Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. Farrar, straus & giroux.
The beginning of freshman year for Melinda Sordino did not start out as a journey of new beginnings. For her, it was a journey into dark emptiness and depression. After suffering a traumatic rape that she keeps to herself and an event that leads to her being alienated by her peers over a misunderstanding, Melinda becomes non-communicative and completely isolated.
As Melinda struggles to come to terms with what happened to her, and attempting to help a friend who could become the next victim, she begins to find a voice through her gardening and an art project at school. Little does she know, eventually she’ll be confronted again by her offender, and will get the chance to face her fears and be a savior to other girls. Deciding to no longer be a victim, she stands up for herself and is vindicated.
It is a story of trauma, and an uncomfortable coming of age, but also a story of redemption and empowerment. With the mature content, I think this book is more suited for the upper level of the YA range. I think high school students could relate to this character and book vs. a younger reader on the spectrum. The issues presented in this book are easily real issues teens may face either personally or through friends.
This book allows the reader to watch how such a trauma could play out through someone else’s eyes or it could allow someone to find their own voice that has experienced a similar situation. While I ultimately think high school is more appropriate, I would be naïve to think that an older middle school reader might also relate. I can’t help but think of a former seventh grade student I had eight years ago. She had confided in me that she had been raped at a party by a classmate. As much as we wish these events were just fictional, they can happen to people of all ages. The courage to speak out and/or ask for help is a valuable message for readers of all ages.
**Required YA novel
(Book Trailer)
http://madwomanintheforest.com/ (Author’s Webpage)
Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson:
Twisted. ISBN 9780670061013
Wintergirls. ISBN 9780670011100
No comments:
Post a Comment