Exclusive interview with award-winning author LOIS LOWRY!!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK AND WHY?
My favorite book of those I have written is AUTUMN STREET, because it came form my own life and the people in the book were real people whom I loved.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR TEACHERS WHO CHOOSE YOUR BOOKS TO WORK WITH IN CLASSROOM SETTINGS?
No messages. I admire teachers enormously...I have never been one myself. I just hope they never ruin the enjoyment of a book by inflicting quizzes and tests!
THE CAST OF PHANTOM PROJECTS’ PRODUCTION WAS THRILLED TO RECEIVE THEIR BOOKS, PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED BY YOU. THE STORY MEANS SO MUCH TO THEM, AND THE THREE YOUNGEST GIRLS COULDN’T CONTAIN THEIR EXCITEMENT. CAN YOU SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON NUMBER THE STARS BEING PERFORMED FOR OVER 2000 TEENS & STUDENTS?
NUMBER THE STARS has been around for many years...first the book, of course, and then later the play and also a musical production. (and 20+ foreign translations!) I am always thrilled at the thought of audiences hearing this wonderful true story of what happened in Denmark. It's important, I think to be reminded of such integrity.
HAVE YOU, AS AN AUDIENCE MEMBER, SEEN YOUR BOOKS/PLAYS PERFORMED BEFORE?
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE NUMBER THE STARS? AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO TELL THE STORY THRU THE EYES OF DANISH PEOPLE?
When I became aware of the real history, of what happened in Denmark in 1943, it was apparent to me that it was an important story to be told. There was no way to tell it except through the eyes of Danish people. They were the ones who created the story, who lived it.
WHAT DID YOU DO FOR RESEARCH IN A TIME WHEN THE INTERNET WASN’T AS ESTABLISHED AS IT IS NOW?
I used libraries in the United States and then I went to Denmark and talked to people who had been alive in 1943, some who had been members of the Resistance.
IS THERE A CHARACTER IN NUMBER THE STARS THAT YOU PERSONALLY RELATE TO?
I suppose that as a mother myself I can most relate to the character of the mother.
IF YOU CAN GIVE THE CAST A MESSAGE, SOMETHING THEY CAN HOLD ONTO WHILE PERFORMING THE STORY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Oh gosh, I am bad at inspirational messages! I know they'll do a great job.
IS THERE ANOTHER BOOK OF YOURS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE TURNED INTO A PLAY?
Many have been. I adapted the book GOSSAMER for the stage myself. And THE GIVER has been performed on stage over a thousand times. GATHERING BLUE has been a musical.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
I am not at home at the moment and I don't have a copy of the book (and haven't read it in a very long time). But I do like the (true) line, in describing a boy talking of the king to a German soldier, when he says "All of Denmark is his bodyguard." Apparently that incident actually happened. I can't remember if the scene is in the play. - LL <3
THANK YOU LOIS!! - PHANTOM PROJECTS appreciates you taking the time!!
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