I don't say anything and I feel awful. I tell somebody and I feel worse. I'm having trouble finding a middle ground

I don't say anything and I feel awful. I tell somebody and I feel worse. I'm having trouble finding a middle ground

In Laurie Halse Anderson's novels, the theme of struggling to find a middle ground when it comes to speaking up about difficult situations is a common thread. Anderson's characters often grapple with the internal conflict of whether to stay silent and suffer in silence or to speak out and risk facing even more pain and judgment from others.

One of Anderson's most well-known novels, "Speak," follows the story of Melinda, a high school freshman who is ostracized by her peers after calling the police at a party. Melinda is traumatized by a traumatic event that occurred at the party, but she struggles to find the words to express what happened to her. As a result, she becomes withdrawn and isolated, unable to find a middle ground between staying silent and speaking up.

Similarly, in "Wintergirls," Anderson explores the struggles of Lia, a teenager battling an eating disorder. Lia's internal monologue is filled with self-doubt and self-hatred, making it difficult for her to open up to others about her struggles. She feels trapped between the fear of judgment and the desire for help, unable to find a middle ground that allows her to speak her truth without feeling even worse.