In 2020, the book was named the fourth most banned and challenged book in the United States “because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity.”

Who is the narrator for Speak?

Melinda “Mel” Sordino (born February 18) is the main character and narrator of Laurie Halse Anderson’s 1999 novel Speak. Her last name, Sordino, is an Italian word that can be translated as “deaf.” The character’s ordeals were based on Anderson’s own experiences; she was raped one summer prior to starting high school.

What age is the book Speak appropriate for?

Ages 12-up.

Who wanted the book Speak banned?

In September of 2010 one Missouri professor wanted the book banned from the Republic School District because he considered the two rape scenes “soft pornography.” His attack on the book elicited a media storm of responses including a statement from the author herself in which she defended her book.

How old is Melinda in speak?

Melinda is very perceptive and bright, but her vision is sometimes clouded by her suffering. She’s only fourteen-years-old, and she’s dealing with one of the worst things that can happen to a person: rape. High school senior Andy Evans rapes Melinda at the end-of-summer party just before Melinda starts 9th grade.

Did Melinda get raped in the book speak?

Her parents and guidance counselor try to get her to open up about her poor academic performance, but Melinda refuses to speak to them. However, over many months of painful silence and self-harm in the form of lip- and nail-biting, Melinda finally admits to herself that Andy Evans raped her at the party last summer.

Is speak a movie?

Speak is a 2004 American independent coming-of-age teen drama film based on the award-winning 1999 novel of the same name by Laurie Halse Anderson. It stars Kristen Stewart as Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman who practically stops talking after a senior student rapes her.

Did Melinda tell her parents about the party?

The night of the party last summer, Melinda came home late instead of spending the night with friends. Neither of her parents was home — her mother got in around two in the morning, and her father arrived around dawn. Melinda does not know how to tell them about that night without also addressing their own whereabouts.

What chapter did Melinda get raped in the book speak?

Speak Chapter 89 | Shmoop.

How did the book speak end?

For example, at the end of Speak, Melinda finally draws a tree that expresses her emotions. At the very, very end, Melinda is about to tell Mr. Freeman, her art teacher, her story.

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How old was Kristen Stewart in speak?

Stewart starred in the Lifetime/Showtime television film Speak (2004), based on the novel by the same name by Laurie Halse Anderson. Stewart, aged 13 at the time of filming, played a high school freshman, Melinda Sordino, who nearly stops speaking after being raped.

Why do people like the book speak?

The chapters are short and it’s easy to read while sending out a meaningful message about the power of speaking up. It’s a good book because it’s realistic. The story of Melinda is something that can happen to anyone. … I also liked this book because I could relate to the story and I think other people could as well.

Why should the book speak be taught in school?

It’s been used in schools in order to not only teach literary analysis but also to teach and give students tools against sexual harassment.

Why is the book speak a good book?

The Themes. Speak is a deeply emotional and richly complex young adult novel that has many themes to be discussed. The first major theme of the novel is disdain from others. Why so many students hate Melinda at the beginning of the novel is a mystery, but it plays a big role in making her feel like an outcast.

What is wrong with Melinda's lips in speak?

For much of the story, Melinda’s lips are described as cracked, swollen and dry. The ugliness of her mouth represents the ugliness and shame she feels inside as well as her inability to take care of herself. Later, as Melinda begins to heal and learns to speak about the rape, the condition of her lips improves.

Why does Melinda call Andy Evans it?

Recall that when she first met him at the summer party, she nicknames him “Greek God.” After the rape, she minimizes him to two letters: IT. Then she uses his full name, Andy Evans, indicating she is more willing to confront what happened to her.

What does it whisper in Melinda's ear?

Melinda spends the next two weeks making and hanging the posters for Heather and the can drive. She is hanging one up outside the metal shop room when suddenly IT creeps up behind her and whispers in her ear, “Freshmeat.” IT keeps finding her and she cannot ignore IT.

Does Rachel believe Melinda?

Unfortunately, Rachel has totally turned against Melinda. She, like everybody else, seems to believe that Melinda called the cops at the party just to get everybody in trouble. Like Melinda, Rachel changes a lot throughout the novel. Many of these changes are beyond our reach, because they are beyond Melinda’s.

Is the book speak banned?

Speak, a 1999 young adult novel written by Laurie Halse Anderson was named one of the “Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2020” by NPR. This book is a hat trick being “banned, challenged, and restricted.” The novel tells the story of Melinda Sordino. She has lost her friends, her social status, her GPA, and her voice.

What did Andy do to Melinda?

Andy Evans was a senior in high school as well as the rapist of Melinda Sordino. He met Melinda at a party, and he took her into the woods to rape her. Melinda tried to call 911 to help her, but she didn’t know what to tell them. This led to several people getting arrested at the party, and Melinda becoming an outcast.

How does Melinda warn Rachel about Andy speak?

As she vacillates between the two ideas, Melinda stares at her Maya Angelou poster and knows Maya wants her to tell. So, Melinda writes an anonymous note warning Rachel that Andy has attacked a ninth grader.

How are Melinda and Heather different?

Unlike Melinda, Heather does not accept her role as outcast and does her best to win popularity by ingratiating herself with various groups at school. She is self-centered and unable to see that she uses Melinda (the same way Melinda uses Heather) to avoid facing the fact that they’re both friendless.

Who is Greta Ingrid in speak?

Greta-Ingrid is one of Rachel’s new foreign exchange student friends, whose name Melinda intentionally fails to remember. She is incredibly beautiful and, like Rachel, appears to have captured the interest of Melinda’s rapist Andy Evans.

Why does Rachel hate Melinda?

Although she and Melinda used to be best friends, Rachel now hates Melinda, believing (like the other students at their high school) that Melinda called the police on a summer party in order to get others in trouble, when really she was attempting to report her own rape.

What does Melinda call her teachers?

Hairwoman. Hairwoman is Melinda’s English teacher, so named for the crazy hairdo that covers her face….

Who took Melinda to Kyle's party?

Looking up at the moon, Melinda recalls that it “looked closer back in August.” She flashes back to Kyle Rodgers’ end-of-the-summer party, a cool party for upperclassmen and cheerleaders into which Rachel had snuck Melinda and the rest of their friends by blackmailing her upperclassman older brother.

How did Melinda get raped?

The summer before starting high school, she was raped by a senior student, Andy Evans. Due to her trauma and inability to tell anyone about what happened, Melinda spirals into a dark depression; loses her ability to speak with ease; and can express her pain only through physical acts, such as biting her lips and nails.

How does Melinda view herself in the Communication 101 section?

Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Melinda embraces the role of a survivor and sees herself as a “Melindagirl” seed, ready to grow and flower.

What does Melinda do with the turkey?

Melinda rescues the turkey bone from the trash and brings it into art class. Mr. Freeman encourages her creative experiment, and Melinda ends up gluing the turkey bones to a block of wood and putting a Barbie doll head with its mouth taped shut inside of the bones.

What athletic ability does Melinda reveal?

What athletic ability does Melinda reveal? How does the coach react and what is Melinda’s response? Why do you think she feels this way? Melinda reveals that she is good at basketball.

Who are the Marthas in speak?

The official Marthas are Meg Harcutt, Emily Briggs, and Siobhan Falls. They consider themselves followers of Martha Stewart and they decorate accordingly. They raise money and food for charity, but they also seem to be rude, shallow human beings. At least, this is how Melinda perceives them.