Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Speak depicts the excruciating and empowering story of high school Melinda Sordino. Melinda enters 9th as an outcast among her peers; disowned by child-hood friends and harassed by other social groups. At the beginning readers are unsure why Melinda, a once popular teenager, now receives the cold shoulder from friends. Although the turn of events obviously plagues Melinda, she does not make any attempts to rekindle friendships. Almost forgotten by most of her peers, her parents, and teachers, Melinda starts to fade into the shadows. Rarely speaking aloud she settles into an introverted life style. As readers continue to follow Melinda throughout the school year the horrific event leading up to 9th grade unfolds.
As an outcast she finds comfort and security in an abandoned janitor closet. Using the closet as a safe place during the school day, to escape anxieties, Melinda creates a intimate cocoon. Within this safe haven Melinda finds the courage and strength to emerge as confident young women with the ability to say no. Eventually- with the gentle encouragement of an art teacher, a rather untraditional art project and the honest friendship of a science partner-Melinda slowly learns to find her voice.
Melinda's story is one of empowerment. The author's honesty regarding teenage life in high school is brutally real. Anderson show us that we all possess the strength to rise above the muck and blossom.
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