Speak Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson Born October 23, 1961 in Potsdam, New York Laurie Beth Halse Wanted to be a Doctor Exchange Student to Denmark for Senior Year Onondaga Community College for 2 Years Exchange student – lived on pig farm. Community College – worked on a dairy farm.

Laurie Halse Anderson Graduated from Georgetown University in 1984 with a B.S.L.L. in Languages and Linguistics Married Greg Anderson Had 2 Daughters – Meredith and Stephanie Worked as Freelance Reporter Wrote as a Hobby 1996 First Book, Ndito Runs, Published Later 1996 Turkey Pox Published Useless degree – no job. Wrote several books that were rejected.

Laurie Halse Anderson 1998 No Time For Mother’s Day Published 1999 Speak Published Speak Won Numerous Awards -National Book Award Finalist -Printz Honor book -Booklist “Top10 First Novels of 1999” 2000 Fever 1793 Published 2001 The Big Cheese on Third Street Published 2002 Catalyst and Thank You, Sarah! Published 2005 Prom Published New husband, Scot Larrabee 2007 Twisted Published

Catalyst Set in the Same High School as Speak Features a Few Cameo Appearances from Speak’s characters

Rape “Rape is forced, unwanted sexual intercourse. Rape, sometimes also called sexual assault, can happen to both men and women of any age." Teens Help

Depression constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much restlessness or feeling slowed down decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt thoughts of suicide or death

Setting Syracuse, New York Late 1990’s

Characters Melinda Sordino Andy Evans Rachel Bruin Mr. Neck Heather Ivy Mr. Freeman Mrs. Sordino Mr. Sordino Nicole David Petrakis

Conflict Internal Dealing with Rape Dealing with Depression External Harassment by Andy Evans Isolation from Entire Student Body Dealing with Parents

Themes Rape Peer Pressure Sexual Harrassment Depression High School Cliques Social Alienation Bullying Dysfunctional Family

Plot Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Denouement/Resolution

Dynamic or Static? Melinda Sordino Andy Evans Rachel Bruin Mr. Neck Heather Ivy Mr. Freeman Mrs. Sordino Mr. Sordino Nicole David Petrakis Andy Evans

Works Cited "Depression-Related Mood Disorders." Depression.com 1997-2008 23 Jul 2008 <http://www.depression.com/types_of_depression.html>. Theo Black and Laurie Halse Anderson, "Biography." Laurie Halse Anderson. 2002. 14 Jul 2008 <http://writerlady.com/>.