Impossible Knife of Memory (Anderson) - Author Bio

Author Bio
• Birth—October 23, 1961
• Where—Pottsdam, New York, USA
• Education—Asoc.A., Onondaga Community College' B.A.,
   Georgetown University
• Awards—Margaret Edwards Award
• Currently—lives in northern New York State


Laurie Halse Anderson is an American writer best known for children's and young-adult novels. She received the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 2009 for her contribution to young adult literature.

First recognized for her novel Speak (1999), Anderson gained recognition for her artistic dealings with tough topics embedded with honesty. Anderson’s ability to creatively address often avoided issues allows her to be a safe outlet for young readers. The tough themes of her novels including rape, family dysfunctions, body issues and disorders, and high academic pressures often create controversial discussions surrounding her novels.

Background
Laurie Beth Halse was born to Ronald Frank and Ingrid Halse in Northern New York State in Potsdam. She and younger sister Lisa grew up there, near the Canadian border. As a student she showed early interest in writing, specifically during the second grade. Anderson loved reading, especially science fiction and fantasy as a teenager, yet she never envisioned herself becoming a writer. Despite struggling with math, she thought she would eventually pursue the occupation of a doctor.

During Anderson’s senior year, at the age of sixteen, she moved out of her parent’s house and lived as an exchange student for thirteen months on a pig farm in Denmark. After her experience in Denmark, Anderson moved back home to begin working at a clothing store, making minimum wage. This pushed Laurie to decide to attend college.[4]

While attending Onondaga Community College, Laurie worked on dairy farm, milking cows. After graduating, two years later, with her associates, she transferred to Georgetown University in 1981 and graduated in 1984 with her Bachelor’s degree in Languages and Linguistics.

Early career
Anderson was a freelance journalist for The Philadelphia Inquirer in the early years of her career. She also began writing children and young adult novels. Despite receiving stacks of rejection letters, she persevered and, in 1996, had her first children’s novel published: Ndito Runs, based on Kenyan Olympic marathon runners who ran to and from school each day. In 1998, she published No Time For Mother’s Day, featuring the same characters from an earlier short story, "Turkey Pox."

Anderson also wrote a few pieces of non-fiction early on—a child's book on Saudi Arabia based on her experience working with that country's embassy; and a book about parenting shy children, co-authored with Dr. Ward Swallow.

Young adult novels
In 1999, she published what is arguably her most famous novel, Speak, which became a New York Times best seller and won Anderson numerous awards. It was also a finalist for the National Book Awards. The book was adapted into film in 2004, starring Kristen Stewart, and portrays the book's thirteen-year-old heroine, who becomes mute after a sexual assault.

Other novels followed in rapid succession, all to wide acclaim: Fever, 1793 (2000), Catalyst (2002); Prom (2005), Twisted (2007), Wintergirls (2009).

Historical fiction
In 2000, Anderson's Fever, 1793, set in Philadelphia during the Yellow Fever epidemic, was adapted to state in 2004 at the Gifford Family Theatre in Syracuse, New York. Thank You, Sarah! The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving, a historical fiction picture book came out in 2002.

In 2008 Anderson issued Chains, about a teenage Revolutionary War-era slave—and the first in her planned "Seeds of America Trilogy." Chains was awarded the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. The completed trilogy consists of Forge (2010) and Ashes (2014).

Writing
Anderson’s commitment to writing powerful, controversial and intensely serious content within her novels have led her on a journey, acting as a voice for many young readers. “I get amazing letters from readers who tell me that one of my books helped them get through a tough time, and I know this is what I am meant to do.”

Anderson uses her own experience which often intertwines itself into the life of her characters. Because of this blurred line, Anderson often feels the empathy, emotion, and feelings of what her characters experience. With the intensity of encompassing herself in often dark places, Anderson states, “I survive the process of emotional immersion by remembering the kids who write to me, reminding myself how much more difficult it is for the teen readers who are struggling with these issues in real life. At least I have the option of walking away from a story. They do not.”

Personal
Laurie Halse Anderson married Greg Anderson, and in 1985, they had their first child, Stephanie Holcomb. Two years later, they had their second child, Meredith Lauren. The couple later divorced.

Years later, after Anderson had moved away then returned to New York state, she rekindled feelings for a childhood sweetheart, Scot Larrabee. Anderson eventually married, and is still married to Larrabee. Together, they combined their families—Anderson’s two daughters and Larrabee’s two children, Jessica and Christian. (Adapted from Wikipedia. Retrieved 1/23/2014.)