| In the begining of the school year Melinda is now a high school freshman, along with her new friend Heather. Heather stuggles to fit in and make friends while Melinda seems to have no desire for either. Clearly, something is going on in Melinda's head. This thing, that's preventing her from being social, continues throughout the book and begins to manifest itself physically in the form of Melinda biting her lips until they bleed and other forms of self-mutilation. Little by little, we are clued in as to what happened to Melinda. She was at a party that previous summer and was raped by a strong, handsome athlete, who was older than her. Melinda was unable to speak, unable to say no and throughout the entirety of the book it's hard for her to speak around anyone. Melinda still does speak, though, occasionally. After the rape, she called the police and many kids at the party were arrested for under-age drinking. Everyone seems to know someone that was at that party, and everyone seems to know that it was Melinda who called the police, but no one knows why she did it. Everyone treats her terribly and will not talk to her, but she will not tell them why she called the police. Towards the end of the book, Melinda finally admits to herself and others that she was raped. Andy, the jock that raped her confronts her in her redecorated janitor's closet and hits her. He is mad that she told everyone what he did and now he wants revenge. Melinda is finally able to speak and screams "no!" and cuts him with glass. Outside the door to the closet is her friend Nicole and the entire girl's lacrosse team ready to save her. Finally everyone understands. Melinda goes from outcast to popular in a matter of a day. She goes to turn in her tree art project and receives an A+. Melinda is now able to speak out and tell her story. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - Time/era of story - 1980's-1999 Romance/Romance Problems Yes Kids growing up/acting up? Yes Kids: - Kind of sex: - rape Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Age group of kid(s) in story: - high school Taboo sex story? Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - a teen Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - a teen Profession/status: How sensitive is this character? Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 () United States Yes The US: - Northeast Writing Style Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - rape/molest Amount of dialog - little dialog |
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