Speak (novel)
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Speak is a 1999 novel by Laurie Halse Anderson about a teenager named Melinda Sordino. It was made into a film in 2004, see Speak (movie).
Synopsis
Melinda Sordino is raped by Andy Evans. Melinda calls the police and they bust the party. Due to this, Melinda's ex-friends refuse to speak to her and she is left an outcast.
Melinda starts high school with no friends, but she makes friends with a new student from Ohio named Heather. Melinda and Heather aren't exactly best friends, and the only reason for their friendship is that both are desprate for a friend.
Melinda's art teacher, Mr. Freeman, has his class do a project where they take a subject and make it say something by the end of the year. Melinda's subject is "tree."
Melinda's xenophobic social studies teacher, Mr. Neck, gets upset when his son doesn't get a job. He makes the class debate whether America should have closed its borders in 1900. When one student makes an argument that Mr. Neck is not pleased with, he ends the debate. To Melinda's surprise David Petrakis, the teacher's pet, stands up to Mr. Neck.
Heather becomes interested in joining a clan called the Marthas, who follow Martha Stewart. Melinda tries to convince her otherwise, but Heather doesn't heed her words. Heather eventually leaves Melinda and joins the Marthas.
Melinda begans to regains her relationship with one of her former friends, Ivy, who is in her art class. Another of Melinda's former friends, Rachel/Rachelle begins to date Andy Evans, Melinda's rapist. Melinda sends her anonymous note to warn her about Andy Evans, but Rachel/Rachelle doesn't respond to it.
Melinda eventually tells Rachel/Rachelle what happened, the first time she ever tells anyone, but Rachel/Rachelle believes Melinda is jealous, and doesn't believe her.
After the prom, Rachel/Rachelle changes her mind and discloses Melinda's story. Andy Evans is furious and he attempts to rape her again. He doesn't succeed and Melinda's popularity increases dramatically.