Melinda Sordino Melinda Sordino is the main character in Laurie Halse Anderson’s award-winning book, Speak. Speak is about a young teenager who experienced a great trauma. Melinda Sordino was raped at a high school party before the start of her freshman year. She struggles with letting her secret be known. Melinda is very independent, lonely, and depressed. Before her traumatic event, Melinda was indepent, now, after the event, she is even more so. Both of Melinda’s parents work full time jobs and are away from home most of the time. Their only communication most days is through notes left on their kitchen counter. Melinda doesn’t typically rely on her parents for much. If she needs something, she simply writes it down on the note for her