Lois Lowry ​

Lois Lowry is an American author known for her work in children's literature. She has won multiple awards, including two Newbery Medals for her novels "Number the Stars" and "The Giver". Lowry's writings frequently touch on complex themes and societal issues.

Quick Facts ​

• Best known for her young-adult novel The Giver, for which she won the 1994 Newbery Medal.
• Wrote more than 45 books, mostly for children and young adults.
• Her books sold millions of copies worldwide.
• Her work often explores themes of racism, inequality, and the realities of war.
• Has been awarded the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in recognition of her significant contribution to writing for teens.

Background ​

Lowry was born in 1937 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of an army officer which resulted in a childhood spent moving from place to place. She studied writing at Brown University but left before graduating to get married and start a family. It was not until her mid-thirties, after completing her degree at the University of Southern Maine, that she began her career as a professional writer. Her first novel, A Summer to Die, was published in 1977. Since then, she has written over 30 books for young adults and is best known for The Giver, which won the 1994 Newbery Medal. She has received countless awards for her work, including two more Newbery Medals for Number the Stars and The Giver. She lives in Maine and occasionally writes about her life and reflections on her website.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Lowry's books are characterized by their concise and straightforward style. She has a knack for exploring complex societal and moral issues through simple storylines. Her work often deal with topics like dystopia, ethics, and the power of memory. Most notably, she often explores the theme of humanity's relationship with the past and the future. Her book "The Giver" has been praised as a groundbreaking work in the genre of young adult dystopian fiction.

Notable Works ​

• Number the Stars (1989)
• The Giver (1993)
• Gathering Blue (2000)
• Messenger (2004)
• Son (2012)