Speak+-+9

== =Speak-The Talker by Sydney Ramos= The novel //Speak// by Laurie Halse Anderson is a young adult fiction with 198 pages. Melinda Sordino is an unliked 9th grader at Merryweather High. The whole student body and even some unfriendly teachers like Mr. Neck don't appreciate Melinda's presence. Melinda feels alone once her best friend won't speak to her and everyone has something mean to say to Melinda. Even though they don't know her at all. Seeing as to what happened that summer night. Calling the cops to bust a popular high school party caused others to get arrested for under aged drinking. Everyone assumes Melinda called the cops in order for everyone to get in trouble. But only two people know the real reason. Melinda and It. Melinda can't speak about It. The trauma they're causing her and the fear it gives her everytime she thinks or even see's It. This one event, one summer night changes Melinda terribly. She feels being alone is the safest thing for her. This includes flunking most of her classes and barely speaking to anyone even her parents. But there is one person who Melinda has mixed feelings about, Mr. Freeman her art teacher. Something about him makes Melinda want to do something about her dilemma. In //Speak// Melinda debates telling the truth about what really happened that night and if dong so will give her a better all around high school experience or letting her fears eat her alive. The theme character vs. character is most common in //Speak.// Melinda and Andy have some encounters that cause Melinda to become less likely to tell the truth about him and what he's done. Though she learns that becoming stronger and fighting back might actually help her in the end. Another theme Character vs. Society. The whole high school de-friends Melinda. This causes her to be even more silent. She tries to avoid everyone as much as possible. Though she learns there may be some people in her school that can be nice.Lastly, another theme is character vs. self. throughout the book Melinda struggles with self-esteem and confidence. She just lets everyone belittle her and seems to accept it. But after a long period of time she realizes doing this wont help her problem. I would recommend this book to anyone between 14-18 years old to inform them on speaking out if they have a problem. Not to keep it to themselves. //Speak// is an emotional, enjoyable book about a girl who has many tings to say but no one to speak to.

The Questioner by Kaceylee Klein

Several questions to think upon:


 * How would you act in Melinda’s place? Would you stay quiet or speak out? Why?


 * There has been much controversy and censorship of //Speak.// Would you support the censorship of this book? Why?


 * Would you support teaching //Speak// in schools? Why?


 * What do you think of Melinda’s art? What do you think it symbolizes in the story and her development?


 * What do you think of the adults’ involvement in Melinda’s life?


 * What do you think the turkey none sculpture symbolized? Why?

Links to more information on the content of //Speak//:


 * A brief summary and opinion on speak:

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 * A website with more information on rape:

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Hannah F- "The Glogger" []

Jenna Q- "the director" http://animoto.com/play/iV80zOQc10U7CqtoQBIt6Amedia type="custom" key="12121460"