Summary Once again, Merryweather High changes its mascot. This time the school switches from the Devils to the Tigers, which has the Ecology Club in a frenzy. The Eco Club suggests that the new name is demeaning to an endangered species. In Spanish class, the class learns that linda means […]
Read more Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Name Name Name”-“Nightmare””Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Dinner Theater”-“Halloween””
Summary Melinda’s parents receive an update on her grades and confront her about her poor performance at dinner one night. Melinda is impervious to their comments and retreats to her room. At school, Melinda finds biology tolerable as she has an ally of sorts in her lab partner, David Petrakis, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Dinner Theater”-“Halloween””Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Cheerleaders”-“Acting””
Summary At the pep rally, Melinda lists the names of the cheerleaders, giving some of them the names of Santa’s reindeer, to ridicule them. She can’t believe they can be seen as innocent and perky at the pep rally one day and the next day go to parties, get drunk, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Cheerleaders”-“Acting””Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Heathering”-“Devils Destroy””
Summary Melinda takes the bus to Heather’s house and they hang out, eating popcorn and watching television. Heather is determined to worm her way into popularity and tries to get Melinda to participate in her plans by making goals for the year. Melinda dismisses Heather’s plans and is only interested […]
Read more Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Heathering”-“Devils Destroy””Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Welcome to Merryweather High”-“Sanctuary””
Summary It is Melinda’s first day of high school and she is dreading it. She gets on the bus and sits in the middle, not wanting to be lumped with the “losers” at the back of the bus or the little kids at the front. By the time the bus […]
Read more Summary and Analysis First Marking Period, Welcome to Merryweather High”-“Sanctuary””Character List and Analysis Minor Characters
Mr. Freeman Melinda’s art teacher, he serves as a role model for her on how to use art to express and deal with difficult emotions. Rachel/Rachelle Melinda’s former best friend; her relationship with Andy Evans spurs Melinda to speak up. David Petrakis Melinda’s lab partner; he speaks up against Mr. […]
Read more Character List and Analysis Minor CharactersCharacter List and Analysis Heather
A new girl from out of town, Heather is the opposite of Melinda in many ways. Unlike Melinda, Heather does not accept her role as outcast and does her best to win popularity by ingratiating herself with various groups at school. She is self-centered and unable to see that she […]
Read more Character List and Analysis HeatherCharacter List and Analysis Andy Evans
Andy Evans is the antagonist in Speak. He is a narcissistic senior in high school who is used to getting his way, either through charm or by force. After raping Melinda at a summer party, he continues to antagonize her throughout the novel, showing his inability to empathize with others. […]
Read more Character List and Analysis Andy EvansCharacter List and Analysis Melinda Sordino
Melinda, a high school freshman, is the protagonist in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. The summer before starting high school, she was raped by a senior student, Andy Evans. Due to her trauma and inability to tell anyone about what happened, Melinda spirals into a dark depression; loses her ability to […]
Read more Character List and Analysis Melinda SordinoBook Summary
Melinda Sordino begins her freshman year at Merryweather High School in Syracuse, New York, with a heavy secret weighing on her. 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 […]
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