Laurie Halse Anderson is a
New York Times bestselling author whose writing spans young readers, teens, and new adults. Combined, her books have sold more than eight million copies. She has been twice nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Two of her books,
Speak and
Chains, were National Book Award finalists, and
Chains was short-listed for the prestigious Carnegie Medal. Laurie was selected by the American Library Association for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English.
In addition to combating censorship, Laurie regularly speaks about the need for diversity in publishing and is a member of RAINN’s National Leadership Council. She lives in Philadelphia, where she enjoys cheesesteaks while she writes. Find out more about Laurie by following her on Twitter at @halseanderson, Instagram at halseanderson, Facebook at writerlady, and Pinterest at halseanderson or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.
"Anderson’s prose is so gorgeous . . . that at times the book needs to be put down to absorb her utter mastery of language."—
Entertainment Weekly
★ "In this powerful memoir told in free verse, Anderson delves into her past. . .Her potent words and willingness to shout her message are proof of the soundness of that advice." —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "A captivating, powerful read about clawing your way out of trauma, reclaiming your body,and undoing lifetimes of lessons in order to use your voice as the weapon it is. Fervent and deafening." —
Booklist, starred review
★ "Readers new to Anderson will find this accessible. It's a strong example of how lived experience shapes art and an important book for the #MeToo movement." —
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “A praise song to survivors, a blistering rebuke to predators, and a testament to the healing power of shared stories.” —
The Horn Book,
starred reivew
★ "Will ring out to readers who themselves believe in the power of stories." —
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books,
starred review
★ "In searing free verse, Anderson unloads decades of trauma on these pages . . . Longtime Anderson fans will appreciate this deeply personal look into how the author channeled her pain into the writing of
Speak, and readers new to her work will be swept up in her singular style, which melds bold honesty with fluttering moments of lyrical beauty." —
Bookpage, starred review ★ "More than a gifted writer, Anderson is an advocate for anyone who feels alienated. Her sensitive, incisive book is essential for all young people." —
School Library Journal, starred review
★ "Immensely powerful." —
Shelf Awareness, starred review★ "Poetry is very often written to be heard, and this collection in particular ought to be heard—spoken proudly by Anderson, outloud, and at full volume." —
Booklist review of the audio edition,
starred review
"With
Speak, Anderson opened the door for more novels exploring the deeply felt and deeply personal aftermath of sexual violence.
SHOUT serves as both a testament to the life-altering, lifesaving impact of these types of stories — and as an urgent and brutal reminder of their ongoing necessity." —
The New York Times Book Review "A powerful testament that bears witness not just to [Anderson's] own pain, and the pain of others similarly abused, but also to the power of speaking persistently, time and time again, about topics that most people don't want to hear." --
The Los Angeles Review of Books
"An absolutely essential read for teenagers and the people who know them." --
Refinery29
