Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux. Everyday was torment for Melinda when dealing with peers at school. Constantly called names and alone, Melinda lost her voice, unable to speak about that night she called the police. Not until the end does Melida find her voice through her artwork and she begins to reach out to others in hopes someone would here her speak.

The content of sexual abuse, harassment and rape are context that should be considered for students of age 12 or older, depending on the maturity of the individual. The story of Speak is told through the protagonist’s point of view as she describes her harassment throughout her freshman year of high school.  Although the story is tragic in the context and events towards the end, Melinda is able to overcome and speak up for herself.

This book could be used to help adolescents understand that judgment of others is a lack of understanding certain individuals. By judging someone or something before knowing what really happened is setting they up for failure and heartache in the end.