Country matters

I am in Maine now and seeing first hand what the latest storm has done here. It followed, of course, a winter of huge snowfall...I am looking through the window at the moment at Alfie, playing King of the Hill, sitting atop a snowbank probably 12 feet high. Around the edges of the supermarket parking lot, the snow is as high as a two-story house.

The recent storm was more snow, then rain, then freezing temperatures. So there is ice everywhere, and when I got here, although the driveway was plowed, (thank you, Jesse), the garage door was frozen closed. Eventually, though chopping and shoveling and..yes...swearing...I got it open. And I carved a path to the place where the oil company feeds oil into the furnace; if I don't keep that cleared, they won't deliver oil. But there is no way I can get to, or defrost, or expose, the propane gas tank behind the house...it feeds the six top burners of my Viking stove, and it is now empty and won't be accessible till spring. So cooking will be a challenge. There will be a lot of roasted vegetables, I think, and micro-waved things. And next fall I will not start out with a half-full tank, which was my mistake this year.

The local paper, as always, is filled with local color. In the police blotter....two car accidents involving deer (no moose; sometimes there is a moose-car collision, and that usually sadly involves two deaths: moose and driver); a rescue of a woman who went through the ice at Moose Pond; and...surely there is more to this story but all I know is the terse report from the paper: a horse "went through the floorboards" and was lifted to safety with the help of "heavy equipment and a sling."

A friend of mine arrives later today: my friend Kay, who is on sabbatical from teaching at Harvard and is writing a book. She'll be in one room at her computer and I out here in my studio off the barn at my own computer. We'll have each other's company for meals (roasted vegetables!) and evenings for the whole week. And we both plan on getting lots done though we may be distracted by dogs. She is bringing hers; mine is here; the two of them play very excitedly with each other whenever they're together, and we are hoping that an extended visit may calm them down. Either that or we will all be crazy at the end of the week.

Yikes. I just heard a huge roaring, thumping, crashing sound. Snow sliding off roof. Luckily the dog was not underneath.

Bad news from The Giver Movie front. David Yates, the director currently working on the next Harry Potter film, was supposed to begin The Giver film next. But he has just decided he wants to do the final Harry Potter first, thereby postponing The Giver by several years. Maybe the opening of this film could be held simultaneously with my celebration-of-life service after I succumb to old age? Or the producers will decide to get a different director. Stand by. But without holding your breath.

Okay, back to work. That's what I came here for, and that's what I'm doing.

Comments

[JennJenn]

I got an account here just to comment on this. I am SO terribly excited that they are going to be making The Giver into a movie. I read it first when I was about 12-13 and now I'm 21 and I still have the original I first got back then. It's a bit tattered with several re-reads, but I'm don't care. Definitely one of my more favorite books. Don't know if you will actually read this Ms Lowry, but I absolutely love your writing style and I am so happy that someone is going to make this book into a movie. I just hope they do it justice. :)

-Jenn

[Lois Lowry]

Yes, indeed, I do actually read comments. I don't publish those from kid, incidentally, because someone once kindly pointed out to me that strangers can reach the commenter by email, and I don't want to make kids accessible to strangers.

But I do read them all, and I'm glad to hear you're glad about the movie, and young enough to wait for it!

[ChickenChild]

Wow David Yates? he is cool! i love harry potter. The Giver is one of my favorite books of all time! it would make a great movie :)

[nichelle]

I first read The Giver in the fifth grade and I adored it - my teachers doubted that I even understood it! I've read it probably a million times in the past five years and recently wrote a paper about it. It's one of my all time favorite books. I'm beyond happy that there's going to be a film. I actually heard about it through a Harry Potter fansite talking about David Yates directing. Though I've been waiting ages for them to decide on a director, I've been waiting longer to SEE The Giver. I can't wait!!
I wish you the best of luck on the movie and anything else you write!

[Ash]

I stole your book.

Back in 5th grade I happened to pick up "The Giver" off the shelves of my school's library and read it several times over. It was nearing the end of the year by then and my mother was packing for our move to another house. We were changing schools too and she happened to pick up "The Giver" from where it lay on top of my bookshelf and pack it away with the rest of my books. By the time we moved and unpacked,fidning the misplaced book in the process, we were hours away from my old school. I still plan on returning the book at some point, should I happen to travel back to my old town, complete with a brand new copy and copies of "Gathering Blue" and "The Messenger" to make up for having stolen the book in the first place.

Anyways, I had no idea you had a blog until(in the course of reporting that David Heyman would be sticking around for the 7th Harry Potter movie) my go-to Harry Potter news site mentioned that he would not be able to work on "The Giver" right away if that was the case. And, of course, I was completely estatic that someone had finally decided to make it into a movie. I just reread all three books and can't wait to see it.

I love your writing and will one day return my copy of "The Giver" back to its proper place--hopefully before *my* celebration-of-life service. ^_^

[Mary]

Well, the news about David Yates is a big deal for the JK Rowling fans, though I'm sorry it's bad news for Team Lowry.
Which I have just joined this week, after my neighbor, an English teacher, lent me "The Giver." What a great book, and what serendipity to find this blog via The Leaky Cauldron.
Ms Lowry, get your producers to put Alfonso Cuaron on board! He's directed the best Potter movie ("Prisoner of Azkaban"), and some of my other favorites, including "Children of Men" and "A Little Princess."
I'm a 42-year-old mother of two girls. I look forward to introducing your books to them. Glad to have gotten a head start -- thank you.

[worldcupman]

I'm both a huge harry potter fan and a Giver fan, and I think its AWESOME that The Giver is being made into a movie. I would love to see Asher,Jonas,and The Giver!!!! Hope you have a good time in Maine..and don't get to distracted!!!

----worldcupman----

[Jennifer Elliott]

Oh no! My students were so excited about The Giver movie coming out around 2009 or 2010. They had plans of convincing their high school teachers to take them to the theaters. I'll have to break the news to them gently tomorrow. Well... maybe I'll wait until next week when it's not a full moon. :) Though I am disappointed, I guess I can look at it this way: I can now teach The Giver for several more years without worrying about my students just watching the movie. I will miss teaching it for the couple years after the movie comes out, but perhaps I can replace it with another book of yours by then!

[Kelci]

I am also happy to find out about The Giver movie. I read it a few years ago in school. We were supposed to stay where the class was but I got so into the book I was done way before anyone else. I have bought the book now and am going to reread it. Yesterday I told my older sister that she should read it. Now hopefully she does. I love the book. I will be waiting to see it in theaters.

[Charles]

Since reading The Giver many times in elementary school and again in middle school, I have been wondering about the prospect of it being made into a film.

Sorry to hear about this new delay.

Having spent my life avoiding sub-freezing temperatures, I can't say I've ever experienced a storm like you've described. Sounds pretty nasty, but you sound like a survivor.

--Charles

[Julie]

This is fantastic ! The Giver was the first book I ever read and reread and rereread when I was about 10 or 11. It made me travel, I simply will never forget that book. A year ago, I came accross it in a library and just couldn't resist buying it again to reread it. I am now 23 and the book still makes me dream. I hope it goes well with David Yates (I'm also a huge fan of Harry Potter so both films are important to me !). I will certainely be in my theater when the Giver will be ready. Thanks a lot Ms Lowry !

(PS: excuse possible mistakes, I'm french)

[HenriqueM]

I don't like to wait...
But, what can I do?
I have to wait.

Sorry, my english is not good.

Bye bye.

[Jake Platt]

Ms. Lowery,

I know you must receive plenty of letters in your lifetime, but I wrote you a number of years ago telling you how much I adored The Giver. I wanted to tell you that it is by and far one of my favorite novels and I think it will be a spectacular film no matter what. Thank you for writing such a wonderful novel!! :) Jake

[Michelle]

I am a great fan of your books. I really like the style of it. It is a great pleasure to read your books over and over again. It gives me a different feeling each time.

[Evan]

Ms. Lowry,

I am thrilled to hear that The Giver is being made into a movie. It should be brilliant. After reading the first comment, this is going to sound repetitive, but I first read this story in the sixth grade when I was 12 years old. I am now 19 and I've probably read it ten times since then. It is the most-read book in my collection, I'm proud to say. The Giver is a story that I always go back to when I'm looking for something to read. I hope the movie does it justice and that you enjoy it as much as I, and countless other fans, will.

Best of luck,
Evan

[Eva]

Hello Ms. Lowry,

I stumbled upon your blog through a link on mugglenet.com. I had no idea that there is to be a Giver movie, and I am super excited. I think I first read The Giver when I was around eight or nine, and it remains one of my favourite books to this day (I'm nineteen). I really hope whoever ends up directing it stays true to your vision, and that you are pleased with the end product. I can't wait to see the movie (although I think I'll have to)! Best wishes, Eva.

[Tainã]

Hello Ms. Lowry,

I stumbled upon your blog through a link on mugglenet.com. I live fron Brazil and love Harry potter

e adorari ver ele novamente. dirigindo o filme XD e pede pra ele me me arranjar um papel no filme kkkkkkkk

Sorry, my english is not good! =/

thanks Tainã

[Juan]

I also found your blog from Mugglenet. I am a great fan of your books, especially The Giver. I've been stalking the IMDB page for information on the film, and thought it was never going to happen! I am glad to hear that you still want the film to be made. =o)

[Stacey Clark]

Hello Ms. Lowry,

I am so excited to hear that The Giver is being made into a movie (although I'm sorry to hear of the possible delay). It is one of my favorite books (along with Number the Stars). I am excited to now share these books with my children.

My mother is the head children's librarian in one of the Maine school systems. A few years ago, she was lucky enough to meet you. You were kind enough to sign and personalize a copy of The Giver for my daughter, Helena. I just want to thank you and let you know how much we treasure this signed copy.

Many thanks,
Stacey Clark

[Jake Platt]

My apologies for having misspelled your name. :)

Ms. Lowry,

I know you must receive plenty of letters in your lifetime, but I wrote you a number of years ago telling you how much I adored The Giver. I wanted to tell you that it is by and far one of my favorite novels and I think it will be a spectacular film no matter what. Thank you for writing such a wonderful novel!! :) Jake

[Michael]

Ms. Lowry,
I love your books. My faveorite is "Number the Stars" Right now I am reading the "Giver" in English class. I'm going to inform my teacher that they are making a movie. Since I'm a fan of Harry Potter, I say David Yates is going to do great.
~Mike~

[Mary Anne Gilbert]

MS Lowry,
I am so happy to find your web site. I have been a fan of your books for a while. I so love the "Giver" and "Gathering Blue". My daughter introduced me to your books when she was 12, (she is now 26.) I hope David Yates can direct the movie. He has done Harry Potter justice and I know he would do a great job with the "Giver". Wait for him.

[Kyrie]

I teach The Giver to my 7th grade language arts classes. In fact, we're right in the middle of it as we speak. Of course, the media-savvy children that they are, I was asked if there was a video for it. I'll be happy to announce that there will be...someday.

[Ellen Booraem]

Ms. Lowry:
I live in Maine, too. (And write kids' books!) But I'm on the coast, where we've been getting rain rather than snow a lot of the time. We have a fresh five inches of lovely snow on top of ice at the moment, so the world is gorgeous but treacherous. (What else is new?)If you'll send us some of your snow, we'll send propane!

I am a huge fan of The Giver--sorry about the movie fracas. The power of the Web catches all of us by surprise at times...

[Leif Estrada]

Hello Ms. Lowry,
I just wanted to tell you that I started reading your book, The Giver, after hearing about the news of David Yates causing a postponment of the movie adaptation. I actually heard about it from Mugglecast, a Harry Potter podcast, and right after listening to that podcast and the good reviews they gave the book, I bought the book right away. I am currently in my first year at college and I have been looking for a good book to read to lessen the stress, especially now that mid terms are coming up.
And also, I learned through wikipedia that you were born in Hawaii...I just though that that was really cool, because I'm also from Hawaii; from Maui.
Anyway, thanks for such a good book! I love The Giver!!! I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy!
More power and Mahalo!
a new fan of your book,
Leif