1. By: Laurie Halse Anderson Quarter 2 Novel Study
Speak
By: Laurie Halse Anderson
Quarter 2 Novel Study

2. Setting
Takes place in Syracuse, New York

3. Setting
Occurs over the course of one school year (Fall, Winter, Spring) in high school at Merryweather High.
In the 9th grade.
The author utilizes the setting by placing the story in a city environment making it busy and independent.

4. Main Character Melinda Sordino She is the narrator of the story.
After a rape at a summer party, Melinda becomes an outcast from all of her friends because she called the police, and ends up nearly silent.
Nobody understands the meaning of her silence, or why she really called the police, and she becomes depressed and ignored.

5. Other Important Characters
Andy Evans “IT” or Andy “Beast”
Heather Billings
Rachel/Rachelle Bruin
Ivy
David Petrakis
Mr. Freeman (Art teacher)

6. Conflict
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Self

7. Plot At A Glance Back Story:
In middle school, Melinda was popular among her friends. The summer before entering high school, 9th grade, Melinda was raped and called the police. After entering high school, Melinda is an outcast and considered a freak.
All her friends abandoned her not knowing the real reasons why Melinda called the police.
Melinda had not opened up about the incident to anyone, even her parents.
It is all up to her to SPEAK.

8. Pay Attention To The Following
Tone
How is the narrator sounding when she speaks?
Imagery
What images come to mind while reading and when the narrator describes her feelings.
Symbolism
The word “SPEAK”
The narrators lips
Trees
Theme
What is the author trying to teach her readers?

9. Novel Responsibilities
Speak will be read in class. Copies cannot be checked out – if you are absent you will have to come in before/after school to read.
You will be completing a “Readers Response” after we read. You will be asked to reflect on the readings and to discuss (1-2 quotes) that you find to be significant to the character development, setting, theme, symbols, etc.
Closure for the class will include, but not limited to, adding responses to our speak tree.