Lois Lowry is a renowned and celebrated American author of children’s and young adult novels, as well as a memoir. She has written 48 books, and at age 87 continues to write today. Her most recent book, The Windeby Puzzle, was published in 2023. Lois Lowry’s early life was shaped by World War II and her father’s deployment. She was born in Hawaii in 1937 and published her first novel in 1977. Lois Lowry has won many awards for her work but is most proud of her two Newbery Medals (one of the most prestigious awards for children’s literature). She won her first Newbery Medal in 1990 for Number the Stars and her second medal for The Giver in 1994. Lois Lowry’s books are widely varied in their content, but they all share themes of connection, kindness, and empathy, which are values she hopes to impart to the world. Her work is celebrated by children, parents, and educators for its ability to both entertain and educate at the same time.

Gooney Bird Greene is a series of novellas for middle-grade readers that is written with the goal of inspiring and encouraging young people to love reading and to learn from what they are reading.