Speak

Speak

by

Laurie Halse Anderson

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Speak makes teaching easy.
Like Ivy and Rachel, Nicole used to be a part of Melinda’s friend group, the Plain Janes, in middle school. She is now a talented athlete, and her strength and confidence represent to Melinda everything that she herself is not. When Melinda almost beats Nicole at tennis, this is a major boost to her self-esteem. Nicole is cordial to Melinda—not as warm as Ivy, but not as cruel as Rachel. When Andy Evans attacks Melinda in the supply closet, it is Nicole and the girls’ lacrosse team who come to her aid.
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Nicole Character Timeline in Speak

The timeline below shows where the character Nicole appears in Speak. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 1: Welcome to Merryweather High
Communication versus Silence Theme Icon
Family and Friendship Theme Icon
Isolation, Loneliness, and Depression Theme Icon
Memory and Trauma Theme Icon
...old friends, with whom she used to be in a clique called the Plain Janes: Nicole the jock; Ivy the artist; and Rachel, Melinda’s former best friend (the fifth member of... (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 6: Home. Work.
Coming of Age Theme Icon
Appearance versus Reality Theme Icon
Family and Friendship Theme Icon
Isolation, Loneliness, and Depression Theme Icon
Memory and Trauma Theme Icon
...describes its rose decorations and pink walls, and recounts the different ways that Rachel, Ivy, Nicole, and Jessica decorated their rooms when they were in fifth grade. The only things that... (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 8: Fizz Ed
Family and Friendship Theme Icon
Memory and Trauma Theme Icon
...her gym clothes under her school clothes. She goes on to discuss her former friend Nicole, who is athletic and confident. Nicole, Melinda asserts, has a nice locker because she’s on... (full context)
Appearance versus Reality Theme Icon
Isolation, Loneliness, and Depression Theme Icon
...class plays field hockey on a muddy, cloudy day, an unenthusiastic Melinda continues to describe Nicole’s athletic skills, and good looks, the favoritism she receives from the coaches, and her friendliness.... (full context)
Part 4, Chapter 15: Fault!
Coming of Age Theme Icon
Family and Friendship Theme Icon
Isolation, Loneliness, and Depression Theme Icon
Memory and Trauma Theme Icon
...gym class has moved on to a tennis unit, and Ms. Connors pairs Melinda against Nicole to do a demonstration for the class because she used to take lessons at her... (full context)
Part 4, Chapter 23: Prowling
Appearance versus Reality Theme Icon
Family and Friendship Theme Icon
Isolation, Loneliness, and Depression Theme Icon
After napping, Melinda takes the bike out at night, riding by Heather, Nicole, and Rachel’s houses. It is prom night, and she imagines Rachel’s parents waiting up for... (full context)
Part 4, Chapter 25: Prey
Coming of Age Theme Icon
Communication versus Silence Theme Icon
Family and Friendship Theme Icon
Isolation, Loneliness, and Depression Theme Icon
...on the door; Melinda opens it to reveal the entire girls’ lacrosse team, led by Nicole. One of them runs to get help. (full context)