Dear Ms. Anderson,

Isolation is one of the worst emotions imaginable. Being social creatures, humans need social interaction to survive. They also need some sort of way to express feelings in a healthy manner. I learned this the hard way, after recurring periods of feeling empty inside and abusing myself.

I’ve always considered myself a bookworm. I love the company of a good book I can get engrossed in. This became even more true during my teenage years when I found myself experiencing hardships with both myself and with others. Books provided comfort and helped me feel like I wasn’t alone. Even though the characters were fictional, the effect many had on me was as real of an effect a living, breathing person could have on me.

I can whole-heartedly say this is true about your character Melinda Sordino in Speak. The day I found your book at the bookstore was like any other trip I’ve taken there. Or so I thought. Instead it turned out to be a significant, life-changing day.

I recognized your name as I had read Fever 1793 as an eighth grader. Curiously I reached for a copy of your book Speak. After reading an excerpt on the back I was immediately intrigued and wasted no time buying the book. Upon opening the book I expected a gripping story; What I didn’t expect was to have so many strong emotions as I read through the book. Happiness, contemplativeness, frustration, sorrow, anger, confusion, and relief, basically everything but boredom, struck me at some point on some page of the book. Most of all was my amazement at how alike Melinda and I are. The similarities, the strengths and weaknesses we shared were uncanny, I almost believed she was based on me.

As you have mentioned, Speak is not just a book about rape. It is also about depression, about isolation, about so many emotions teenagers experience today. As someone who has been plagued by depression for years, I understood how much of an outsider Melinda felt like. I know how hard it can be to ask someone for help. I felt as though no one will understand, and no matter how many people surrounded me, I felt like the loneliest person in the world.

Like Melinda, when my mood began spiraling downward, several of my friends were unaware of the sudden changes, and thus abandoned me. I felt as though I’d lost my voice since I couldn’t find the words to describe what raced through my mind. My only source of solace was art, whether it was writing poetry or pouring my heart into a drawing. I noticed how this was mirrored in Melinda’s growing love for art. I noticed the significant symbolism in the trees. I remember how in the beginning Melinda only draws the trees for her art grade. Gradually Melinda, as she comes to realize the traumatic rape wasn’t her fault, her trees become more full of life. This showed me how important passion is in anything you do. If you’re reluctant to do something, it will be visible in your product. The same can be said if you pour your heart into your work. Finding an outlet is so important because sometimes words just aren’t enough. Self-expression is essential to a human’s well-being in both body and soul. I also learned the importance of not blaming yourself for unfortunate events in life. Once I learned to not be so hard on myself and live with passion, everything became easier.

Ever since my completion of the book, Melinda lives in my mind, reminding me that sometimes you are your own worst enemy, the person that stands between your misery and your happiness. Reminding me the power the voice wields. Reminding me how difficult yet freeing talking about your feelings can be. Reminding me that healing is possible when enough effort is exerted. Thank you for such a memorable story.

Sincerely,

Nicole Ringland

Nicole Ringland
10th grade
Individual entry, Eagle River, Alaska