Speak Discussion Questions.

1. Analyze Melinda's reaction to the first day of high school and why her fears seem more intense than that of others. Analyze why she says, "I am outcast."
She says she is an outcast because of what had happened during the summer when she was at a party and she had called the cops and everyone still remembers it and hates her for it. She lost her friends and everyone doesnt like her for it. Even though she felt like she had to do it, people still treat her worst than others because of what had happened. That makes her feel an outcast because she has no one to go to or talk to after what had happened over the summer.

2. Examine the meanings of the "clans" and the prevalence of high school cliques. Why do we sometimes not like people who are really good things, like sports, music, art, or school? Is this fair? Are adults like this?
I think the meaning of clans and the prevalence of high school cliques is that there is a lot of groups of people who are all the same and dont really know what the people in other cliques are really all about. They only like to do things with their clique and are obviously afraid of a change or being with people who are into other things that they dont like. I dont think it is fair because alot of people dont give other people the chance to see how they are. Adults are not as much as the way, as kids our age is.

3. Discuss the "first ten lies they tell you in high school." Compare with your first day. So you think Melinda's assumption that they are "lies" are valid?
The ten lies that you are told first in highschool is actually true, i have been to different highschools but each school basically tells you the same thing and most of the time it is not true. The lies just seem to make you beileve it and feel safe but in the end it does not work.

4. Examine Melinda's characterization of the teachers. What do these descriptions reflect?
The descriptions of the teachers is that they are very boring and dull. Mr. Neck didnt like her and he made her sit in the front of the class because he said he had his eye on her. In lunch when she was trying to get out he made her mad because he was acting like he was out to get her.

5. Discuss Mr. Freeman's approach to teaching art. Have you had similar experiences in classes with his type of teaching style?
Yes i have, my art teacher at my old school had the same type of teaching style and it was for everyone like Melindas class.

6. Discuss Melinda's home life. How does communication breask down in Melinda's family? What could each person do to improve it? If you were a parent, how would communication be in your family?
The communication in her family is through writing notes on the fridge. They could inprove it by talking to eachother or sitting down at dinner together and having family time. If i were a parent communication would be a big thing to me and we would have to always talk.

7. Discuss the interaction between Melinda and Heather. Are they friends? What brings them together?
Melinda and Heather seem to be friends, but at first Melinda saw her in lunch because she was new and she sat with her. They may become friends further on in the book.
8. Are we sometimes different people on the outside than we are on the inside? How? Why is this true, do you think?
YES. alot of people are way different on the outside than they are on the inside. They put on a show to get people to like them or to just fit in and are loosing the real them.