A girl who called the cops on a party — and couldn't say why.
Who drives the story
Ninth-grade outcast who called the cops at a party nobody knows was a rape scene. She goes nearly mute, hides in a janitor's closet, and claws her way back to speech through art, graffiti, and finally a scream.
The handsome senior Melinda calls "IT" who raped her at the party and dates her ex-best friend. He attacks Melinda a second time in her closet and is caught when she fights back.
The chatty new girl from Ohio who uses Melinda as a social stepping stone, then dumps her to chase the Marthas. Her note-and-bracelet breakup is a betrayal Melinda oddly feels relief over.
Melinda's ex-best friend who mouths "I hate you" and dates the boy who attacked her. When Melinda finally tells her the truth in the library, she believes it, dumps Andy at the prom, and apologizes.
The art teacher who assigns the year-long tree project and is the only adult who sees Melinda's pain. He tells her to put feeling into her work — and waits a year for her to tell him about it.
A mother working long hours at Effert's and a former basketball star selling insurance, who communicate through kitchen-counter notes. They fight, threaten her over grades, and never once ask what's wrong.
Also in the story
Melinda's lab partner who stands up to Mr. Neck with a camera and constitutional rights. He tells her to speak up for herself and becomes her model for using a voice.
How they are connected
The handsome senior Melinda calls "IT" who raped her at the party and dates her ex-best friend.
The chatty new girl from Ohio who uses Melinda as a social stepping stone, then dumps her to chase the Marthas.
Melinda's ex-best friend who mouths "I hate you" and dates the boy who attacked her.
Melinda's ex-best friend who mouths "I hate you" and dates the boy who attacked her.
When Melinda finally tells her the truth in the library, she believes it, dumps Andy at the prom, and apologizes.
The art teacher who assigns the year-long tree project and is the only adult who sees Melinda's pain.
The art teacher who assigns the year-long tree project and is the only adult who sees Melinda's pain.
Melinda's lab partner who stands up to Mr.
David PetrakisMelinda's parents
Melinda's lab partner who stands up to Mr.
Go deeper
Silence and voice · Blaming the victim · Adulthood as failure of attention · Blaming the victim
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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