LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON Laurie Halse Anderson By: Holly Takashima Charlene Deming Carolyn Coates

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Born in 1961 in Potsdam, NY Her middle name is pronounced “Halt-z,” like waltz, not “Hal-see” Learned to love writing in 2 nd grade after a haiku lesson Originally thought she wanted to be a doctor but her chemistry grades would not allow it She grew up being fascinated by foreign cultures When she was a senior in high school she ran away from home Received B.S.L.L in Language and Linguistics from Georgetown University Has four children from first and second marriages Her daughter, Stephanie, writes that this “extended, blended family is the greatest thing that has ever happened” to her mom Currently lives in NY

BECOMING A WRITER Got serious about writing in 1992 when her daughter was in school Published first book in 1996, Ndito Runs Wrote non-fiction as well Takes 2.5 years and 7 drafts to produce a book Influenced by her children, teenagers she meets, memories, newspaper articles, music, and her dreams Advice for aspiring writers: 1) read every thing you can get your hands on and find what you like 2) write, no excuses 3) be brave and not afraid to revise your work 4) be kind to your parents as the life of a writer often begins living out of their basement

Children’s Books Independent Dames - What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution - (2008) Thank You, Sarah! The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving (2005) The Big Cheese of Third Street (2005) No Time for Mother’s Day (2001) Turkey Pox (1996) Ndito Runs (1996) Series Vet Volunteers (formerly Wild at Heart): 1.Fight for Life7. Sunita Teacher’s Pet 2.Maggie Homeless8. Maggie Trapped 3.Sunita Trickster9. Brenna Fear of Falling 4.David Manatee Blues10. David Time to Fly 5.Brenna Say Good-Bye11. Masks 6.Zoe Storm Rescue12. End of Race

NOVELS: Wintergirls (2009; forthcoming) Chains (2008) Twisted (2007) Prom (2005) Catalyst (2002) Fever 1793 (2000) Speak (2000)

SPEAK “SPEAK is 10% my life in high school, 90% fiction. I have a lot of experience with depression- that definitely went in the book... Inspiration had a lot of threads - part was my own adolescent pain, part was my frustration with the world of high school, which seems uniquely tailored to damage children.” - Laurie Halse Anderson

Awards Twisted ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2008, ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults 2008, International Reading Association Top Ten of 2007, New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age, New York Times Bestseller List Prom ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2006 nominee, ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults 2006 nominee, International Reading Association Young Adults Choice, Junior Library Guild selection, New York Times Bestseller List Catalyst ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Top 10 Best Books for Young Adults, New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, YALSA Odyssey Audiobook Award Fever 1793 American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, International Reading Association Teacher's Choice, Parent Guide to Children Media Award, Jefferson Cup Honor Book (for historical fiction), Junior Library Guild Selection, Children Book-of-the-Month Club selection, The New York Public Library's 100 Best Books of Fall 2000, The New York Public Library "Best 2001 Books for the Teenage” Speak ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Top-10 Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults, Edgar Allan Poe Award finalist, IRA Young Adult Choice, Junior Library Guild Selection, Michael L. Printz Honor Book (American Library Association), National Book Award Finalist, New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, New York Times Bestseller List

CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS  Once Upon A World Children Book Award 200 (Given by the Simon Wiesenthal Center)  The Center for Children Books Best Books 2002  ALA Amelia Bloomer List  Junior Library Guild selection  Chapman Award for Shared Reading  International Reading Association Teachers Choice 2003

Resources General Information: Interview with Laurie Halse Anderson: Lesson Plans on Speak: cuip.uchicago.edu/schools/gearup/chicago/archive/yal/units/speak/unit.doc Discussion Guide for Twisted: Lesson Plans for Prom:

“Words to live by: When life sucks, read. They can't yell at you for that. And if they do, then you can ignore them.” – Laurie Halse Anderson “Words to live by: When life sucks, read. They can't yell at you for that. And if they do, then you can ignore them.” - Laurie Halse Anderson