Speak, published in 1999, is a young adult novel by laurie halse anderson that tells the story. The main character melinda, has a particularly hard time fitting in because of an incident that took place over the summer anderson, 1999. Book report pride and prejudice the great novel, pride and prejudice, was written by an english novelist called jane austen in the 19th century. I mean, the summary doesnt reveal much kind of like melinda herself and so, obviously, i made my own assumptions of the plot. I read this for my young adult literature class along with scholastic articles about the book, which added a great new layer to my interpretation of the novel. Melinda from the book speak wanted to have friends again and get her life back, but some devastating things occurred that really affected and changed her life, so this experience lets melinda think about what she is going to do and she learns a lot about herself and gains courage and bravery. Free study guide for speak by laurie halse anderson. The novel was a new york times bestseller the year it was released and it was a national book award finalist as well as the winner of the 2000 ala best book for young.
A book report can challenge the student to use higher order thinking skills in order to understand and interpret literature. In a stunning first novel, anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. Jan 21, 2020 every year several books are challenged and banned across the nation by individuals and organizations who believe the content of the books is inappropriate. Speak tells the story of melinda sordino, a ninth grader at merryweather high school in syracuse, new york. Anderson touches on the theme of female empowerment throughout the novel. A lesson worth reading and worth analyzing every little detail, no matter how the writing is and no matter how repetitive it can get. Dec 05, 2016 i know this book is considered a classic precursor of many others that followed in its same vein, but i must admit im not on board with the amount of praise that has been heaped on it, at the time of its publication and in the years hence. At the end of the summer before she enters high school, melinda attends a party at which two bad things happen to her. Book reports seem part of the realm of middle school and elementary school. Get the details on what these assignments entail and how to write a great book report. Speak, by laurie halse anderson, is a book about the trials and tribulations of high school life. In the book, speak by laurie halse anderson, a young girl, melinda, who used to be a popular girl is now an outcast. Known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity, her work has earned numerous national and state awards, as well as international recognition.
Speak, published in 1999, is a young adult novel by laurie halse anderson that tells the story of high school freshman melinda sordino. Anderson creates this one of a kind novel with care and deep emotions which makes speak so irrisistable. Laurie halse andersons speak is a novel that makes a definite argument. However, the book has faced censorship for its mature content. This is a gritty, powerful book that teachers and parents could use to launch a number of discussions. At the party, melinda feels uncomfortable and out of place. How to speak dolphin a book report by shella norman. Speak study guide contains a biography of laurie halse anderson, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full.
Speak by laurie halse anderson goodreads share book. This adds to the theme of being outcast and isolated because the she has no one to really talk to. Speak by laurie halse anderson is a young adult novel that was published in 1999. In the book speak, one of the biggest conflicts is when melinda was at a summer party. Every year several books are challenged and banned across the nation by individuals and organizations who believe the content of the books is inappropriate.
Her parents and guidance counselor try to get her to open up about her poor academic performance, but melinda refuses to speak to them. Speak was very well paced and i never found the story to be dragging or boring. Current issue special issues all issues manage subscription subscribe. Keep reading to learn about the basic steps needed for completing college book report projects. I loved the character development and melindas voice throughout 2017 reread. Its a short novel where the life of an individual is so much more, and worth so much more, but. An internal conflict that melinda is struggling with depression the song human by christina perri is the perfect example of an internal conflict of depression, because it describes what a person with depression goes through. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Edwards award given by the yalsa division of the american library.
Only then can true growth and development thrive worldover. Her stepdad, don, and her autistic brother, adam, are the only things she has left. Two key scenes feature violence, but they are expressionistic, and most readers will be prepared for them. I would recommend this book to the age group of 1216, because the theme, to my surprise is a little bit more mature, yet its at an easier reading level. It tells the story of yearold melinda, who was raped at an endofsummer party and feels she can tell no one about it as she begins her freshman year. Since its publication, speak has received both critical acclaim and censorship. Controversial book about rape is powerful and painful. The sdgs can only be realized with strong global partnerships and cooperation. Accurate descriptions of the minutiae of high school will appeal to any teen who has felt like an outsider, and when melinda is finally able to speak, readers will rejoice in her triumphs. In this guide, we will describe in details how to write a book report college level. The publisher of the novel is farrar straus giroux and was publisher in october 1999 with 197 pages.
Immediately download the speak summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching speak. There was drinking and drugs at the party, but this isnt the reason melinda decided to crash the party. In short, the novel argues that if you are a victim of a sexual assault, you will need to speak about it in order to heal. Oct 22, 1999 speak, to me, is taken more as a lesson than just a book. Apr 16, 2015 the book i read was how to speak dolphin by ginny rorby the book was about a girl named lily who has a stepfather and an autistic fouryearold brother.
After accidentally busting an end of summer party due to an unnamed incident, melinda is ostracized by her peers because she will not say why she called the police. Background information speak was challenged many times in many different areas, for many different reasons. If anyone has any ideas for the poster or knows the conflict please help me out. Your audience is waiting for you lets face it, finding speaking gigs and submitting your information to them is a time consuming process. It is based on a true story and is based on what people like me teens go through. Book summary over the summer, she and her friends went to a party and melinda ended up calling the police, causing her friends and everyone at the party to socially reject her. The narrator begins the book by describing her bus ride to school. Speak, laurie halse anderson speak is book about a young girl who loses her voice after being raped and slowly gains it back over time. Compare with other masterpiece which seriously pointed out the big, common, peopleoftendisregard problem at that time in the society such. Melinda chooses to do a report on suffragettes for extra credit in mr. August before her freshman year, melinda and her closest friends attend a party with seniors and beer. But the books overall gritty realism and melindas hardwon metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired. I also have to make an advertising poster for the book.
You dont often hear of students doing book reports in high school, but i feel much can be learned by doing such an assignment in the higher grades. Parents need to know that speak is a graphic novel adaptation of the acclaimed novel by laurie halse anderson, with art by emily carroll. Table of contents next page downloadable printable version. Speak is a novel about empowerment and it is a book that every teen, especially teen girls, should read. Shes riding the bus to her first day of high school. I have to do a book report on the book speak and i cant seem to find the conflict. When those attended the party find out that it was melinda who called the police, even her closest friends refuse to speak to her and melinda begins her freshman year as an outcast, friendless except for a new student, heather, who melinda refers to throughout the first part of the novel as heather from ohio.
There is a time to be quiet and a time to speak out, and on the issue of sexual assault, a young woman needs to find the courage to raise her voice and ask for help. If you look for a quick and effective help with organizing, reading, understanding and writing book reports, look no further. One of the many lies they tell students in high school. The main character melinda, has a particularly hard time fitting in. The summer before starting high school, she was raped by a senior student, andy evans. Or at least, that is the viewpoint of melinda sordino, the protagonist of speak by laurie halse. Laurie halse anderson uses an internal voice throughout the book to show the havoc that is attacking melindas mind. Although her environment is snowy and icy usually a negative symbol within the book, melinda enjoys being surrounded by nature, and engaging in activities like making a. After what had happened she called the cops and a lot of people got arrested for under aged drinking and taking drugs.
Speak, to me, is taken more as a lesson than just a book. Welcome to merryweather high in laurie halse andersons speak. Speak by laurie halse anderson is a young adult novel that was published in. Speak is a book that i would recommend to any young adult reader, and in fact to any young adult, as it does examine some serious issues and how jumping to conclusions about people can cause some serious hurt. Hopefully, reporting the attacker will make it less likely he or she will hurt you, or.
The book i read was how to speak dolphin by ginny rorby the book was about a girl named lily who has a stepfather and an autistic fouryearold brother. Speak by laurie halse anderson is multiple awardwinning books, but it is also listed by the american library association as one of the top 100 books challenged between 20002009. For extra credit, melinda does a report on the suffragettes who risked jail to fight for womens right to vote, own property, and get the same access to education as men. Melinda writes an excellent report, complete with footnotes and lots of sources. Speak summary at wikisummaries, free book summaries.
The novel was adapted into a movie in 2004 starring kristen stewart. If you are new to the speaking industry, you may not even know where to start. The novel was a new york times bestseller the year it was released and it was a national book award finalist as well as the winner of the 2000 ala best book for young adults award. Thus speak can be seen not as the story of a girl growing stronger, but of an already strong girl overcoming depression. Speak study guide contains a biography of laurie halse anderson, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Her old friends will not speak to her and no other clans, as.
This book speak transcends the age barrier, and talks about. Speak questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on speak. The book s main character and firstperson narrator, melinda, is the main reason i give only two stars. November book report how to speak dolphin ginny rorby how to speak dolphin is a book about a girl named lily who goes on a thrillseeking adventure with her autistic brother, dolphins, and new friends. Each report on this website is focused on short summary, characters analysis and authors biography. Ive owned this book for years and never got around to reading it until yesterday. Speak up for yourselfwe want to know what you have to say.
Jun 04, 2011 speak, laurie halse anderson speak is book about a young girl who loses her voice after being raped and slowly gains it back over time. Melindas only friend is heather, a new student, who tries to get melinda involved in her schemes to gain popularity. View homework help book report by ali zabara from psych 601 at east carolina university. Character list and analysis melinda sordino melinda, a high school freshman, is the protagonist in laurie halse andersons speak. Complete comprehensive study guide and summary of speak by laurie halse anderson. A frightening and sobering look at the cruelty and viciousness that pervade much of contemporary high school life, as real as todays headlines. Speak book report by laurie halse anderson essay example. I feel that the story emphasizes on both the plot and the character because its about what the character goes through and her struggling with this plot. At the party there was drinking and drugs but the worst part was when melinda got raped by andy evans.
The title gives us a pretty big hint as to what this might be. This book was challenged a few years ago 20, by a parent in sarasota who did not feel it was appropriate for her. Shocked and scared, she calls the police, who break up the party and send everyone home. She used to be very social, outgoing, and loved until one night at a party. Neck allows david to speak his mind when david raises his hand. The book i have just finished reading is called speak by laurie halse anderson. Book reports offers general guidance, book analysis and brief summary for more than 500 books of classic literature.
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