I started rereading Speak a few nights ago when it was 3 am and I couldn’t fall asleep. This is probably my 12th time reading it—I’ve lost count at this point—but I still excitedly turn each page in anticipation for the next part. I wasn’t a big reader when I was younger, but I found my love for books in middle school when they became the most exciting part of my day. Speak was one of the first books that truly taught me how reading can change your life.
It tells the story of Melinda Sordino, a young girl starting her freshman year of high school in isolation. She was raped at an end-of-the-summer party but didn’t tell anyone about what happened to her. She barely spoke to anyone during the year that followed, including her family. She kept the secret of her assault buried deep inside and struggled with seeing her rapist almost every day at school. Her internal monologue was so strong throughout the novel and resonates with me every single time; she will always be one of my favorite characters of all time.
Last year, author Laurie Halse Anderson opened up about Melinda being based on herself, as she was also raped at 13 years old. She’s even coming out with a new memoir about her experience called Shout that will be coming out this March. This adds even more emotion and importance to the story for me, knowing that this isn’t something she made up; this is something she experienced and lived with in silence for a long time.
Speak helped me through middle school when I sat alone at lunch and needed a book to stick my nose into. Melinda was my friend who understood what it felt like to be an outcast.
Speak helped me through high school when I was scared to be in a new place and had to navigate my way through it. Melinda was someone who knew exactly what that felt like.
Speak is currently helping me through college as I continue my search for finding my voice and using it proudly.
I thank Laurie and Melinda for giving me a new sense of purpose each time I pick up their story. It means so much to me, and I’m sure it will for many years to come.