Speak

Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak reminded me to never be afraid to share with others what I'm feeling.

Melinda is a high school student at Merryweather high, an everyday high school. The cliques are in their places and aren't welcoming any newcomers. Melinda use to be in a clique, the clique that was everyone's dream to be a part of, the popular group. Now, she is at the bottom of her school. Everyone knows her name, but only because she was the girl that called the cops at the biggest party of the summer. With no friends and no encouragement from her family, Melinda must find the courage from herself to finally admit what happened at the party.

The characters are very real to me. I can see Melinda being the girl that everyone is scared to be friends with because they know the reputation she has and what rumors will go around about them. I could feel the tension and nerves the first day back to school when she had to walk by all the cliques, every staring and disgusted. The author did a great job describing the clans and the members of those clans. For example, the Marthas were the goodie-two-shoes. She described how they were always doing volunteer projects and acting sweet, but how fake everyone knew they really were.

Connections were very easily made for me while reading Speak. Although I do not know how it feeling to be competely disowned by every student but one at school, I could relate to not knowing whether to speak up on some subjects and get the courage to. The theme of this was taking a stand. Many students change themselves to fit in with a group at school just so they can have friends. Melinda did not change herself at all and was satisfied with herself, even if it was with no friends. Also, she told someone about the problem that occured at the party and took a stand by calling the police.

I highly recommend this book to anyone. It is a good reminder that even very soft subjects that you may feel should just be left alone can really effect someone until they decide to get it out.