7 Laurie Halse Anderson
Background Born in Postdam, New York in Raised in a Methodist home; dad was a reverend and mom was a stay-at- home mom. Had an idyllic life until age 13 (see slide 13)
Education
Resume’
Personal Life
Writing Career
Ghostwriter 2000 Books for children
Books for children con’t In order as they appear
Young Adult Literature
Notable Quotes
Speak New York : Speak, 2006, c1999
BookTalk:
Reviews: Process: The novel came to Anderson in a dream, a nightmare, “born of terror.” Anderson was awakened one night to what she thought was one her daughter’s crying. After checking their rooms, the cries became louder and more insistent. It was only after sitting down at her computer, did the cries of the girl subside. Anderson may have also felt compelled to write Melinda’s story as an emotional parallel to her own high school experience and sexual assault at age 13 (see slide 2). “Melinda’s voice has the power to not only engage but affect those who connect.” It’s a raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience.” “Melinda’s hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.”
Book Quotes: IT happened. There is no avoiding it, no forgetting. No running away, or flying or burying, or hiding. Andy Evans raped me in August when I was drunk and too young to know what was happening. It wasn’t my fault. He hurt me. It wasn’t my fault. And I’m not going to let it kill me. I can grow. (Speak, 198). Anderson describes the moment this conclusion came to her. I saw the whole thing, smelled it, felt my heart thumping. I was scared. So was Mellie. And then, that voice. She claimed it, claimed herself as worthy and strong enough to fight back. She screamed the house down and saved herself, scarred, bloody, and alive. You can’t block pain. It’s like a river—block it one place and it floods somewhere else. Try and hide from your pain and it’ll hurt you in a different place. Teens have a choice in how they will deal with their pain: control it by dealing with it, or ignore it and be controlled by it. Speak up, someone will listen.
Related Media
Click on the Video below to play Laurie Halse Anderson Speak Poem “Listen” YouTube:
Speak The Movie trailer YouTube:
Notable Quotes
Fever New York : Aladdin Paperbacks, 2002, c2000
BookTalk:
Responses
Notable Quotes
Catalyst New York : Viking, 2002
BookTalk:
Responses
Notable Quotes
Prom New York : Speak, 2006, c2005
BookTalk:
Responses
Notable Quotes
Twisted New York : Speak, 2008, c2007
BookTalk:
Responses
Notable Quotes
Chains New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, c2008
BookTalk:
Responses
Notable Quotes
WinterGirls New York : Viking, 2009
BookTalk:
Responses
Connections
Other Writings
Greatest Gift
Bibliography