Travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts for a discussion with two-time Newbery Award-winning author Lois Lowry. The author talks about her inspirations for The Giver and Number the Stars, and offers advice to the young writer. -20 mins

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Topics for classroom discussion and assignments:

• In Number the Stars, Lois Lowry writes about the integrity and courage of people in Denmark during the Holocaust. Research other heroes of World War II from different countries. Make an oral presentation to the class on each of the heroes to the class. As a follow-up activity, research the heroes of today.

• Write an answer of the following question:  Why do we have to remember the past?

• Lois Lowry suggests that the students write a letter to their grandparents. Even if it won’t be mailed, write a letter to your grandparents (or parents) as if you were writing to a friend. The letter can tell a story or simply be about your day.

• Lois Lowry says that the book The Yearling had a profound influence on her life.  Discuss which books have affected your life and how. Write an essay about the book which has affected you the most.

• Class project: Create a class list of the most mentioned books from the discussion above. Post it, and make it a goal for students to read as many of those books on your own as they can.