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Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

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The book I read was Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. The title of the book represents so much of the entire book even though it’s just one simple word. The main character, Melinda, was raped at a high school party while she drank too much. She later called the cops and lost all of her friends. After the party, she was an outcast. I believe the author chose this title because Melinda didn't, and felt like she couldn't, speak up because she thought nobody would listen or believe her. On page 183 the author wrote, “Oh my God, I am so sorry, she writes. Why didn’t you tell me? I couldn’t tell anybody.” Melinda decided to cope with her pain and depression by speaking only when necessary. The book states on page 114, “Me: [inside my head] Would

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