What is the theme of Speak and what is it about?

We shouldn't lose hope at the hardest time of our life.

This is because when Melinda was raped by Andy Evans she was depressed and loses hope. But she tries to go school and forget the incident happened with her. As, she doesn't have any friend to talk or share the problems. So, it was more difficult for her to deal with it alone. But she keeps on trying hard (any people you tries hard always succeed).

Finding one's voice.

Throughout the story, Melinda wonders whether she should speak, as well as show and what she says. Eventually, she gains the strength to speak about what happened