Winnie Thornton

Winnie Thornton asked Lois Lowry:

"The Giver" is definitely written for kids, but it still manages to hit pretty hard--especially with the "release" of unwanted babies and elderly people. Did you find it hard to keep this toned down enough for your middle-grade audience? What was your approach? Related to that: have you ever received negative feedback from parents/adults who thought it too intense for children?

Lois Lowry Yes, over the years there have been objections from parents who want to protect their kids. I understand that but I think it is misplaced concern. I think out kids are well-served by learning about the world and the things they will face. A book is such a safe place for such knowledge to be imparted.

More Answered Questions

Bethany

Bethany asked Lois Lowry:

What was the first idea that your remember coming to you that you eventually formed into "The Giver?" Did it percolate a while inside you or did you take off running with the idea?

Morgane Cpl

Morgane Cpl asked Lois Lowry:

Hello! I'm thinking about writing my master's thesis on partly The Giver and partly Brave New World set both in a dystopian context. My question is as follows : are the books from The Giver quartet independent from each other or should we read Gathering Blue before Messenger or Son for instance?

Chloe Dunkley

Chloe Dunkley asked Lois Lowry:

What do you think about The Giver having such a huge audience and range of people reading it? I'm 18 and I gave the book to my 83 year old Granny and she really enjoyed it. I love that it is so accessible and interesting to a huge range of people but I just wondered what you thought of that?

All answers from Lois Lowry…

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