Happy last day of September! Spooky season is almost here! I can’t wait. Here is my September book review. I read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. It was definitely more of a heavy read. It covered a very sensitive topic, but something that all teens today should be aware of and know the best way to handle the situation. Teens need to know that they can speak up and stand up for themselves.
The protagonist, Melinda Sordino was sexually assaulted at a party the summer before freshman year. She called the police which ended the party, though she never found the courage to share the real reason she called the police. Throughout the book we see how she shifts from the perfect student, friend, and daughter, to being glared at when walking down the halls, eating lunch in the bathroom, and failing all her classes, most of the time not even showing up. We see her life turn completely upside down, so much so that she stops speaking. In the end she finds her voice and discovers that silence is not a solution.
Laurie Halse Anderson wrote this novel to inform teens about sexual assault and the importance of speaking out for yourself and for others. The best thing you can do is let someone know what is going on, never stay silent. My mom always tells me that you should never bottle everything up inside you, because at some point you won’t be able to hold it in anymore, and it will all come out in the worst possible way. Talking things out and finding help can never hurt you. Tell your parents, tell an adult in your life, tell your best friend, just tell someone.
xoxo, Joanna