A review by micasreads
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

5.0

 
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson 
Started: September 22. 2024 
Finished: September 22, 2024 
Format: Print 
Genre: Contemporary Fiction 
 
Melinda starts high school as an outcast because she called the police to a party - but no one bothered to ask why. As the unwanted at school and too afraid to tell her parents the truth, Melinda only speaks when necessary. When she finally comes to accept that she was raped, she finds her voice. 
 
I started this book with the sole purpose of reading a banned book, but what I found was a story many women, including myself, can relate to. Melinda's fear of naming her rapist, her IT, is very real and very common. Facing the fact that you have been raped is dealing with the fear, the shame, and the loss of control over the sadness and the anger. My heart raced for the last quarter of the book and I was so proud of Melinda when she finally told her truth and even more proud, when facing her rapist again, she spoke loud and clear - she made her anger known and took back control from her IT. 
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