Melinda is a high school student who calls the police after being raped and busts up an end-of-summer party. All of the the other students begin to harass and ostracize Melinda because they do not know her reasoning for calling the police. Throughout the novel, she is withdrawn and completely silent with only her artwork as an outlet for her emotions. Meanwhile, the students continue to treat her poorly.
In the end, the truth is revealed when Andy attempts to rape Melinda again in the abandoned janitor's closet. Once enlightened with the truth, the other students' feeling transform from scorn to heroism. I think this is a great book for ages 13 and up due to the mature content involving the rape. The strong theme of finding your voice and speaking against violence and victimization could lead to a very powerful teaching lesson for high school students. Although I knew she was emotionally suffering, I found myself encouraging her to speak up and tell everyone what happened especially when her best friend treated her poorly. This book is characterized as good book because of the author's writing style. This narrative in diary format often flashes back in a jumpy manner which symbolizes and emphasizes the trauma the main character experienced.
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