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Because Melinda's 9th grade year really parallels Maya Angelou's childhood.

Maya Angelou, like Melinda in the story, was also raped as a young girl. After Melinda told of the rape (a friend of her father's) he was beaten to death....and because of this Maya became afraid to speak. She remained a mute for five years, till a teacher of hers got her to start talking again by introducing her to literature, and begin writing.

Just like Melinda was raped, became a mute, and was brought out of her shell by her art teacher.

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16y ago

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