Laurie Halse Anderson - Speak Poem

Over the past ten years, Laurie has received thousands and thousands of emails and letters from readers about how Speak has given them the courage to speak up. The first stanza of the poem and the last are Lauries words. Everything in the middle, all of the stanzas that start with the word YOU are words and phrases from letters that were sent to the author.

Laurie Halse Anderson (www.writerlady.com) is the author of the genre defining YA novel Speak. Speak was a National Book Award Finalist, a Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book for excellence in young adult literature, and was named a best book of the year by Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal and Horn Book.

Speak Up About Speak at http://speakupaboutspeak.blogspot.com

• Category

  Entertainment

[elissa412]

Me. Weeping. When I heard you read this.  Thank you, Laurie!

[poodle649]

Wow. Just wow. I love how much this book has meant to people. Stories like this need to be told. This is the proof.

[Mishasta69]

Speak is my favourite book. I've read it about 20 times and it always make me feel the same sadness and anxiety.

[allen wilbert]

every one please come check out my poems and page

[silverwhitew]

Something about this really hits home for me. Her writing and her voice just really make a huge impact. I love you Laurie!!

[supertyphoonmelissa]

Cont.: Laurie, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you for writing this book, this poem. Both were doubtless extremely difficult to write, but all of it needed to be said. Thank you for speaking. And thank you for listening. --Mel

[supertyphoonmelissa]

This book changed my life. I read it over and over and over again my sophomore year of high school, coincidentally while I was dealing with a stalker who had graduated from my semi-brand-new high school. I identified with Speak on so many levels--the sense of violation, the pain of familial dysfunction, the feeling of being an outcast, since I am a person with a disability. Eventually, though, I found my voice, a facet of which manifested in poetry, in writing.

[Mdeffes2290]

I love your book Speak, it made ppl listen, it made ppl Speak! Your book helped ppl it helped ME! I love to write poems I never use to read much but when i red your book Speak and herd your poem, I couldn't stop listening to it, it helped so much. It made me want to wirte more like YOU! You made ppl relize, cry, Speak, listen, understand and open up, all in ONE book. Now i'm reading wintergirls, and I can't wait to read another one of your books!

[Zumirocks1]

I love this book!

[leforest fox]

I read speak for a book report in reading seminar. Amazing book! i have the stop motion of the making of the poster on my channel. I including quotes from the book. Let me know what you think. Thanks <3

[Anthony Chau]

One of the few poems that has truly moved me. Thank you LHA