Laurie Halse Anderson Biography

There are very few books that cover the topic of depression that are hysterical while triggering my hypothalamus emotion center. Her self-awareness is what really drew me into her writing. One of the most profound moments was when she spoke about the silent war that those suffering from mental illness face on a daily basis and the silent victory that no one knows about. The hidden nature of mental illness is what creates a barrier. You cannot judge from mere appearance how loud and loaded their brains truly

In all of the four interviews that are with Judith Ortiz Cofer, I thought there were some important things or I feel that I can relate to what she stated. In the interview “Speaking in Puerto Rican” reported by Rafael Ocasio, Cofer was told that her grandmother was one of her influences in her life. Cofer agreed with Ocasio and she went into saying that she would sit by her grandmother while her grandmother told her stories. I can relate somewhat to it because I didn’t sit around my grandmother while she told me stories, but my grandmother influenced me to succeed in something that I love to do. In the interview “The Art of Not Forgetting” reported by Marilyn Kallet, Cofer was asked why is “not forgetting” so important to you as a writer? Cofer

In the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, the message the author is trying to portray is that speaking and conveying your emotions is vital to expressing feelings.Talking to someone releases a sense of relief for now somebody else knows and that specific information is not as powerful to only the protagonist. Opening up to someone releases how the protagonist feels, which is vital because then that someone will help Melinda get past the event that occurred. If Melinda doesn’t speak up and convey her emotions to someone about the event that occurred, people will start treating her poorly.In the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, the message the author is trying to portray is that speaking and conveying your emotions is vital to expressing

To teach young children that being yourself is the best way to live, taking chances, being respectful and opening up always goes a long way. I feel she wants to show us that reading and writing are great separate but together it shows within. Words are taught to people from books, so if no one reads new words how will the next person learn the meaning.

Knowing this, she takes her experience and uses it to write this piece and uses it to spread her message and her feelings toward the topic.

She uses unique words and phrases, metaphors and descriptions, and witty but informative tone. She opens the readers’ minds up to what the world we are living in is becoming. It is everyone for themselves, therefore every individual should become educated on every subject that they can handle. There is no possible way someone should overeducate themselves; it is just an impossibility. Imagine what life would be like if eventually everyone only knew about what their degree was in. There would not be many conversations, no improvement in the quality of life, a shorter survival rate, etc. The worst feeling in the world is feeling useless or worthless which could happen if you do not expand your knowledge. Go out in the world and learn what can be learned by observing, reading, studying, listening, asking, tasting, touching, smelling, or anything that helps you learn. The world needs more intelligence in every area. It is time that we take a stand and educate ourselves and others as much as we possibly

Besides wording like this, her writing is easy to read even for someone who has little to no background knowledge of what she talks about.

Everyone grows physically. A person can be 4’ll”, and a couple years later they are 5’3”, Physical change is not a big deal. When someone grows as a person or emotionally it can go both ways, You either emotionally grow in a negative or positive way. The person can either become a better person, or grow with more flaws and bad habits. Speak was written by Laurie Halse Anderson, published on October 22, 1999. The story shows the character development of the main character, Melinda Sordino. Although teenagers go through emotional growth because their maturity levels are increasing, Melinda goes through a rough situation that helps her grow as a person.

Melinda was an outcast and loner in high school who was overwhelmed, fearful, and confused with her life and her environment at school. She was always silent in class and afraid to speak in front of people. Many students today might feel the need to fit in with other people so they wouldn’t have to be looked down upon. As we take a look at Melinda’s life we’ll be able to see how she handles her daily conflicts. In the book, Speak, Melinda Sordino, an incoming freshman at Merryweather High, starts her year off with a terrible start. She’s stuck with a mean history teacher, by who she calls Mr. Neck and a whole bunch of other weird teachers like her English teacher of who she calls, Hairwomen, because of her crazy, uncombed

Laurie Halse Anderson, was born and was raised through many struggles that has built and strengthened her to the lady she is today. As a little child, she suffered from a speech impediment, an obstacle that took her a while to overcome. “When I was growing up, nobody thought I was going to become a writer. Especially if you talk to those early teachers. I struggled a bit to learn how to read. I had to go out for extra reading support and speech therapy, too, because I had a speech impediment when I was a little kid. When I did crack the reading code, I became that kid who was always in the library.” (Reading Rockets 1)

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a book about high school. The “best years of your life.” Unfortunately, Melinda Sordino experienced high school differently. Beginning the year with no friends, because she called the cops during a summer party, because she got raped. Speak by Anderson was a good read, but it wasn’t a good book. There was multiple things you could have done to make this a better book.

Meet Melinda Sordino, a 14 year old girl and the narrator of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Melinda is a freshman at Merryweather High, where she mainly feels like an outcast. Due to a recent traumatic event, in which Melinda was raped by a highschool senior, she refuses to speak. The young teenager is however extremely loyal. When Melinda sees her ex-best friend in a relationship with her rapist, she is determined to warn her and protect her. She is also extremely strong. Even though Melinda was raped, she sees herself as a survivor more than a victim towards the end. “He hurt me. it wasn’t my fault. And I’m not going to let it kill me. I can grow.” Anderson 198

books for all ages. she is known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity,

Maya Angelou has inspired me in more ways than one, and I had to write about her. When Maya speaks people listen. She has this wisdom that only few have, especially when life wasn’t always great. She turned tragedy into triumph, and helped others in doing so. So, Maya has proven too many women, especially black women that you succeed, even if you have had a child in your teen years. She’s proof that with determination nothing is unattainable.