Speak is about a freshman girl named Melinda, and her struggle through her first year of highschool. A recent event at a party left her emotionally scarred. She has become a social outcast, and had no one there for her. She has to deal with her unsupportive parents, who are emotionally distant with her. It was her compassionate art teacher and her meaningful artwork that helped her speak. This book has always been one of my favorites, and I highly reccomend reading it. Anderson is a great writer, and makes you feel as if you were walking in Melinda's shoes.