Laurie Halse Anderson given award by NCAC for defending free speech

I LOVE this! Laurie Halse Anderson (SPEAK, WinterGirls) got an award from the NCAC, honoring her as a Defender of Free Speech. And it was handed to her by Judy Blume, no less! This is so fitting, since SPEAK is often challenged. I'm glad this happened. Laurie is one of those authors I really look up to.