Before taking this class I had never read a book by Louis Lowry. The past two weeks I have thoroughly enjoyed the reading. I find Lowry’s writing style engrossing. Lowry has intriguing plot lines that result in strong emotional bonds to the books.
Thus far I have only read Number the Stars and The Giver, both of which I could not put down.
In Number the Stars, I found the relationships between Annemarie and Ellen and Annemarie and her little sister so intriguing. It immediately took me back to my childhood. Though, the added element of German occupation made the novel even more heart wrenching. The girls’ interaction with each other was touching. I think this novel would be a wonderful tool for children, especially girls, going through adolescence. It shows the value of a true friendship and the effect it can have on a person.
In The Giver, the character of Jonas is a strong contrast to society, which makes a strong statement. The “community” in the novel functions as a utopian society. It appears to be perfect with no fears and no pain but as a result there is also no individuality or freedom. Jonas, a twelve-year-old boy, realizes the tragic fate of this world once he is able to see beyond and decides a change must be made. I thought the plot of this novel was fascinating because it has elements of science fiction yet it is a world that we know so well. Lowry is an effective writer because she writes in a way that people of all ages can relate.