2007 Margaret A. Edwards Award
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The Margaret A. Edwards Award, established in 1988, honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work,
that have been popular over a period of time.
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Lois Lowry, author of "The Giver," is the recipient of the 2007 Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her outstanding lifetime contribution to writing
for teens. The award was announced January 22 at the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Seattle.
"The Giver," published by Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Company, explores a future where differences have been erased and strict rules
govern society. The novel tells the story of Jonas, a young man designated as the new Receiver of Memory for his community.
Little by little, Lowry reveals what is absent from Jonas’ life: color, pain, love. Readers, along with Jonas, discover that lack of freedom is too heavy
a price to pay for security.
"‘The Giver’ is a timeless classic with widespread teen appeal," said Edwards Committee Chair Mary Hastler. "Lowry’s complex and provocative
novel, translated into 22 languages, remains infinitely discussable."
In fact, "The Giver" was one of the most frequently challenged books from 1990-2000, as recorded by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. A
challenge is a formal, written attempt to remove a book from a library or classroom.
Published in 1993, "The Giver" continues to provide a mechanism for teens to understand themselves, the world in which they live and their
relationships with others and with society.
"The book has held a unique position in teen literature. Lowry’s exceptional use of metaphors and subtle complexity make it a book that will be
discussed, debated and challenged for years to come…a perfect teen read," Hastler said.
Lowry lives in Boston and continues to provide support to those fighting censorship attempts against this complex novel.