Laurie Halse Anderson

Words: 436
Pages: 2
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Nate Raisner
2/15/17
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Summary of “Speak”

In the young adult book “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda Sordino starts her freshman year at Merryweather High School. Melinda is a nice girl who doesn’t have many friends to begin with. She has had friends before high school, but she hasn’t reunited with them. During the past summer, Melinda called the police during a party which resulted in Melinda not having any friends.
Melinda makes a new friend named Heather. Heather is new at their high school, and they become close. But, Heather constantly tries to become popular, and tries to be friends with the popular girls. Heather wants Melinda to play fun and games to become popular with her, but Melinda obviously doesn’t want to be friends …show more content…
In all of her classes, she doesn’t get very good grades. But, in art, Melinda strives and feels comfortable. Her teacher, Mr. Freeman helps her with her project, and is a nice teacher who Melinda likes very much. She works on a year-long project of a tree.
There is a boy named Andy, who Melinda calls “IT”. He is a senior who Melinda abhors. She begins to realize that what happened at the party she was at over the summer was real, and she begins to deal with it. Melinda was raped by Andy, and starts to become depressed. She harms herself, and constantly bites her nails. Melinda confronts her old friend, Rachel, about Andy and what he may do to her, she does not believe her. Melinda is mad, but she begins to feel lighter, she stops carrying a burden.
Melinda starts to feel happier, and does more with her life. She sometimes does chores around her yard, has more self-esteem, and works even harder in school. Also, Melinda improves her tree in art class, and tries her best to make it the way she likes it. She connects with old friends, and talks to girls who have also been harassed or attacked by Andy. Melinda finishes her art project, and tells Mr. Freeman what had happened to her over the summer. Mr. Freeman and Melinda are closer than before, and she gains a new
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