Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

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"The first ten lies they tell you in high school

1. We are here to help you.

2.You will have enough time to get to your class before the bell rings.

3. The dress code will be enforced.

4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.

5. Our football team will win the championship this year.

6. We expect more of you here.

7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.

8. Your schedule was created with your needs in mind.

9. Your locker combination is private.

10. These will be the years you look back on fondly. (Speak, pgs. 5-6)"

Mel's first day of high school is terrible. On her way to school, none of her old friends talk to her. All of the other students eye her like she is a freak. She wants to explain it to them all, but something stops her. She can't speak about it. Everytime she tries, her throat closes up and she chokes on her words.

After school she goes home, eats pizza, and runs upstairs to hide from her parents. They don't want to hear from her. They don't even want to see her. Things aren't looking good for her first year of high school.

Things get worse when IT keeps popping up in her life. He talks to her, tries to get her attention. Why is she being punished? Will she ever be able to tell her secret? Will she ever get her old life back?

Anderson created an awesome character that deals with extremely hard topics. One of the major themes is identity and finding your place in the world. It also deals with growth and communication. Laurie Halse Anderson pulled the most difficult struggles a teen faces and then explores them with sarcasm, wit and sincerity.

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