Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Speak. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: Melinda Sordino, who stopped speaking after being raped by a senior named Andy Evans, fights back when he attacks her again in a storage closet. Classmates see what happened, the truth spreads, and Melinda finally starts to tell her story aloud.
Quick facts
– Book: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
– First published: 1999
– Type: A young adult novel
– Tone of the ending: Hopeful and powerful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Melinda starts high school as an outcast because she called the police at a party over the summer. No one knows that she was raped by Andy that night. She withdraws, barely speaks and spends time in an old janitor's closet. Her art teacher, Mr. Freeman, encourages her to express herself through a year-long project about trees.
What Happens at the End of Speak
Melinda learns that her former best friend, Rachel, is dating Andy and warns her in a note. Rachel breaks up with him. Andy confronts Melinda in the closet and tries to attack her again. She breaks a mirror and holds a shard to his throat, and other students arrive and see. Word spreads, and people begin to treat her differently. In art class, she finishes her tree, and when Mr. Freeman praises it, she begins to tell him what happened.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Melinda defends herself and is believed.
- Her art project reflects her healing.
- Speaking is the final step.
- Andy's reputation is exposed.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Melinda Sordino | Begins to speak |
| Andy Evans | Exposed as a rapist |
| Rachel Bruin | Breaks up with Andy |
| Mr. Freeman | Helps Melinda through art |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the power of speaking up after trauma. Melinda's voice returns when she is ready.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers wish there were legal consequences for Andy, while others say the novel focuses on Melinda's healing. The tree stands for her growth.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Trauma. Silence is Melinda's response to assault.
Healing. Art helps her recover.
Voice. The final words are about telling.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Speak as hopeful and powerful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Laurie Halse Anderson to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are hopeful and powerful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Laurie Halse Anderson closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2004 film with Kristen Stewart follows the novel's ending closely.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Speak with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about trauma, and do you agree with Laurie Halse Anderson's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as hopeful and powerful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces trauma and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Laurie Halse Anderson leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Speak often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Speak earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Speak on Amazon
Books to Read After Speak
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Related: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Speak You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Speak?
Melinda Sordino, who stopped speaking after being raped by a senior named Andy Evans, fights back when he attacks her again in a storage closet. Classmates see what happened, the truth spreads, and Melinda finally starts to tell her story aloud.
Is the ending of Speak happy or sad?
Most readers call it hopeful and powerful.
What does the ending of Speak mean?
The ending shows the power of speaking up after trauma.
Is the ending of Speak the same in the adaptation?
The 2004 film with Kristen Stewart follows the novel's ending closely.
Who wrote Speak and when was it published?
Speak was written by Laurie Halse Anderson and first published in 1999.
Is Speak worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Laurie Halse Anderson prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Speak before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.