Lois Lowry

Photo © 2003 Bachrach

“As a child, I was always writing lists and keeping journals—much like Anastasia does. Today, I still do these things. I guess I’ll always be like Anastasia; I’m still a kid at heart.”—Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry has twice won the prestigious Newbery Medal for Number the Stars and The Giver. In Gathering Blue, the compelling companion to The Giver, Lowry transports young readers to another futuristic society.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Whether she’s writing comedy, adventure, or poignant, powerful drama—from Attaboy, Sam! and Anastasia Krupnik to Number the Stars and The Giver—Lois Lowry’s appeal is as broad as her subject matter and as deep as her desire to affect an eager generation of readers. An author who is “fast becoming the Beverly Cleary for the upper middle grades” (The Horn Book Magazine), Lois Lowry has written over 20 books for young adults and is a two-time Newbery Medal Winner.

Lois Lowry was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and attended junior high school in Tokyo, Japan. Her father was a dentist for the U.S. Army and his job entailed a lot of traveling. Lowry still likes to travel.

At the age of 17, Lowry attended Brown University and majored in writing. She left school at 19, got married, and had four children before her 25th birthday. After some time, she returned to college and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maine.

Lois Lowry didn’t start writing professionally until she was in her mid-30s. Now she spends time writing every single day. Before she begins writing a book, she usually knows the beginning and end of her story. When she’s not writing, Lowry enjoys gardening during the spring and summer and knitting during the winter. One of her other hobbies is photography, and her own photos grace the covers of Number the Stars, The Giver, and Gathering Blue.

Lois Lowry has four children and two grandchildren. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.



PRAISE

GATHERING BLUE
A Companion to The Giver

—A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

THE GIVER

—A Newbery Medal Winner
—An ALA Notable Book for Children
—An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
—A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
—A Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book
—A Booklist Editors’ Choice
—A Regina Medal Winner

YOUR MOVE, J.P.!

—A Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Book of the Year

A SUMMER TO DIE

—An ALA Notable Book for Children
—An International Reading Association Children’s Book Award
—A School Library Journal Best Book for Spring

RABBLE STARKEY

—A Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

NUMBER THE STARS

—A Newbery Medal Winner
—An ALA Notable Book for Children
—A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
—An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

AUTUMN STREET

—An ALA Notable Book for Children

ATTABOY, SAM!

—An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

ANASTASIA, ASK YOUR ANALYST

—An IRA–CBC Children’s Choice

ANASTASIA AGAIN!

—An ALA Notable Book for Children

Author Bookshelf
		All About Sam Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Everyone knows Sam Krupnik. He's Anastasia's pesty but lovable younger brother. This is Sam's big chance to tell things exactly the way he sees them.  He has his own ideas about haircuts, nursery school, getting shots, and not eating broccoli.  Sam thinks a lot about being bigger and stronger, about secret codes and show-and-tell. Make... Read More
		Anastasia Absolutely Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback The trouble begins when Anastasia goes to the mailbox with two packages and her new dog, Sleuth. It's there that she accidentally puts the bag of dog droppings into the mailbox instead of her mother's package. When she realizes her mistake, Anastasia uses her school Values Class experience to help her... Read More
		Anastasia Again Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Twelve-year-old Anastasia Krupnik is convinced that her family's move to the suburbs will be the beginning of the end. How can she possibly accept split-level houses with matching furniture, or mothers whose biggest worry is ring around collar? But her new home brings many surprises, notto mention a cute boy who... Read More
		Anastasia at this Address Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback "SWM, 28, boyish charm, inherited wealth, looking for tall young woman, nonsmoker, to share Caribbean vacations, reruns of Casablanca, and romance." When thirteen-year-old Anastasia Krupnic sees this ad in a personal column, she decides to write back, even though it means stretching the truth more than a little bit. So what... Read More
		Anastasia at your Service Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback A long, boring summer--that's what Anastasia has to look forward to when her best friend goes off to camp. She's thrilled when old Mrs. Bellingham answers her ad for a job as a Lady's Companion. Anastasia is sure her troubles are over--she'll be busy and earn money! But she doesn't expect to... Read More
		Anastasia Has the Answers Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Humiliated. That's how Anastasia Krupnik feels whenever she tries to climb the ropes in gym class. How come everyone else can climb up those hateful ropes? Since Anastasia has decided to become a journalist, it should be easy to answer most questions. Then why can't she understand about Daphne Bellingham's parents' divorce? And... Read More
		Anastasia Krupnik Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback To Anastasia Krupnik, being ten is very confusing. For one thing, she has this awful teacher who can't understand why Anastasia doesn't capitalize or punctuate her poems. Then, there's Washburn Cummings, a very interesting sixth-grade boy who doesn't even know she is alive. Even her parents have become difficult. They insist... Read More
		Anastasia on Her Own Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Help! Anastasia Krupnik's mother must organize her chaotic life. So Anastasia, who is a very organized person, and her father invent the solution to Mrs. Krupnik's problem: the Krupnik Family Nonsexist Housekeeping Schedule. But when Mrs. Krupnik goes to California on a ten-day business trip, Anastasia finds that the problem isn't solved... Read More
		Anastasia's Chosen Career Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Anastasia Krupnik has exactly one week to work on her school assignment called "My Chosen Career." Determined to be a bookstore owner, she must first develop poise and self-confidence. So Anastasia takes the plunge and spends her life savings on a modeling course at Studio Charmante. She has one week to... Read More
		Anastasia, Ask your Analyst Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback No one understands thirteen-year-old Anastasia  Krupnic, least of all her parents and her little  brother, Sam, who happens to be a genius. They're  such an embarrassment. Why can't they be normal, like  Anastasia? Then-presto! Anastasia  realizes that she has the problem--not her  relatives--and she must find help immediately. There's  not a moment to lose. Though her  parents insist she's normal and... Read More
		Attaboy, Sam! Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Read More
		Autumn Street Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Elizabeth is forced to grow up when her father goes to fight in World War II. Her family moves in with her grandfather, and a special friend is struck by tragedy. An ALA Notable Children's Book. Read More
		Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye Written by Lois Lowry Paperback Natalie Armstrong has all a girl could want: beauty and intelligence, a loving family and a great boyfriend. But something is missing; the answer to a most important question: "Who is my mother?" To find that answer seventeen-year-old Natalie begins a journey that she hopes will lead to the identity of her... Read More
		Gathering Blue Written by Lois Lowry Paperback Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted weaver and is given a task that no other community member can do. While her... Read More
		Gathering Blue Written by Lois Lowry Paperback Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted weaver and is given a task that no other community member can do. While her... Read More
		Gathering Blue Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. When she is given a task that no other community member can carry out, Kira soon realizes that she is surrounded by many mysteries and secrets. No one must know of her plans to... Read More
		The Giver Written by Lois Lowry Paperback Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of... Read More
		The Giver Written by Lois Lowry Paperback Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of... Read More
		The Giver Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback When Jonas turns 12, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. Now, it’s time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back. Read More
		Gooney Bird and the Room Mother Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Gooney Bird Greene likes to be right smack in the middle of everything. That's why she wants to have the lead role of Squanto in her class Thanksgiving pageant. But that role will go to whoever finds someone to be the room mother. All the parents are so busy, no one... Read More
		Gooney Bird Greene Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Two-time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry introduces a new girl in class who loves being the center of attention and tells the most entertaining “absolutely true” stories. There’s never been anyone like Gooney Bird Greene at Watertower Elementary School. What other new kid comes to school wearing pajamas and cowboy boots one... Read More
		Gooney the Fabulous Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Gooney Bird Greene has a fabulous idea after her teacher reads fables to the class. The children learn that fables are stories with animal characters that teach something important. Gooney’s fabulous idea is that each student create their own fable and tell it to the class! Everyone but Nicholas is excited... Read More
		Gossamer Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback Littlest One is a tiny creature slowly learning her job of giving dreams to humans. Each night she and her teacher, Thin Elderly, visit an old woman’s home where she softly touches beloved objects, gathering happy memories, and drops of old scents and sounds. Littlest One pieces these bits together and... Read More
		Looking Back Written by Lois Lowry Trade Paperback People are constantly asking two-time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry where she gets her ideas. In this fascinating memoir, Lowry answers this question, through recollections of childhood friends and pictures and memories that explore her rich family history. She recounts the pivotal moments that inspired her writing, describing how they magically turned... Read More
		Messenger Written by Lois Lowry Paperback For the past six years, Matty has lived in Village and flourished under the guidance of Seer, a blind man, known for his special sight. Village was a place that welcomed newcomers, but something sinister has seeped into Village and the people have voted to close it to outsiders. Matty has... Read More