Sunshine does seem to alleviate most irritations, I find. I'm sending you good vibes, especially since I believe it's your birthday tomorrow. (Mine is the day after: used to be the first day of Spring, but now your day wears the mantle. Is there such a thing as "calendar envy?")

Sometimes I think rudeness comes in waves, and it sounds like you're in the middle of one. I hope you encounter some politeness/good cheer soon to balance out!

Did you ever read a story by Shirley Jackson--the title is something like "An Ordinary Day With Peanuts..." anyway, it's about a man who walks around the city being nice to everyone, he babysits, matchmakes for a cute couple, basically assists people in every way possible and hands out peanuts. Then he goes home to his wife who has spent her day being awful, getting people fired, etc. At the end of the story, they decide to switch roles for the next day. Anyway, if you need some metaphorical peanuts, check this out: http://givesmehope.tumblr.com/">http://givesmehope.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">http://givesmehope.tumblr.com/">http://givesmehope.tumblr.com/

Hang in there, Lois! There's a lot of good energy heading your way every single day. And you are neither cheap nor a "B"!
Here's a wish for good reading, good writing, good eating, and good traveing!

I am studying for my MLS (Library Science degree) and in one of my courses we had to select an award winning author to study, I chose you. As a child and now as an adult The Giver is one of my favorite books. The thought of all these people suggesting it be burned makes me sick. It simply perpetuates the book-less society that exists within its pages. So for good vibes know you are one of my favorite authors and I have not been disappointed by anything I read by you.
Ashley Barrineau

The Giver burned!!?? No way! I am a teacher, and my students love it.
As for New York, don't take it personally. I grew up there and isolated incidents like that were a part of life. In fact, I chose some of them to put in my writing. My students love to hear about them.

An exchange student once toured the US following his graduation and observed that it's customary throughout the US for strangers to wish each other a nice day. Except in New York. Where, he noted, pragmatic New Yorkers understood that if you wanted to have a nice day you wouldn't be in New York. That's a bit severe, I think. And I'm also a bit surprised you received that level of rudeness. Here's a good vibe sent your way from neighboring NJ.

Oh my. Still sending good vibes your way! I suppose all the negativity can make for interesting story-telling. Just found your blog by way of a listserv msg about the dedication in your new Birthday Ball book. I'll now be checking in on your blog every now and again to see what you're up to! I went to a Christian Science school and thank God our English assignments included a hearty portion of banned and challenged books like yours! The Giver was life-altering (in a passionately good way), and I could not imagine my life not having read this book. My original copy, yellowed with age, has been with me through high school, college, multiple apartments over the years, and is now settled again on my bookshelf in my house. I can't recall which of your books I read first (back in the early 90's) but I'm pretty sure I was hooked on you after reading my first Lois Lowry. Beyond the assigned literature for school, I went to the library and read more of your stuff. Amazing. You still are one of my most favorite authors!

As a high school student, it's inspiring to learn about people like you. I spend half an hour choosing an outfit in the morning and feel discouraged if, at the end of the day, I haven't received any compliments. You are insulted three times in one day and still hold your head high. You're an inspiration to all.
P.S. whoever sent those anonymous emails truly are either deranged or addicted to something. Your books are so enlivening that I just had to look up a synonym for "inspiring" on thesaurus.com. I've chosen The Giver as the subject of my Junior Research Paper, and after weeks of research this is the first essay of my high school career that I'm actually excited to write. Bravo!

Not to pressure you, but I'd love a direct quote to use for my paper, if you could. And if there's no response I'll understand. How does your book, The Giver, reflect American society of the time in which it was written?

If you need a reply, it is preferable to email me directly, by clicking on "email me" on my website.