evans as IT in the beginning of the novel? At what point does she start to call him by name? Why?

9. In what places is Melinda able to find sanctuary at school? How do the characteristics of these places provide a window into her character?

10. What does Melinda learn in art class? What does the tree she spends the year creating finally come to symbolize?

Parents

Because Speak follows Melinda Sordino after she is raped, it might be a trigger for some students who may have experienced sexual assault. It's important to keep a close eye on your student and reach out if they need any help. Counseling is a great tool to use!

Students

As you may know, high school can be incredibly difficult. By reading Speak, you can get insight into the effects of bullying and assault and how it affects others. Through Melinda's perspective we also get to see the everlasting effect of trauma and that it's okay to reach out if you need help.

If this book interests you, check out Laurie Halse Anderson's poetic memoir, Shout, which tells the story of her life and her experiences with trauma and growing up.