Author Visit Facts
What day is LHA "coming" to Burger?
Friday, February 18th
What is one of the "gross, disgusting" things Laurie mentions about yellow fever as she describes what she learned in her early research?
* "People are puking all over the place", "the whites of your eyeballs will turn yellow", "your skin would turn yellow", etc. 😝🤢
Was Laurie Halse Anderson ALWAYS a success when she sent books off to be published?
Nope! "The pain...the pain of rejection never goes away!" she said after receiving many Fever 1793 rejection letters.
What are 3 genres has Laurie written?
Young Adult, Historical Fiction, and Fiction for Young Readers, or Non-Fiction for Young Readers
What does Laurie call herself to as a runner?
A "galloping turtle"...much like her writing process, she says. 🐢😄
What class period is LHA "coming" to Burger?
2nd period--> During our class! 😁
What does Laurie call herself when she says she "doesn't like to let things go-- especially when it comes to her writing"?
A pack rat 🐀
Why does LHA write about "dark subjects"?
She feels it's important because teens "have to deal with dark things every day. Many of thm have to cope with hard things, sadly. When they read books about similar experiences, they feel less alone." 🧡
What novel did Laurie write to begin her "Seeds of America" series? (Hint: it's the one that kicks off the American Revolution and includes characters such as Isabel, Ruth, Curzon, etc.)
Chains, of course! 🔗🧡🔗🤍🔗💙
What vegetables does Laurie get excited about planting in her garden?
Parsnips and cucumbers.
Why are their quotes around "coming to Burger" when we talk about our upcoming Author Visit?
Because she's going to Zoom with us-- so she's not REALLY coming to Burger. But hey-- better than NO author visit!
What does Laurie say she loves to do, saying "that's how I roll"? (Hint: what do good writers need to do to write accurate historical fiction?)
She loves to research what she writes about!
What does LHA say about "writing perfectly"?
To "STOP trying to write perfectly. Writing is messy and awkward. Write a mess and clean it up in revision."
What is the trilogy of books (and their order) that LHA wrote about the "Seeds of America", aka the American Revolution series?
Chains --> Forge --> Ashes
Did LHA prepare to be a writer like MOST authors? (Hint: think schooling and back up your answer with some details)
No-- she did not study creative writing or English Literature in college, like most trained writers do/have. She was a linguistics major (study of language).
She's "convinced that's why she became a writer because otherwise she's sure someone would have beaten my love of story out of me."
Who is responsible for setting up this Author Visit?
Miss Reed, our fabulous Library Media Specialist 📚
Where did Laurie say the idea for Fever 1793 came from?
Out of a 1993 newspaper article about the LONG AGO yellow fever epidemic. 🦟
What is some GREAT writing advice LHA tells kids?
Answers vary...please say where your quote/advice comes from too!
What's one of LHA's teen novel titles?
Twisted, Winter Girls, The Impossible Knife of Memory, Prom, Speak, Shout, etc.
What's the name of LHA's website?
Mad Woman in the Forest 🌲🌳🌲🌳
Pretend that you hear someone in the hall saying, "Laurie Halse Anderson, who the heck is she and why should I care?" What could you say to this person, now that you know more about LHA?
Answers may vary but should INSPIRE others to want to give her a chance. C'mon-- she's quirky and funny! It should be a good "visit"!
What ages did Laure mention as those who "really like to read gross things"? (Between ____ to __ years old)
Between the ages of 9 to 19 years old. " I see you middle schoolers: I know what you're like. I have not matured much since Middle School myself."
Where does Laurie LOVE to write her stories?
By her "magical window" in the beautiful cabin/cottage her husband and friends built for her in the woods.
What did LHA say happened when she submitted her finished edition of Fever 1793?
She was rejected. MANY times; "I wrote really badly, at first...nobody wanted to publish it because earlier drafts of the book were pretty bad, quite frankly. I had a ton of rejection letters. The pain of rejection never goes away. But when you get published, it feels pretty darn good. "
What advice would LHA give her teenage self?