Laurie Halse Anderson grew up in Syracuse, New York, and now lives in Pennsylvania with her two daughters. The author of three picture books, 'Speak' was her first novel. Widely reviewed, it was a National Book Award finalist in the States, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, as well as winning the 1999 Golden Kite Award, given by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Both 'Speak' and 'Fever 1793' are listed in the Publishers Weekly Fiction Top Ten titles for May 2002.