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Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson Books

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Speak

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Wintergirls

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Chains

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Shout

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Twisted

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Fever 1793

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Prom

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Forge

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Catalyst

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Related Quotes

“Mr. Freeman: Art without emotion is like chocolate cake without sugar. It makes you gag...The next time you work on your trees, don't think about trees. Think about love, or hate, or joy, or rage -- whatever makes you feel something, makes your palms sweat or your toes curl. Focus on that feeling. When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time. You'd be shocked at how many adults are really dead inside -- walking through their days with no idea who they are, just waiting for a heart attack or cancer or a Mack truck to come along and finish the job. It's the saddest thing I know.”

DeathEmotionDepression
Book:Speak
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“If you kill yourself, then every minute of your life has been wasted.” “I don’t know how,” he said. “How to live anymore.” “When I got stuck or confused, you used to say, ‘We'll figure it out.’ I love you, Daddy. My mom did, too, and Gramma. I hate to admit it, but Trish does, your buddies do. With so many people loving you, I know we'll figure it out.”

SadnessEmotionalDeep
Book:The Impossible Knife of Memory
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“Sisters of the torn shirts. Sisters of the chase around the desk, casting couch, hotel room, file cabinet. Sisters dragging shattered dreams, bruised hopes, ambitions abandoned in the dirt. Sisters fishing one by one in the lake of shame. Hooks baited with fear always come back empty. Truth dawns slow when you've been beaten and lied to, but it burns hard and bright once it wakes. Sisters, drop everything. Walk away from the lake, leaning on each other's shoulders when you need the support. Feel the contractions of another truth ready to be born. Shame turned inside out is rage.”

TruthLiesShameRageAssaultSexual Violence
Book:Shout
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“THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL 1. We are here to help you. 2. You will have enough time to get to your class before the bell rings. 3. The dress code will be enforced. 4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds. 5. Our football team will win the championship this year. 6. We expect more of you here. 7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen. 8. Your schedule was created with your needs in mind. 9. Your locker combination is private. 10. These will be the years you look back on fondly.”

High School
Book:Speak
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“We are studying American history for the ninth time in nine years. Another review of map skills, one week of Native Americans, Christopher Columbus in time for Columbus Day, the Pilgrims in time for Thanksgiving. Every year they say we're going to get right up to the present, but we always get stuck in the Industrial Revolution. We got to World War 1 in seventh grade - who knew there had been a war with the whole world? We need more holidays to keep the social studies teachers on track.”

High School
Book:Speak
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“I'm hiding in the bathroom, waiting for the coast to clear. I peek out the door. Principal Principal spots another errant student in the hall. Principal Principal: "Where's your late pass, mister?" Errant Student: "I'm on my way to get one now." PP: "But you can't be in the hall without a pass." ES: "I know, I'm so upset. That's why I need to hurry, so I can get a pass." Principal Principal pauses with a look on his face like Daffy Duck's when Bugs is pulling a fast one. PP: "Well, hurry up, then, and get that pass." Errant Student races down the hall, waving and smiling. Principal Principal walks the other way, replaying the conversation in his mind, trying to figure out what went wrong. I ponder this and laugh.”

High School
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“A scream starts in my gut—I can feel the cut, smell the dirt, leaves in my hair. I don’t remember passing out. David says I hit my head on the edge of the table on my way down. The nurse calls my mom because I need stitches. The doctor stares into the back of my eyes with a bright light. Can she read the thoughts hidden there? If she can, what will she do? Call the cops? Send me to the nuthouse? Do I want her to? I just want to sleep. The whole point of not talking about it, of silencing the memory, is to make it go away. It won’t. I’ll need brain surgery to cut it out of my head.”

LifePainSpeakMemoriesDepressionTeensRapeFaintLiving With Pain
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