Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, is about a depressed girl named Melinda. Melinda has no friends in her first year of high school. The summer before her freshman year Melinda goes to a party, gets drunk, and is raped by a senior named Andy Evans. Melinda calls the police who come and arrest some kids for underage drinking. Melinda's friends get mad at her for calling the police, and she starts out high school with no friends. Melinda's only friend, Heather, leaves her to join a clique.
Her depression gets worse. She stops talking to her parents and starts skipping school. Melinda has bad grades in everything except art, which is taught by Mr. Freeman. Mr. Freeman understands her pain and wants her to express it in her art.
Melinda's old friend, Rachel, starts dating Andy. Melinda warns her. Rachel finally believes Melinda and dumps Andy. Andy knows Melinda told Rachel and tries raping Melinda for the second time. Hearing her screams, Melinda's old friend, Nicole and the lacrosse team come to her aid.
At the end of the year Melinda is considered a brave person. She tells her story and tries moving on with her life.
-Anna Low
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