Janelle writes: I am a student currently taking Children’s Literature course at a Community College in Maryland. I was wondering if you had a moment to answer a question regarding your book “Speak.” The question that was on most of our minds as we were discussing the book in class yesterday was this:
Do you think that Melinda’s life will get easier as she enters 10th grade and so on? I personally think that it would, and that eventually all of the nasty things such as rumors may eventually fade out. But our teacher suggested that we write you to and ask you what your thoughts on the matter would be.
Great question.
The rumors will always be there, and the ignorant people who whisper and say hurtful things will always be there. But by the end of the book, Melinda has changed. When she found the strength to speak up for herself, she grew.
Because she is a more confident young woman, the whispers and rumors won’t bother her nearly as much. And when you don’t let the whispers get to you, they tend to fade away on their own.
I suspect that by the time she graduates, Melinda will have gone from “The Weird Girl” to “The Artistic Girl Who Doesn’t Put Up With Stupid Stuff.” If you really want to know how her peers see her the year following SPEAK, pick up a copy of CATALYST and turn to page 76.
i remeber picking up CATALYST in the bookstore one time and just reading some of it. When I saw Kate mention Melinda I almost freaked out! I was happy to see that she was doing okay and I started to miss her again. I was upset Andy didn’t go to jail-but I’m sure he got some type of punishment. But I agree with you too, When you don’t let the rumors get to you, they do fade away on their own. My mom taught me about ignoring what people saw. Because what they say and think doesn’t matter. I’m glad though just by reading that part in CATALYST you you know that Melinda’s doing okay.
i remeber picking up CATALYST in the bookstore one time and just reading some of it. When I saw Kate mention Melinda I almost freaked out! I was happy to see that she was doing okay and I started to miss her again. I was upset Andy didn’t go to jail-but I’m sure he got some type of punishment. But I agree with you too, When you don’t let the rumors get to you, they do fade away on their own. My mom taught me about ignoring what people saw. Because what they say and think doesn’t matter. I’m glad though just by reading that part in CATALYST you you know that Melinda’s doing okay.
=)
I feel the same.
As much as I love Catalyst, that mention made me want more of Melinda’s story.
i remeber picking up CATALYST in the bookstore one time and just reading some of it. When I saw Kate mention Melinda I almost freaked out! I was happy to see that she was doing okay and I started to miss her again. I was upset Andy didn’t go to jail-but I’m sure he got some type of punishment. But I agree with you too, When you don’t let the rumors get to you, they do fade away on their own. My mom taught me about ignoring what people saw. Because what they say and think doesn’t matter. I’m glad though just by reading that part in CATALYST you you know that Melinda’s doing okay.
=)
I feel the same.
As much as I love Catalyst, that mention made me want more of Melinda’s story.
=)
I feel the same.
As much as I love Catalyst, that mention made me want more of Melinda’s story.
Not to sound speculative or overly-hopeful, but will Melinda pop up in any future works as some sort of Easter Egg for fans?
Not to sound speculative or overly-hopeful, but will Melinda pop up in any future works as some sort of Easter Egg for fans?
I’m not sure. “Never say never” is a good rule of thumb…. when she wants me to write about her again, she’ll show up in my head.
Not to sound speculative or overly-hopeful, but will Melinda pop up in any future works as some sort of Easter Egg for fans?
I cried when I read that part of Catalyst just because I was so happy to see Melinda again and to know that she was okay!
I cried when I read that part of Catalyst just because I was so happy to see Melinda again and to know that she was okay!
I cried when I read that part of Catalyst just because I was so happy to see Melinda again and to know that she was okay!
I’m not sure. “Never say never” is a good rule of thumb…. when she wants me to write about her again, she’ll show up in my head.
I’m not sure. “Never say never” is a good rule of thumb…. when she wants me to write about her again, she’ll show up in my head.
Funny coincidence, I’m taking a children’s literature course too and we’re currently studying Catalyst!
Anyway, I love that Melinda appeared briefly in Catalyst. I like it when authors do that. 😀
Funny coincidence, I’m taking a children’s literature course too and we’re currently studying Catalyst!
Anyway, I love that Melinda appeared briefly in Catalyst. I like it when authors do that. 😀
Funny coincidence, I’m taking a children’s literature course too and we’re currently studying Catalyst!
Anyway, I love that Melinda appeared briefly in Catalyst. I like it when authors do that. 😀
Oooooooh, must get CATALYST now!
Oooooooh, must get CATALYST now!
Oooooooh, must get CATALYST now!
you
are you really going to be at the eastern loundoun library on october 20th? my english class is going to see u!! i love ur book fever 1793
you
are you really going to be at the eastern loundoun library on october 20th? my english class is going to see u!! i love ur book fever 1793
Re: you
Yep – I’ll see you there!
you
are you really going to be at the eastern loundoun library on october 20th? my english class is going to see u!! i love ur book fever 1793
i guess i just hate class discussions because i’m afraid i might say the wrong thing. i don’t know. thanks for the encouragement about my ap classes. i just need to work harder i guess. sometimes in class i feel like melinda. i know that might not make sense because she’s a freshman and i’m a junior but sometimes i just don’t want to say anything. but i’m going to say a lot more. have i mentioned how much i <3 you? thanks for everything. well g2g because i need to get ready for school. -ash :)
i guess i just hate class discussions because i’m afraid i might say the wrong thing. i don’t know. thanks for the encouragement about my ap classes. i just need to work harder i guess. sometimes in class i feel like melinda. i know that might not make sense because she’s a freshman and i’m a junior but sometimes i just don’t want to say anything. but i’m going to say a lot more. have i mentioned how much i <3 you? thanks for everything. well g2g because i need to get ready for school. -ash :)
i guess i just hate class discussions because i’m afraid i might say the wrong thing. i don’t know. thanks for the encouragement about my ap classes. i just need to work harder i guess. sometimes in class i feel like melinda. i know that might not make sense because she’s a freshman and i’m a junior but sometimes i just don’t want to say anything. but i’m going to say a lot more. have i mentioned how much i <3 you? thanks for everything. well g2g because i need to get ready for school. -ash :)
Re: you
Yep – I’ll see you there!
Re: you
Yep – I’ll see you there!