The Giver Biography Biography About Her Writing About Her Writing Book Reviews Book Reviews

Biography Birthplace: Hawaii Birth Date: March 20, 1937 Parents: Robert & Katherine Education: Brown University, University of Southern Maine University of Southern Maine Her father was in the Army so her family moved around a lot. Lois has lived all around the world.

She married after her sophomore year at Brown and had four children. They settled in Maine where she finished her degree at USM. She is currently is divorced living in West Cambridge with her dog, Bandit.

She’s an author of over 20 books for young adults including those in the popular Anastasia Krupnik series. She’s an author of over 20 books for young adults including those in the popular Anastasia Krupnik series. Twice the winner of the Newbery Medal for her novel Number the Stars Twice the winner of the Newbery Medal for her novel Number the Stars “She fulfilled a childhood dream when she began writing in the mid-1970’s”

Winner of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award. Winner of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award. Winner of the Boston Globe – Horn Book Award. Winner of the Boston Globe – Horn Book Award. Winner of the California Young Reader’s Medal. Winner of the California Young Reader’s Medal. Winner of the Mark Twain Award. Winner of the Mark Twain Award.

About Her Writing “She fulfilled a childhood dream when she began writing in the mid-1970’s” She has tackled a number of topics in her literature including adoption, mental illness, cancer, the Holocaust and futuristic societies. Whatever the theme, Lowry portrays realistic life experiences to her audience.

About Her Writing “She fulfilled a childhood dream when she began writing in the mid-1970’s” In her books, Lois Lowry throws her characters and readers into many thought-provoking situations.

Book Reviews “Lowry is once again in top form – raising many questions while answering few, and unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers.” “Lowry is once again in top form – raising many questions while answering few, and unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers.” Publishers Weekly February 15, 1993

Book Reviews “…The Giver, a powerful and provocative novel, is sure to keep older children reading and thinking!” “…The Giver, a powerful and provocative novel, is sure to keep older children reading and thinking!” Karen Ray of the New York Times October 26, 1993

Once readers make contact with Lowry’s treasure, they may never see things exactly quite the same.

Bonus Question? What was Lois Lowry’s Dog’s name?

Bonus Answer! Bandit!

What is UTOPIA? The Giver By: Lois Lowry Pre-Reading Activity

Utopia An ideally perfect place in terms of: social aspects political aspects moral aspects

What would you visualize as the “perfect” world?

Take a minute to reflect… What do you think a Utopian society would be like? What do you think a Utopian society would be like? Are all people free? Are all people free? Do people have monkeys as butlers? Do people have monkeys as butlers? What jobs are there? What jobs are there? What are the rules and the laws? What are the rules and the laws? What happens if people break the laws? What happens if people break the laws? Would there be religion? Would there be religion? Who would rule the country? Who would rule the country?

The reality of UTOPIA Could there ever be a “perfect” world? Could there ever be a “perfect” world? What inhibits us from living in a perfect world? What inhibits us from living in a perfect world?

Utopia and The Giver There is a thin line between utopia and dystopia as we will study in Lois Lowry’s, The Giver. In this “perfect” world, citizens are restricted on clothing, jobs, spouse and children, therefore leaving personal choice out of the question. Is there a price to pay in a seemingly perfect world?

Essential Questions We will consider the following questions during our study of The Giver. –W–W–W–What are the characteristics of a community? –H–H–H–How do members of the community affect one another? –I–I–I–Is belonging to a community a good thing? –S–S–S–Should the government restrict personal freedoms for the good of the community? Record these in the first page of your journal. Introduction

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