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For a contributing citizen to be released from the community was a final decision, a terrible punishment, an overwhelming statement of failure.

Lois Lowry

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Lois Lowry
Age: 87
Born: 1937
Born: March 20
Journalist
Novelist
Photographer
Writer
Honolulu
Hawaii
Lois Ann Hammersberg
Lois James Worthy Johnson
Final
Finals
Punishment
Contributing
Failure
Released
Citizens
Statement
Terrible
Citizen
Decision
Overwhelming
Community
Statements

More quotes by Lois Lowry

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Kids deserve the right to think that they can change the world.
Lois Lowry
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It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be frightened.
Lois Lowry
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Early on I came to realize something, and it came from the mail I received from kids. That is, kids at that pivotal age, 12, 13 or 14, they're still deeply affected by what they read, some are changed by what they read, books can change the way they feel about the world in general. I don't think that's true of adults as much.
Lois Lowry
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I often compare myself as a kid to my own grandchildren, who are around 11 and 14 now. That's the age kids usually read my book. And I remember myself, we'd gone through a world war. My father was an army officer so I was aware of what was going on. But I wasn't bombarded with images of catastrophe like many kids are today.
Lois Lowry
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If you were to be lost in the river, Jonas, your memories would not be lost with you. Memories are forever.
Lois Lowry
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I would say that most of my books are contemporary realistic fiction... a couple, maybe three, fall into the 'historic fiction' category. Science fiction is not a favorite genre of mine, though I have greatly enjoyed some of the work of Ursula LeGuin. I haven't read much science fiction so I don't know other sci-fi authors.
Lois Lowry
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There was just a moment when things weren't quite the same, weren't quite as they had always been through the long friendship
Lois Lowry
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He wept because he was afraid now that he could not save Gabriel. He no longer cared about himself
Lois Lowry
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Sometimes I wish they'd ask for my wisdom more often - there are so many things I could tell them things I wish they would change. But they don't want change. Life here is so orderly, so predictable - so painless. It's what they've chosen.
Lois Lowry
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Reading is the most important way to prepare for life.
Lois Lowry
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I write books because I have always been fascinated by stories and language, and because I love thinking about what makes people tick. Writing a story... 'The Giver' or any other... is simply an exploration of the nature of behavior: why people do what they do, how it affects others, how we change and grow, and what decisions we make along the way.
Lois Lowry
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Writing is hard work, and fun, and requires you to keep your backside in a chair when you would sometimes like to put it elsewhere. So the only wisdom is the advice to keep at it, I guess.
Lois Lowry
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He was free to enjoy the breathless glee that overwhelmed him: the speed, the clear cold air, the total silence, the feeling of balance and excitement and peace.
Lois Lowry
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Today is declared an unscheduled holiday.
Lois Lowry
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Gathering Blue' was a separate book. I wanted to explore what a society might become after a catastrophic world event. Only at the end did I realize I could make it connect to 'The Giver.
Lois Lowry
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I have been fortunate. I have done so many things and enjoyed so many things and had such a great life, not to imply that it is ending, but that there aren't many things that I feel I have left undone.
Lois Lowry
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But then everyone would be burdened and pained. They don't want that. And that's the real reason The Receiver is so vital to them, and so honored. They selected me--and you-to lift that burden from themselves.
Lois Lowry
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I don't read young adult or children's books, now that my grandchildren are beyond the age of my reading to them. I read reviews, and so I'm aware of what's out there. But I tend not to read the books.
Lois Lowry
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I think when you've had success, publishers and reviewers and readers are willing to let you try something new if you've already proven yourself. They're excited about what you're doing, you have people interested in it, and actually waiting for it. It's empowering.
Lois Lowry
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And they are beginning to realize that the world they live in is a place where the right thing is often hard, sometimes dangerous, and frequently unpopular.
Lois Lowry