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

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

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

Exposition

Ris

ing

Act

ion

Climax

Falling A

ction

Denouement/Resolution

Dynamic or Static?

• Melinda Sordino• Andy Evans• Melinda Sordino • 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/>.