The five words I chose to describe Melinda are helpless, hopeless, unhappy, lonely, and miserable. Helpless fits her description because she does not have anyone to turn to. She can’t talk to anyone about her issues because she is afraid to open up. Melinda is hopeless because she doesn’t have anything left for her. She basically gave up. Melinda is unhappy because she lost all of her friends. She is also unhappy because she is blamed for calling the police at a party over the summer. Melinda is lonely because she does not have many friends. She doesn’t talk to her parents about anything they mainly communicate through notes. Melinda is miserable because again she is lonely and miserable. She also is failing most classes and has a very low GPA.

       I find the best word to describe Melinda is miserable. This is because she doesn’t have friends. She lacks communication with her family and teachers. She gets in trouble a lot. She escapes to the janitors closet to take a break from the world. And lastly she is afraid to open up to anyone.

       Examples from the book are: “… This is the death voice, the voice that means business…” “…You mean we are not friends anymore?” “… You can’t eat lunch with me anymore…” “…Evil kids pointing at me…”

       These are all good examples of why I think Melinda is miserable. I think she will open up to someone soon in the story because she is desperately in need of help. I think she needs to talk to somebody.