As expressed in "Publishers Weekly's" book review, Laurie Halse Anderson's, "Speak" has left me touched and inspired. Despite my first impression of the novel, it was truly a great read. Although Melinda’s don’t-care attitude and negative outlook on life could be rather irritating, as mentioned in the review, her wit and sarcasm kept me reading and allowd me to sympathize with her. Anderson’s brilliance in giving Mel humorous, entertaining characteristics acts as comic relief, helping not only the reader, but also Melinda get through the somber, depressing first couple of marking periods (first two quarters of the book). Once again, as referred to in the selected book review, the first-person narration causes a bond to form between the reader and Melinda that is so strong, we feel as if we

know her; we worry for her, we take pity on her, and eventually, we become proud of her.

LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON

The review merely touches on the subject of Melinda’s “hard-won metamorphosis.” To say the least, Melinda has earned my full respect. Mel picking herself up and blossoming into a determined, beautiful girl was one of the most gratifying things I have ever read. Although not mentioned in the “Publishers Weekly” review, Laurie Halse Anderson does a remarkable job of addressing serious issues that appear so often in our lives and in society as a whole. For example, the problems many adolescents face of depression and self-harm are those Melinda suffers throughout the novel. Furthermore matters such as gender equality, bullying and rape are explored in this piece of literature. Another important aspect of Anderson’s award-winning novel the book review failed to discuss is the predominant, touching theme. In Laurie Halse Anderson’s, “Speak” she illustrates the importance of standing up for yourself and that you cannot live a content life by letting others speak for you. This is a theme that not only pulls on our heart strings, but is one we can most likely relate to. Aside from the novel’s enticing storyline, the author poetic, witty style of writing that appeals to young audiences and unique way of organising the novel (through lists, sub-sections within four marking periods, and etcetera) equally contribute to the quality and success of the novel. To conclude, this is a must-read for all ages. It is unpredictable, captivating, and self-empowering. “Speak” is an amazing work of literature that in a way, has changed my view on life in a way I’ll never forget.

Book Review - Publishers Weekly

In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. Divided into the four marking periods of an academic year, the novel, narrated by Melinda Sordino, begins on her first day as a high school freshman. No one will sit with Melinda on the bus. At school, students call her names and harass her; her best friends from junior high scatter to different cliques and abandon her. Yet Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine

through her pain and holds readers' empathy. A girl at a school pep rally offers an explanation of the heroine's pariah status when she confronts Melinda about calling the police at a summer party, resulting in several arrests. But readers do not learn why Melinda made the call until much later: a popular senior raped her that night and, because of her trauma, she barely speaks at all. Only through her work in art class, and with the support of a compassionate teacher there, does she begin to reach out to others and eventually find her voice. Through the first-person narration, the author makes Melinda's pain palpable: ""I stand in the center aisle of the auditorium, a wounded zebra in a National Geographic special."" Though the symbolism is sometimes heavy-handed, it is effective. The ending, in which her attacker comes after her once more, is the only part of the plot that feels forced. But the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.

Daisy Questions

1.How does nature have an impact on Melinda? How do the changing seasons mirror Melinda's ability to speak?

In the novel we notice that as the seasons change so does Melinda. In the beginning of the novel it is fall and Melinda is sad, she doesn't have any friends and she is beginning to not care about life, and trying to get friends, she also begins the bad habit of biting her lips. As winter rolls in Melinda's sadness begins to developed into a deep, dark and cool depression. She does not care about school any more, does not leave the house, her physical appearance and she does not talk to anyone and her lip biting has gotten to the point where she gnaws clean through her bottom lip. But things begin to change around for Melinda as springs appears. She gets out more on her bike and begins to garden. We can clearly indicate that Melinda is beginning to heal at this point in the novel. She is begging to come out and she is beginning to speak and to get stronger.

2.What were your guy's reaction when Andy attacked Melinda again?

When Andy attacked Melinda again in the closet we all had major heart attacks. It was so unexpected and just scary because you didn't know if Melinda would be able to stop him from raping her again. When Melinda yelled "NO!" we were so proud that she was able to speak up and to stand up for herself.

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

In art class Melinda learns that for things to be beautiful they do not have to be perfect. The tree that Melinda had been working on over the past year symbolizes her life. At the beginning of the year Melinda had a lot of trouble trying to carve the tree and trying to make it look perfect. As the year goes on and winter rolls in Melinda has begun to give up on the project. The spring comes and Melinda finally get the idea that to complete the tree and to make it look real and alive that it is okay for the tree to have imperfections. This mirrors Melinda and her life/ story  perfectly because at the starting of the year in Melinda's life she kept on trying to have this perfect life and she was trying to hide that fact that she had been emotionally damaged by the rape. When winter comes Melinda begins to not want to try anymore and she wants to give up on everything in her life, her friends and her family ect... But when spring comes Mel begins to try and she begins to talk she begins to blossom like a tree after winter and she speaks out. The tree she ended up creating did have imperfection but that's what made it perfect and                                                                               beautiful just like her.
       

4.If you were raped what would you have done? Would you talk about it with someone or be like Melinda and keep it to yourself?

If I were in the same situation as Melinda I think that at first I would be embarrassed and that I would not want anyone knowing, but I feel like if it were to happen I would talk with my best friend about it before anyone else because, even though it isn't my fault that I got raped, I know that she wouldn't judge me and that she would help me tell my parents.

5.What roles do David and Mr. Freeman play in the novel? How does he contribute to Melinda's quest on finding her voice?

David and Mr. Freeman are key elements in Melinda's life and they are the two people who influence Melinda the most and who help her speak out. Both of these characters support Melinda through out the novel and are important in helping Melinda SPEAK. David, being one of Melinda's only friends, helps Melinda realize that if she wants to make a point or make a change that she has to speak out. Mr. Freeman helps Melinda by being there for her and comforting her. He let her know that it is okay to speak and that her is there to listen.

6.In the library when Melinda and Rachel have their written conversation, Rachel gets very mad at Melinda and accuses her of lying. What do you think of her reaction? Why does she react like this?

I think the that Rachel overreacted. I do understand as to why she might be upset, being that she is so deeply "in love" with Andy Evans but I think she should have stood up for her friend and that she should have comforted her Melinda and believed her. Gals before Pals ;)

7.Do you think Melinda should forgive Rachel for everything she has done to Melinda during the year?

I think that Melinda should forgive Rachel but I do not think that Melinda should become best friends with her again. Rachel treated her like a piece of garbage for the past year and has inflicted so much pain on Melinda, that's not what a true friend does to the other.

8.What do you think happened to Andy Evans?

I think that Andy Evans was arrested for raping a girl and for sexually assaulting so many others. And that he has been shunned by every one at the high school.

9.Do you like the way the novel ends?

I really like how this novel ends because it ends on a high note letting readers know that everything is going to be okay with Melinda and that she will move on and grow. The last scene in this novel is of Melinda talking with Mr. Freeman about what happed to her and speaking out, the last sentence in the book it "Let me tell you about it". This shows us that everything is okay and that Melinda will be okay. It ends this dark and somber novel on a high and happy level and I like that about the ending.

Daisy Journal Entry #4

I do have one connection to this story and it involves a girl who was, I would not say bullied but who felt useless and like she didn't belong just as Melinda felt in Speak. Sadly for this girl she did not have the same strength as Melinda and was not able to save herself and she resorted to drugs. It all started in elementary school. All of the girls in our grade made all of the sports teams, we all had nice clothes and were all interested in basically the same things. But there was one girl in particular who never made any teams, her parents were in a messy divorce and she felt as if there was no one there for her. This girl was one of my best friends but I am sad to say that I didn't do anything about it at the time. I didn't tell her that it was okay to speak out. I don't think anyone did really as no one really knew what she was going through . Both her mother and father were heavily involved with their boyfriend/girlfriends. She didn't feel as if anyone cared about her, when in reality we all loved her to pieces but I guess we didn't show her how much we cared.

As elementary school began to finish this girl could not keep her emotions bottled up any more and she was tired of trying in her life, just as Melinda was during the winter. The only difference between Melinda and this girl is that Melinda had this certain strength in her that helped her get through this tough time and this girl just gave up. She could not take it anymore and she began doing drugs, hanging out with the wrong crowd of friends, not caring about her self respect, skipping school and getting in trouble with the law.  I lost one of my best friends, she was such a nice girl, the girl with the biggest heart and she still is, it's just now she is so heavily involved with drugs that I lost her. If I had one wish it would be to go back in time and to tell her that it is okay for her to speak out and to tell her that I care and that I want to hear what she has to say. Her life is ruined because she didn't have anyone who told her they care, because she didn't speak and look for guidance from the friends she didn't know she had. Lucky for Melinda she had Mr. Freeman and David to give her guidance. This girl had none that she knew about, if only she had the same strength that Melinda had she would not be ruining her life, she would come back to us. I miss her like crazy and it is not fair that because of the past she is ruining her future, it is not fair that because of not feeling like she could speak and talk to anyone that she is where she is today.  It is not fair that her life is being destroyed before it has even begun.

Dolly's Journal Entry 4

 

At first, I hated so much this book and it was bugging me because the principal character, Melinda was complaining about everything but didn't do anything to make it change and wasn't communicating with anyone. But later on in the book we can see that that she is more self-confident and isn't afraid anymore of what can happen if she do this or that, she just do it. Some examples of that would be when Heather asked Melinda for her help and she said no, normally she would say yes because she would feel bad for her but she finally stand up for what she believe. Another example of Melinda's self-confidence is when Andy Evans tried to rape her again for revenge against her big mouth but Melinda didn't let him rape her again, no she fought and screams as hard as she can to get out of his grip. Something that really make me think a lot about choosing stupid love over friendship is when Melinda was finally ready to open up and tried to tell someone what happened, she chooses to tell it to Rachelle but she didn’t believe her because she was so blind by love because of Andy Evans. It kind of makes me sad because she thought that someone would finally listen to her but it didn’t happen except for Mr. Freeman, he wanted to listen to her and what she had to say. In this book, Melinda is flourishing like a tree. The tree she was drawing and the tree in general are really important in the story because it represents her progress in life and how she felt during this whole process. I think that Mr. Freeman make his students do this project to learn about themselves and to help them find a way to solve their problems. The tree also shows that it can take time to be where we want to be but its better later than never and its better doing it with someone than do it by yourself. When we start reading, the author makes us wait and hate her book but if we continue to read it, it’s getting more and more interesting, funny and we are starting to love her book and for some of us we can even relate to her book and some events.  

 

Laura's Journal Entry #2

In Laurie Halse Anderson’s “Speak,” she illustrates that without a voice, you are nothing, and people treat you as such (nothing).
Although this theme is clearly the most significant message conveyed in the novel Anderson addresses several issues throughout the book that appear in our own daily lives, and in society as a whole. First of all, we see a lot of Melinda’s family dynamic in this section of the novel. The constant arguing between Mel’s father and mother is something that so many, especially teenagers can relate to. Melinda’s parents don’t seem to realize the environment at home is a contributing factor to Melinda’s behaviour. If her parents came across more caring, maybe Melinda wouldn’t feel so scared to speak to them. Secondly, the author brings up the touchy issue of racism so well. During a class debate, the teacher is making an intolerant remark that is offensive towards immigrants. Some students take his side, while other are punished for arguing his point. Unfortunately, racism is still alive and well today in our schools, workplaces, and on our streets. Laurie incorporates this into her book to help us understand the issue. She also demonstrates the ability some teachers have to treat students a certain way depending on their beliefs, their race, and what they do, or do not stand for. In the novel in general, the author makes priority of writing about the social pyramid of high school and the way teenagers act towards one another. Melinda is always there for Heather, who is only going to be friends with her until someone better comes along. Furthermore, because Mel is so hated and outcast, it’s no big deal when others pick on her, as opposed to the way it would go down if the same thing happened to a student with true friends, popularity, and dignity. We also read about the relationship between ex-best friends that we see so often during high school and middle school. Finally, the author addressed the way women are disrespected and exposed in society. At the end of the second quarter of the novel, Heather gets a modeling job where she is told to look “sexy” and is afterwards under pressure to barely eat and lose weight. This serves the purpose of reminding us, although we’ve come a long way, especially in North America, sexism and prejudice are still huge issues, whether we realize it, or not. I feel that so often the media advertises the need to look pretty, even if it’s not a direct attempt. To conclude, in this part of the novel especially, several social issues are addressed that are extremely relatable and come up frequently in our everyday lives.

Dolly's Journal Entry 3

I really like the third part of the book "Speak" way more than the other ones because Melinda is more confident and less depress, she’s kind of funny and she decided to try to make her situation better. With this book, a lot of people can relate to it but for sure they don't have exactly the same story, I think that the author is trying to tell us something, she trying to say that there is always light in the darkness and even if we think that we are all alone in this battle there will always be someone that we didn't expect at all who will help us to reach the light. In this part of the book a lot of things happens. Like I thought, Heather didn't thought of Melinda as a friend and kind of used Melinda to not be alone till she founds a group that likes her, when she did find a group she didn't want to hang out with her anymore because she's too weird and depress when in reality Melinda helped Heather a lot to be in that group. I kind of felt sad for Melinda when she thought that the valentine note that was on her locker door was from Andy Evans or David Petrakis or a another guy that maybe likes her because she was so happy that someone cares about her but next thing you know the valentine note was from Heather to apologize. In this book Mr. Freeman is the only character who kind of care about her, he make her progress and evolve in life by doing art, he is there for Melinda when she needs it and he’s also the only one that tells her that he would like to hear what she has to say. He's like the father that Melinda wants her real father to be with her during her teenager stage and difficult situation. Later on in this chapter, the author finally stops the suspense and tells us about what happened to Melinda during last summer party and I wish I wasn't right but I am; Melinda got raped by Andy Evans. In this chapter, she opens up to us but I wish that in the last part of this novel she will take this secret out of her and will tell to other people like Mr. Freeman what happened and that they will believe her and help her. I can’t wait to read the next last part and to see what’s going to happen.     

 

 

Emily's Journal Entry #4

Laurie Halse Anderson really stepped up her game in the last quarter of Speak. Melinda's character blossomed beautifully and she has taken many steps in becoming the person she once was. One of the first things that showed Melinda's growth was when she cleaned up the yard after the snow finally melted. It was a small act, but it showed that she has the potential to work hard on things and when she asked her father to pick up flower seeds, it really showed us that she enjoys seeing the outcome of her work. Another stepping stone for Melinda was when she finally stood up to Heather. After month of Heather using Melinda to help with the work that the Marthas dumped on her, then cut all ties with Mel and fully joined the Marthas because Mel had a "reputation", she came crawling back for her assistance with prom decorations, she said no. It must have been extremely difficult for Mel, but it really helped with her confidence. There was a step taken back when Melinda told Rachel who raped her the night of the party. Rachel had just started dating Andy Evans, the boy that raped her. The conversation between Mel and Rachel started off well, Rachel was very upset that Mel didn't tell her sooner about the rape and she asked her if she had told anyone and was very sympathetic towards her. The downfall of the conversation came quickly when Rachel asked Melinda who raped her. Mel answered truthfully, that Andy Evans had done it, and Rachel blew up at her, saying that she was a liar and that she was just jealous. Which lead to the climax of the book, where Melinda was locked into her closet by Andy Evans, he was trying to rape her again, Melinda broke the mirror in the closet, held a sharp piece to his neck, drawing a bit of blood and said, " I said no." Andy opened the door to see the lacrosse team there, attracted by Melinda's cries. The final scene is where Melinda finally speaks out to someone, her art teacher, Mr. Freeman. I really enjoyed the ending of this book because Melinda saved herself, no one had to help her. This book sends a message to anyone that has been harassed, that it's okay to speak out to someone about it. For a book that started off being a downer, it had a wonderful ending.

Emily's Questions- part 3- Characters

1. Do you see a connection between Melinda and her tree sketches?

   Yes, there is definitely a connection between the two. As Melinda opens up to people and develops a more positive attitude, the details and the techniques used to draw the tree become not perfect, but realistic.

2. What was your reaction when Heather broke the friendship between her and Melinda?

    I had mixed emotions about what had happened between them. I understand that Melinda is not exactly the most positive person to be around and she doesn't want to get involved in the school like Heather does, but Melinda always helped Heather out when the Marthas gave her a ton of work and Melinda would listen to her ramble on and on about whatever it is she had to whine about. Melinda was a quiet friend that needed help and Heather was so wrapped up in her own small issues that she never really gave Melinda a time to open up about her life. Melinda was always there for Heather whether she wanted to do it or not.

3. What is your opinion on the Marthas and how they have changed Heather, causing her to leave Melinda in the shadows?

    Honestly, the Marthas are aggravating. All they do is dump work on the new kids that want to joint their social clique and take all the credit for their work. They dress way to sophisticated for a high school and they think they sit on a throne when they are as equal as any other student that walks down the halls. Their up tightness puts so much stress on new comers, like Heather, to fit in that it makes them do irrational things, like dumping friends. The social standards in this group are way too high and its causing quite a few issues in the novel.

4. Do you think that Melinda and her parents' relationship has improved at all? Explain.

If anything, the relationship between her and her parents got even worse. One part in this quarter of the book is dedicated to them arguing in the principals office. It is not all Melinda's fault, her parents are always so busy that they never sit down and talk about whats going on in their lives, which is also clearly causing a strain on their marriage. They always seem to be arguing which is only creating a negative aura in the household.

5. Do you think that Mr. Neck has been nothing but a nuisance David Petrakis and to his other students?

    Mr, Neck has always been a pain to the students in the building, but no one get more agitated than David Petrakis. In one section of the book, Mr. Neck puts on a debate about when the states should have closed up their boarders, which causes the students to rise up in anger, with their leader as David, who sets up a camera in the classroom to keep an eye on him.

6. What is your personal opinion on Melinda's art teacher, Mr. Freeman?

    Mr. Freeman is an excellent character that Laurie Halse Anderson has created in the novel. He sees that Melinda is struggling with personal issues and he tries to her her express them through art instead of bottling them up. He seems like the only reasonable person she can talk to openly with and he also states that he would really like to hear what she has to say more often.

7. What happened at the end of the marking period?

    The end of the marking period is where we find out what happened to Melinda at the party that August, she was raped by a senior named Andy Evans, who shows up a few times prior to this point in the book. Melinda was showing signs of being extremely nervous and uncomfortable around him, so it was an easy guess as to what had happened.

8. Do you think that Rachel's reaction to Melinda calling the cops that night at the party was irrational?

    Absolutely, if Rachel was a true friend, she wouldn't have gotten so upset as to completely cut off all connections with Melinda and never give her a second thought. If she had honestly cared about her, she would have asked her what was wrong right away and then comforted her and reassured her that everything was going to be alright.

9. Has your opinion on Melinda changed at all throughout the story? Explain.

    Over all, Melinda's character has become more tolerable throughout this quarter of the book. Her thoughts have become more positive and she is showing a side of her that we have yet too see, which is a nice break from all the gloom and  sadness we have seen for half of the book, she is even developing a sense of humor, a darker sense of humor, but humor none the less.

Laura's Journal Entry #4

First off, I’d like to touch on the way Melinda has developed throughout the book. At the beginning of the novel, I’ll be honest, Melinda irritated me, I couldn't understand her, and it would be an understatement to say the attitude she had towards life aggravated me. However, during the last fifty pages or so of this book, I've fallen in love with the person she’s become. She starts to care. She spends good time and effort cleaning her lawn, and gardening, she puts her everything into a school project, and etcetera. I feel so proud of Melinda, almost as a parent would of their own daughter. She is getting things back on track, which after a period of such deep depression is so hard to do. I personally find it extremely inspirational the things she is able to do. I feel as if finally being on this “peak” during a life-long journey of peaks and valleys, is not only affecting her, but the people around her as well. Mel’s and her belligerent-behaving parents are now a unified family. Now that she is her true self, she is able to make and rekindle relationships that are real, and do not take advantage of her well-being, such as those with David, and former friends Rachel and Ivy. Although Melinda’s optimistic attitude is great, it is not until the end of the chapter she has truly transformed. When Melinda is attacked for the second time by Andy Evans, she yells, she fights rape, grabbing a shard of glass and pinning Andy’s throat with it. This for me, is undeniably the most touching, amazing moment in the entire book. She was the one that took control, spoke out. A theme-involving quote from Speak reads, “When people don’t express themselves, they die one piece at a time.” Melinda was nearly dead, and according to the meaning of this quote, at that moment, she could not be more alive. Looking back to the theme of transformation, like Melinda’s carving of a tree she’s been struggling to perfect through the entire novel (symbolism), Mel was a mess, she felt unloved, broken. However after she finally stands up for herself she is able to finish her tree, and it is beautiful; hurt and imperfect, but strong, beautiful, and unique, just like Melinda.

Laura’s Journal Entry #3

"Speak" reminds me of a novel I did a report on a couple of years ago; “Out of Sight, Out of Time,” by Ally Carter. Although these novels are far from the same, there are many connections that can be made between the two. The main characters in the novels are both teenage girls that have gone through horrendous situations in which have put them in the same dark, dreary state of mind. In the book of the same series prior to “Out of Sight, Out of Time,” Cameron Morgan, the main character runs away from her locked down safe-school, in hopes to find a ring of criminals referred to as, "the circle," that have been a danger to her family for years. When she eventually ends up home, safe and sound, yet hurt and deprived of her rights, she's either neglected or picked on by her friends and peers for doing such a “reckless and inconsiderate” thing, that ended up her both physical and mental harm. This greatly resembles when Melinda goes to the party and calls the cops. Just like Cameron's, the consequences include the feelings of violation, and pain. What happened during the party, and what happened during Cameron's time away from home are the initial problems in both novels since aside from the fact it causes Mel and Cam to become outcasts, it also leads them to lose their positive outlook on life, their reason to care about the choices they make, and their childhood and innocence. A second similarity among the novels is the girls comeback, their awakening. Towards the end of the third portion of "Speak," we see Melinda beginning to rekindle her relationships with former friend Ivy. We even see her take action when she’s worried about her ex-best friend Rachel. After being in this depressing slum for so long, Melinda is progressively overcoming the effects that rape had on her, and is gaining back her personality and her voice. In the same way, towards the end of “Out of Sight, Out of Time,” Cameron is able to overcome her memory loss, the power of being mentally programed, and all she's been through to reconnect with her eventually forgiving friends. In general, both books have a very somber, dark, dreary mood, and follow the journey of two young, hurt outcasts who go the lowest points of their lives and are able to find the strength to recover.

Daisy Journal Entry #3

To me speak is a novel all about adolescence and growing up. Because this story is told by  a teenage  point of view it is very easy for almost anyone who is a teenager and who is in high school to relate to this book because we are all going through the same thing, well maybe not the exact same situation as Melinda, but we have all gone through tough times. We have all felt isolated in our lives and we have all felt as if speaking out loud and talking about our problems will only worsen the situations we are in. This novel's moral is to speak out, as speaking out although may seem hard at the time is going to be the best thing you could have done in the end.  Speak is a good lesson for everyone. Speak tells us that you should never have to feel like you have to keep your emotions bottled up, you should never feel like there is no one who cares about you because there always is. For example Melinda thinks that no one in her life cares about her anymore, she thinks that she is all alone in this world. In this part of the novel Melinda's art teacher shows her that he cares about her. When he gives her a ride to the store he tells her "You're a good kid. I think you have a lot to say. I'd like to hear it." This gives a spark of hope in the novel, it shows Melinda that people do care about her and I feel like this indication will help Melinda communicate her feelings in the end. If she knows that there are people who care and who want to listen, than she will have a better and more likely chance to tell them her story and to speak up.

Emily's Journal Entry #3

In the third part of Laurie Halse Anderson's book, Speak, we see that Melinda is starting to come out of her shell little by little and talking to people. Not about her issues really, but she's talking to her parents a bit, she's talking to a girl in her art class named Ivy, as well as her lab partner David Petrakis. This took a lot of guts for Melinda because we know she is really introverted. Another huge step for Melinda was she finally said no to Heather when she showed up at her house, telling her that she hates the Marthas, and that Mel was so smart to leave that group, but then asked Melinda to help her set up decorations for prom that the Marthas dumped on her. Well, she didn't really even ask Melinda, she kind of assumed that she would help her, which is somewhat Melinda's fault because she never spoke up about anything which made Heather assume that Melinda would never refused anything when she asked her to do it. Heather's reaction when Melinda said no really irritated me because, what was she expecting? That Melinda was just going to forgive her for abandoning her to the shadows? Well she was wrong, and when Melinda said that she had to leave, she left in a huff because she didn't get her way as she usually does with Melinda. Some symbols of Melinda's growth as a person is shown through her art work. Her trees have been getting better in detail, but never quit right, representing that she's opening up to people but never all the way. Melinda is becoming more tolerable as a character, which is changing my negative feelings towards the book into more positive ones.

Daisy's Journal Entry #2

There are three major themes in the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, communication, isolation and depression. The theme of communication is seen throughout the novel as Melinda after being sexually assaulted does not communicate any of her thoughts and feelings with anyone. She keeps her feelings all bottled up inside her. Melinda needs to discover that silence has a place and a purpose, but that sometimes speaking loudly and communicating with someone is necessary to fix your problems. Sometimes it is harder to keep your emotions inside than it is to express yourself and to speak up. Isolation is also a major theme in this novel. Melinda slowly begins to isolate herself from everyone and everything; she assumes that no one likes her when in reality a good part of her isolation is self-imposed as she withdraws from people. The main reason as to why Melinda isolates herself is because she is scared. She is scared that people will judge her and that they will hurt her as so many already have. The last major theme found in this novel is depression. Melinda is deeply sad. She's been raped and cannot tell anyone, everyone who was ever her friend (Rachel) hates her. Everything in her world is slowly beginning to be enveloped with the darkness of depression. She begins to do self-harm, not care about school or her physical appearance and is letting all of her bottled up emotions of fear and sadness take over her life. Melinda needs to discover that people are there to help her and that people care about her such as Mr. Freeman and David Petrakis. I feel that slowly with the help of these two characters Melinda will be able to heel herself and speak once again.

Laura's Journal Entry #1

This book has a very influential effect on me. In a way, although "Speak" is written in first person, and I am therefore aware of all of Melinda's thoughts, there is still a great deal of mystery about her. Furthermore, as the book progresses, Melinda speaks aloud less and less, meaning her thoughts pile up without coming out. Because of this, after only reading the first quarter of this book, I am already intrigued by Melinda's personality. Although her character seems so fiery and witty to the reader, when she rarely speaks aloud none of it shows. For example, a popular quote among our literature circle, "Gym should be illegal. It's humiliating." It's a shame her true character and brightness ends up going to waste like such.

This is an amazing quote that
 serves the purpose of introducing the setting,
as well as Melinda's character!

Melinda is very different from myself, and I think from most teenagers. In a way, reading about her confuses me because the way she thinks is so somber, and different from the way most main characters are portrayed. Melinda is clearly alone and lonesome, however I do not feel a whole lot of sympathy for her. In fact, although you should not have to stray from who you are to find true friends, Melinda needs to try harder. It aggravates me because she is constantly complaining about having no friends, but if she wants to build relationships with people, she needs to put in some effort.

Because of the setting's importance in the first quarter of the novel, its something that should be addressed. Merryweather High is a secondary school in Syracuse, New York, where the action takes place in September. What's important to realize is that the setting is extremely cliché, judgmental, and stereotyped (as clearly demonstrated in the quotes "The First Ten Lies They Tell You In High School". Meaning bullying, cliques, and depression are all extremely common and I'm sure their impact on Melinda will continue to grow.

Laura’s Questions – Section 2: Conflict

1.      In Mr. Neck’s Social Studies class, they have a debate on whether or not America should have closed her borders in 1900. Do you think the tone of the lesson was, “Racist, intolerant, and xenophobic” just as David did?

Yes, I strongly feel the take Mr. Neck took on the subject was extremely rude and intolerant. Mr. Neck is obviously not for immigration. He goes on about how newly-American citizens don’t deserve to live on their hard earned land and steal jobs from his son. However, that’s so much the issue of the matter as when he starts to punish students who are righteously standing up for what they believe in (pro-immigration), and rewarding those who take “his side.” That personally disgusts me that he’d take advantage of his power that way.

2.      Do you think the conflict between Melinda’s parents has an effect on her behavior?

Yes, I definitely think all the arguing between Mel’s parents has an impact on the way she acts. She often talks about how with her dad, its best to not say anything. This probably contributed to the fact she no longer speaks to pretty well anybody. Furthermore, Melinda’s parents often neglect her and her needs because they are so absorbed in their arguments. This negligence probably makes her feel unloved and alone, which has an effect on her negative outlook on life.

3.      Do Melinda’s parents treat each other as equals? Give an example from the text to support your answer.

No, Melinda’s father is the dominant partner in the relationship, and shows complete disrespect towards Mel’s hard-working mother. For example, during thanksgiving, Melinda’s mom cooks a proper, traditional meal. Meanwhile, her dad is complaining about the cooking and once Mel’s mom is gone for a work emergency, her dad gets takes over, uses an axe to chop the turkey, and ruins it, also ruining the holidays for Melinda’s mom who’s trying to keep the family together.

4.      Melinda is not a very likeable girl in the eyes of her peers and parents. Despite Melinda's negative outlook on life, what's something you admire about her character.

Because the novel is in a first person point of view, meaning we know what Melinda is thinking, feeling, and etcetera. To other characters in the novel, Melinda probably seems like an extremely boring, freaky-girl. Meanwhile, we hear all her quirky, clever, funny comments like, “Never has a bird been tortured so much to provide such a lousy dinner.” Melinda can be very witty, even charming, which I love about her. It’s a shame her parents and peers don't see this bright side of her.

5.      Melinda uses the bones from her thanksgiving turkey to make a sculpture in art class. She jabs knives and forks into it and sets a doll head inside its body. How does this symbolise the conflict in Melinda’s life?

This work of art represents pain. The bones in which the doll is trapped in could easily symbolise how Melinda keeps everything inside, bottled up, while the sharp utensils are all the things hurting her, such as her “big secret,” her lonesomeness, her bad grades, her family problems, and etcetera.

6.      Why do you think the author included a paragraph where Melinda looked back on her childhood memory of when she went apple picking with her family?

First of all, the background information helps develop a character, and I’m sure pretty most readers are able to connect to this experience. Most of all, I think the author included it to show us that this is not the “real” Melinda, and she was not always depressed or alone. It helps us to understand that this dark phase Melinda was caused by something, she wasn’t born this way.
 

7.      Do you think Melinda’s mother and father are fit to be good parents?

At this point in the novel, I’m not convinced Mel’s parents are fit to take care of her. First of all, on Boxing Day, her mom makes her work at the store even though she’s underage. We see the same kind of thing happen when she’s sealing envelopes at her dad’s office, while he talks with his friends and gets mad at her for “how many envelopes she bled on.”

8.      Give an example of a situation in this section of the novel, that contributes to an overall idea or theme of the novel.

When Melinda is asked to help coach the boys basketball team in turn for extra credit (an A), after having showcased her free-throw ability, she decides to not care and to show up. This situation is just one of many where Melinda doesn’t put any effort into anything. She does not care about her grades, and she has so much talent, but she’s not living up to her full potential. This really aggravates me because once again, Mel shouldn’t be complaining about her grades nor her lack of friendships if she’s not trying to get anywhere.

9.      Heather is clearly not a good friend to Melinda and always puts herself first. Why do you think Melinda, the girl that doesn’t care, puts up with it?

If feel that even though Melinda puts on the “freaky girl” face and acts like she can take things, just like everyone, she wants to be liked and not alone. I also thing Melinda feels pressured to stay friends with Heather because she can’t say no. Heather is great at pulling her into things, and using her, which again, shows Heather’s true, selfish character.

10.   How do you feel about Heather' modeling job. Is it age appropriate?

During Heather's swimsuit shoot, the photographer is saying things like, “Sexy, very sexy, think beach, think boys.” Furthermore, afterwards she talks about losing weight and starts eating next to nothing. This disgusts me. I don’t think a fourteen year old girl should be told to look “sexy.” Furthermore, I think the pressure put on her to lose weight is just as bad. I wish I could say it’s just fiction, however the truth is, this is happening right now, everywhere. Society is constantly pushing women to be thin, gorgeous, and etcetera. I’m glad the author addressed this issue. Anderson has even further demonstrated the disrespect women are given through the way Mel's father treats her mother, and the testy relationship the have.

Emily's Journal Entry #2

The second quarter of Laurie Halse Anderson's book, Speak, takes place between thanksgiving and a little bit after winter break. I had a lot of issues with the first part of the book, but now its getting ridiculous. One of the bigger issues I have with this part of the book is Heather, Melinda's so called 'friend'. Heather is extremely naive when it comes to Melinda and her personal issues. She is only using Melinda to get in with the Martha's and Melinda is not doing anything about it because Heather is all she has in the way of friends. Heather is portrayed as some sort of 'perfect civilian' but she is really starting to tick me off. She makes Melinda do all of her 'Martha work' while she's off modelling. Which brings me to the second issue I have with this book. The photographer that takes the photos at the first shoot kept telling Heather to be sexy and 'think beach, think boys'. I don't agree that you should be telling a girl in grade nine to be sexy, media today already tells girls that they need to be stick thin but also have a large chest and rear, but they also say to be who you are. It's very confusing for girls and it tends to lead towards several health issues and eating disorders. Heather is already at a size one and a half and shes aiming for a size one when the average woman in the United States is a size fourteen. The Martha's are now swarming Heather because she is a model and they all want to be her new best friend, leaving Melinda in the background. A short while after that has died down, there is one quick scene where the author makes Melinda cut herself on her left wrist. Self harm is a prominent issue in society, just like eating disorders, and I do not believe it should be written the as it was. Laurie Halse Anderson wrote it as if it didn't mean anything, like Melinda was bored and wanted to see what it was like which hit a nerve because it isn't something that I take lightly. The author made this book with so many issues in it and I am not sure how she is going to tie them all up in the end to make some sort of happy ending, if it even has one.
   
                                   

Dolly's Journal Entry 2

In the second part of the novel "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, the action happens during the Thanksgiving Holidays and there is two new characters, David Petrakis her lab partner and Andy Evans a cute guy that Melinda doesn't like. I don't know why but I think that Andy Evans rapped Melinda during the last summer's party and that David and Melinda maybe are going to be in couple but, this book frustrate me so much more than the other time because we don't really learn something about Melinda or what happened during the party. Also, I think that the author kind of takes suicide and self-harming for a joke or something like that and make the sentence «If u need help tell your teacher, friends or parents about it» just feel like another stupid sentence because in the book Melinda’s mother doesn’t really care about her and what she did on her arm and she doesn’t have time for her too which I think is really not good for a child or teenager to live in an environment with no affection because they will do does kind of thing to themselves to have attention. Melinda kin of made me because her gym teacher kind of offered a plate of gold to her to change her situation which means being in the basketball team, make new friends, have a group who likes her and having better grades but no Melinda is way too lazy and doesn't want to run or sweat or do anything that involves her to do more than put her butt on a chair doing art or reading which is really the stupidest thing she could ever have done. Instead she chooses to draw the Marthas' food drive posters for Heather and next thing you know the Marthas didn't liked it and Heather didn't even stood up for her, what a good friend she is and I'm sure that Heather is going to ditch Melinda at some point. Like I really do think that Melinda doesn't just like but loves the situation she is in right now and that she doesn't care about anything not even herself because if she did she would have grabbed this opportunity with no doubts but I also understand her because she has a big secret that she keeps inside of her and make her a really somber and dark character. For the moment I still do not like this book and I’m still waiting for a miracle to happen to make this novel a little bit more interesting.