Analysis of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak
Taylor Cummins
R.S. Huttman
Honors English IV
20 December 2011
Finding a Voice Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak, is no stranger to the world of censorship and book banning. Born on October 23, 1961 in northern New York, Anderson was in the literary world from the beginning (“Speak- Anderson”). She received a Bachelor’s degree in Languages and Linguistics in 1984 after transferring to Georgetown University (“Speak- Anderson”). “[Anderson] began her career as an author of three picture books: No time for Mother’s Day (1998), Turkey Pox (1996), and Ndito Runs (1996)” (“Speak- Anderson”). Don Latham summarizes Anderson’s Speak as “the story of teenager Melinda Sordino’s rape, recovery, and eventual coming out as a rape victim” (Latham). Speak is a novel that is geared towards young adults who could possibly relate to Melinda and her story; however, the novel has faced countless criticisms for its crudity and inappropriateness. Despite critics, Anderson’s Speak immediately received astonishing recognition. “[The novel] has been nominated for the 1999 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, [the] Printz Honor, and Top Ten First Novels of 1999, and many more” (“Speak- Anderson”). Regardless of accomplishments, Anderson is continuously questioned about the content of her novel. In response, Anderson says: I’ve dealt with depression my entire life...which makes me the perfect author for teenage readers...So I spent a long time not looking and not speaking about things that really hurt me...everything about my writing of Speak had to do with me watching [my daughter] and not wanting her to go through what I went through (Andersen).
Anderson subtly uses anecdotes and life lessons she has learned herself while growing up to translate over to her writing. In Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson addresses disturbing and sensitive issues, giving it reason to be banned; however, the impact it has on the literary world, as well as the world of teenagers,
R.S. Huttman
Honors English IV
20 December 2011
Finding a Voice Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak, is no stranger to the world of censorship and book banning. Born on October 23, 1961 in northern New York, Anderson was in the literary world from the beginning (“Speak- Anderson”). She received a Bachelor’s degree in Languages and Linguistics in 1984 after transferring to Georgetown University (“Speak- Anderson”). “[Anderson] began her career as an author of three picture books: No time for Mother’s Day (1998), Turkey Pox (1996), and Ndito Runs (1996)” (“Speak- Anderson”). Don Latham summarizes Anderson’s Speak as “the story of teenager Melinda Sordino’s rape, recovery, and eventual coming out as a rape victim” (Latham). Speak is a novel that is geared towards young adults who could possibly relate to Melinda and her story; however, the novel has faced countless criticisms for its crudity and inappropriateness. Despite critics, Anderson’s Speak immediately received astonishing recognition. “[The novel] has been nominated for the 1999 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, [the] Printz Honor, and Top Ten First Novels of 1999, and many more” (“Speak- Anderson”). Regardless of accomplishments, Anderson is continuously questioned about the content of her novel. In response, Anderson says: I’ve dealt with depression my entire life...which makes me the perfect author for teenage readers...So I spent a long time not looking and not speaking about things that really hurt me...everything about my writing of Speak had to do with me watching [my daughter] and not wanting her to go through what I went through (Andersen).
Anderson subtly uses anecdotes and life lessons she has learned herself while growing up to translate over to her writing. In Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson addresses disturbing and sensitive issues, giving it reason to be banned; however, the impact it has on the literary world, as well as the world of teenagers,
Cited: Andersen, Peta J. "Speak Loudly: A Conversation with Laurie Halse Anderson on Topics Subject to Book Banning." PopMatters. PopMatters Media, Inc., 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. . Anderson, Laurie H. "Challenges to Speak." Laurie Halse Anderson. WordPress. n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. . Anderson, Laurie H. Speak. New York: Puffin Books, 1999. Print. Debbie. “Dear Laurie Halse Anderson.” Dear Author: Letters of Hope. Ed. Joan F. Kaywell. New York: Philomel Books, 2007. 1-7. Print. Gottfried, Ted. Censorship. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2006. 102-6. Print. Latham, Don. "Melinda 's Closet: Trauma and the Queer Subtext of Laurie Halse Anderson 's Speak." Children 's Literature Association Quarterly. 2006. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. . "Speak Analysis." Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc. 2011. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. . "Speak- Laurie Halse Anderson." Department of English. Arizona State University. 2010. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. . Staino, Rocco. "Anderson 's Speak Under Attack, Again." School Library Journal. 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. .