March 28, 2002
LOIS LOWRY, AUTHOR OF THE GIVER, TO SPEAK AT VITERBO
LA CROSSE, Wis—Two-time Newbery Medal award-winning author Lois Lowry will speak at Viterbo University Friday, April 12
All 1,100 tickets which were available for the presentation are gone and a capacity crowd is expected in the Fine Arts Center to hear the author discuss The Giver, her best-selling science fiction/fantasy novel which is a favorite among young adult readers.
Lowry’s 7-p.m. talk will be followed by a book signing.
Lowry also won the Newbery (given annually for the most distinguished contribution to literature for children) for her novel Number the Stars (1990). Author of 27 books, Lowry has received many other honors: The Golden Kite Award (1987), The Regina Medal (1994), the Belgium and French Le Tam-Tam Award (1995) and the National Jewish book Award (1990).
The Giver, written in 1994, is often an assigned reading in schools because of its well-crafted story line and underlying messages which prompt considerable discussion. In a future utopian society, the Giver is the only person who holds all the stories and images of the past. In this so-called perfect world, everything is done for its citizens and imperfection is unacceptable. Babies who are damaged at birth are destroyed; the elderly and infirmed face a similar fate. Other powerful themes provoke discussion.
Lowry’s appearance at Viterbo is sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council with additional support from the Viterbo bookstore, the La Crosse Public Library, La Crosse County Library Board and the Midwest Wisconsin Reading Council.