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Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1999

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Introduction

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After Reading

Introduction

Teacher Introduction

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Genre: Fiction; young adult contemporary
Originally Published: 1999
Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 690L; grades 8-12
Structure/Length: Approximately 224 pages; approximately 5 hours and 48 minutes on audio
Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist, Melinda Sordino, starts her freshman year at Merryweather High as an outcast after calling the police at a summer party. Throughout the novel, Melinda grapples with the trauma of her rape and the isolation it brings, struggling to find her voice and speak out about her experience.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Sexual assault; depression; bullying; themes of trauma and recovery

Laurie Halse Anderson, Author

Bio: Born in 1961; an American writer known for her children’s and young adult novels; Broaches tough subjects with sensitivity and realism, earning her critical acclaim and a place as a voice for young readers facing difficult issues
Other Works: Fever 1793 (2000); Chains (Seeds of America, Book 1) (2008); Wintergirls (2009); Shout (2019), a memoir and call to action against sexual violence
Awards: Golden Kite Award for Fiction (2000)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

Finding One’s Voice after It Has Been Lost
The Importance of Art as a Form of Self-Expression
How Personality and Perception Change as a Result of Trauma

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

Deepen understanding of the methods for and benefits of discussing controversial topics in school to help students prepare to discuss the novel.
Study paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Finding One’s Voice, Art, and Trauma.
Discuss and analyze textual elements such as structure, characterization, and style and construct essay responses tying these elements to the novel’s themes based on textual details.
Create art that expresses the protagonist’s character development using symbols from within the book and analyze artistic choices in a formal artist’s statement.