1. Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Setting
Syracuse, New York
Late 1990’s

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

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

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

12. Plot Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition
Denouement/Resolution

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

14. Works Cited
"Depression-Related Mood Disorders." Depression.com Jul 2008 <
Theo Black and Laurie Halse Anderson, "Biography." Laurie Halse Anderson Jul 2008 <