"The ninth graders are herded into the auditorium. We fall into clans: Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, Future Fascist of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Goths, Shredders. I am clanless. I wasted the last weeks of August watching bad cartoons. I didn't go to the mall, the lake, or the pool, or answer the phone. I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with."
Choice Book: Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
Melinda has just gone back to school, and everything is different from last year. All of her friends have stopped talking to her because she called the police during an end-of-the-year party. No one knows the reason for the phone call. The reader doesn't discover it immediately either. Instead we watch as Melinda struggles through her silent and practically friendless existence at school.
Noted Themes and Questions
This novel explores trauma, loneliness, identity, and voice. It also examines value of artistic expression in the healing process and perhaps in the formation of one's identity.
Reflection
Although the act of rape is central to the plot, the novel also looks at the ostracism that many teens experience. In this respect, I think that it has some universal messages. It is also very much a rape narrative. It isn't quite as gritty and graphic as some of the others I've read, including Push, The Lovely Bones, and Lucky. This isn't to say the novel is not upsetting. But i think it would be a more palatable read for younger students. I know that many teachers would rather avoid topics like rape, incest, depression, and suicide in the classroom, but I think Speak is an important text for boys and girls to read.
Student Reaction
I hate to generalize, but I'd guess that this novel would be more popular among female students. I think all students could benefit from reading it, however, especially boys. I read through some reader responses on the Internet and was somewhat surprised to read the negative reactions to Melinda's character. Of course there were twice as many comments in defense of Melinda and her plight.
Grade
8th-10th grade
Although the act of rape is central to the plot, the novel also looks at the ostracism that many teens experience. In this respect, I think that it has some universal messages. It is also very much a rape narrative. It isn't quite as gritty and graphic as some of the others I've read, including Push, The Lovely Bones, and Lucky. This isn't to say the novel is not upsetting. But i think it would be a more palatable read for younger students. I know that many teachers would rather avoid topics like rape, incest, depression, and suicide in the classroom, but I think Speak is an important text for boys and girls to read.
Student Reaction
I hate to generalize, but I'd guess that this novel would be more popular among female students. I think all students could benefit from reading it, however, especially boys. I read through some reader responses on the Internet and was somewhat surprised to read the negative reactions to Melinda's character. Of course there were twice as many comments in defense of Melinda and her plight.
Grade
8th-10th grade
No comments:
Post a Comment