So... I met Laurie Halse Anderson, author of SPEAK.
Last Tuesday, I met one of my heroes, Laurie Halse Anderson. I'm still sort of in shock. She is amazing.
A-freaking-mazing.
I brought my old, trusty copy of Speak (I have two copies: a very old one, and the 10th anniversary edition), Wintergirls (still haven't read it), and Chains for my sister.
Other people let me go in front of them in line because they said I just looked so excited.
When I got to her, I asked if I could tell her what Speak means to me, and she said yes.
I told her about how I read it when I was 12, how it was my first real awareness of sexual violence. I told her that I was sexually assaulted when I was 15, and that Speak taught me that it's important to speak up, and how damaging silence is, and that thanks to Speak, I told my mom immediately.
Then she got up and gave me a big, tight, long hug. Yes, Laurie Halse Anderson gave me a hug. Then she kissed me on the forehead. I'm not kidding.
She is so nice.
She signed my books. In Speak, she wrote (let's see if I can remember, I don't have it with me at the moment) "I am so proud of you for having the courage to speak up! Your sister, Laurie Halse Anderson"
My dad took pictures. I'll post them later. She wants me to write to her on her blog.
Brb, still flying with utter joy.
A-freaking-mazing.
I brought my old, trusty copy of Speak (I have two copies: a very old one, and the 10th anniversary edition), Wintergirls (still haven't read it), and Chains for my sister.
Other people let me go in front of them in line because they said I just looked so excited.
When I got to her, I asked if I could tell her what Speak means to me, and she said yes.
I told her about how I read it when I was 12, how it was my first real awareness of sexual violence. I told her that I was sexually assaulted when I was 15, and that Speak taught me that it's important to speak up, and how damaging silence is, and that thanks to Speak, I told my mom immediately.
Then she got up and gave me a big, tight, long hug. Yes, Laurie Halse Anderson gave me a hug. Then she kissed me on the forehead. I'm not kidding.
She is so nice.
She signed my books. In Speak, she wrote (let's see if I can remember, I don't have it with me at the moment) "I am so proud of you for having the courage to speak up! Your sister, Laurie Halse Anderson"
My dad took pictures. I'll post them later. She wants me to write to her on her blog.
Brb, still flying with utter joy.