Melinda Sordino
Melinda Sordino is the main character of the book "Speak". She is 15 years old and is beginning her freshman year at Merryweather High School. She also does poorly in school, and doesn't socialize very easily with other students. She is considered the mute of the school. Melinda called the police at a summer party because a boy she didn’t know raped her and there was drinking involved. Melinda was no longer popular in school because of her actions at the summer party and everyone saw her as a big loser. Andy yet again tries to rape Melinda at the prom . At this time, Melinda received the courage to finally scream. After what had happened that night everyone noticed how Melinda proved the kids at Merryweather High School wrong and made a point that not a lot of high schoolers would not have come across at that moment or age.
Heather Billing
Heather is also a 15 year old girl and just moved to Merryweather High School. She is a fun, ambitious, outgoing girl that loves making new friends and she also chooses to do the right thing. Heather met Melinda and thought of her as a good friend to hang out with. She and Melinda was good friend for a while and Heather accepts Melinda's actions at the party. Heather is also a down to earth girl and she doesn't let the other girls at her school phase her. She gives good advice and wants to be friends with everyone. Despite knowing what Melinda had done at the party, she still manages to see beyond Melinda's actions and be her friend. Then later in the book Heather ditches Melinda for the "Martha" group. She leaves Melinda feeling abandoned and alone. Finally, in the 4th marking period Heather comes crawling back for Melinda's help. Melinda didn’t want to help her because of the way she treated her. For the remainder of the school year they were no longer friends.
Ivy
Ivy is another friend of Melinda. After what Melinda did at the party, their friendship starts to fade; later they reconnect in an art class. Ivy is a very polite girl and was the only girl in Melinda's school that was kind and respectful of Melinda. Ivy try’s to connect with Melinda and comprehend what she is going through. Which is
similar to what Mr. Freeman, their art teacher, is trying to do as well. Ivy is a kind and caring person, she doesn’t "judge a book by its cover.". Ivy and Melinda remain friends for the rest of the school year at Merryweather High School.
similar to what Mr. Freeman, their art teacher, is trying to do as well. Ivy is a kind and caring person, she doesn’t "judge a book by its cover.". Ivy and Melinda remain friends for the rest of the school year at Merryweather High School.
Rachel Bruin
Rachel was one of Melinda's old friends. She shuns Melinda after what happened at the summer party. Rachel dates Andy during the second half of the school year. Not knowing that Andy had raped Melinda, her style and attitude started to change throughout the book. Rachel is the type of girl who you would want to be your friend but never a close friend. She will change her mind about you and tell people your darkest secrets. Later in the 4th marking period, Melinda tries to approach Rachel and tell her that Andy is a creep, but Rachel doesn't believe her. So she went to the prom with Andy. Rachel and Andy approached the prom together, she came to the conclusion and learned that Andy was a creep and Melinda was telling the truth the whole time. Later at the prom Rachel broke up with him and now lives a single life.
Andy Evans
Andy Evans is known as "Andy Beast” and “IT especially in Melinda's mind/thoughts. Andy raped Melinda at the summer party she attended. Andy was dating Rachel for a period of time in the 4th marking period. Until he lost her trust at the senior prom leading Rachel to brake up with him. Andy then blames Melinda for the mistakes he made. Also, Andy tries to rape Melinda again because of that. However, Melinda was able to scream leading everyone to know what Andy has been doing. Everyone accepted Melinda and changes their minds about Andy. For the remainder of the school year people looked down upon Andy.
David Petrakis
David is Melinda's academic-centered biology lab partner. He encourages her to stand
up for herself, which later in the book helps her self-esteem. He successfully manages to make a big impact on Melinda's life. David is a thin boy with a scrawny build. He has brown hair and would be ashamed of himself because he got a B on a test. His main action in the novel Speak is when he supports Melinda and tries to boost her self-esteem.
up for herself, which later in the book helps her self-esteem. He successfully manages to make a big impact on Melinda's life. David is a thin boy with a scrawny build. He has brown hair and would be ashamed of himself because he got a B on a test. His main action in the novel Speak is when he supports Melinda and tries to boost her self-esteem.
Mr.Freeman
Mr. Freeman is Melinda's Art Teacher. He is the only one who understands the pain that Melinda is feeling, which is demonstrated through Melinda's artwork. Melinda has been very frustrated with the assignment that she was stuck with for the remaining of the year. He also changes his mind about Melinda later in the book. Melinda was assigned to draw a tree that empress her emotions. Melinda is very erataded with her assignment and stays in Mr. Freeman’s classroom to finish her project. When Melinda was finished she had Mr. Freeman grade the project. Melinda got her project grade back and got an A+.