Speak

Texts:
-Almost a Woman, by Esmeralda Santiago
-To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
-Lord of the Flies, by William Golding

Statement:
I have mixed feelings about the ending. I am glad that Melinda gets her friends back, that everyone at the school knows Andy is an ass, that she is able to express herself completely in a piece of art for Mr. Freeman, blah, blah, blah. That's great, and - as far as rape goes - that's the start of a happy ending. I also think it sends a positive/tell-people-about-your-rapist type of message to young girls. However, I don't think that is an accurate message for young people. Perhaps it is because of the stopping point of the story, but Anderson does not address the repercussions of admitting the truth. In our society, the likelihood is that even if Melinda presses charges she won't win, Andy will still be romping around Merryweather, and she won't feel better or safe instantly.

Questions:
If Laurie Halse Anderson wrote a sequel to Speak, how would she portray Melinda's recovery?