Speak about Banned Books Week
In honor of Banned Books Week and a controversy brewing in Missouri, I read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. While I have been familiar with Anderson for some time, I had never read this book. It is a powerful book that deals with a delicate subject. The main character, Melinda, is dealing with a rape that happened in her recent past. The book follows her through her first year in high school. Obviously, the transition to high school is not the easiest transition for anyone, but the issues of the past make it nearly impossible for Melinda. She has told no one about what happened to her, so she is dealing with it on her own. Her main coping strategy is to withdraw and avoid speaking. As you read this book, you will understand Melinda’s difficulty in dealing with this huge issue. How does she resolve all of this? You will have to read the book to find out.
