2. EXPLORING THE NOVEL s p e a k by Laurie Halse Anderson

3. “…(is) the tough, tender, and darkly funny story of a teenage outcast.”

4. But wait, before we read…

5. Open up the novel. How is this book like other books? Is there a table of contents? How is the book organized? Consider why Anderson may have done this…

6. THESTORYTELLERTHESTORYTELLER It is always important to figure out who is telling the story you are reading. “”It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache.” (p. 3, first line of Speak) From what point of view will this story be told?

7. Consider this…

8. outcast n : a person who is rejected (from society or home) [syn: castaway, pariah]

9. And remember that s p e a k…

10. “…(is) the tough, tender, and darkly funny story of a teenage outcast.”

11. at some point in his/her life? Who of us hasn’t felt rejected’, outcast like an outcast,