Lois Lowry on 'Building 903,' 'The Giver' and relationships between the old and young
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, author Lois Lowry discusses her latest novel Building 903, which imagines a dystopian 2099 where books, art, and music have been systematically eliminated. Lowry shares the real-world experiences that inspired this cautionary tale, including visiting her grandson's empty high school library, and explains how literature cultivates imagination and empathy—capacities she fears are eroding in contemporary society.
The conversation also explores recurring themes across Lowry's work, particularly the relationships between young and old characters that appear throughout her books, from The Giver to Building 903. Lowry reflects on how her communication with readers has evolved from monthly letters to daily emails, and discusses how she balances adapting to modern readers' expectations for faster pacing while maintaining her commitment to careful language and storytelling craft.
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1-Page Summary
Building 903's Dystopia and Lowry's Literary Concerns
A World Without Books, Art, or Music
Lois Lowry's Building 903 is set in 2099, depicting a dystopian society ruled by Zulkirus, a despotic leader who has maintained autocratic control for decades through electoral corruption. Lowry explains that Zulkirus has systematically eliminated music, pets, art, and especially books, creating a society characterized by "a lot of no's." The cultural deprivation is so complete that young people like protagonist Tessa and even their parents have never experienced literature, leaving them without any frame of reference for understanding written works.
The novel follows 14-year-old Tessa, whose elderly neighbor Miriam gives her a key to hidden contraband before being sent away to a facility. When Tessa discovers the books, she opens The Very Hungry Caterpillar and struggles to understand it, revealing the profound intellectual loss inflicted by the regime.
Fears About Declining Literature in Education
Lowry's vision for Building 903 stems from real-world anxieties about eroding literature in contemporary education. She recalls visiting her grandson's high school library and finding the shelves completely empty—books were no longer kept there. This startling encounter, combined with observations of schools replacing full-length books with excerpts, prompted Lowry to imagine a world where books have faded entirely. For Lowry, whose lifelong relationship with literature has been deeply meaningful, the prospect of literary disappearance is painful and compelled her to construct this warning about what could happen if society continues to erode its connection to cultural heritage.
Imagining and Empathizing Through Stories
Lowry reflects on literature's profound role in shaping human imagination, empathy, and connection. She describes how books like The Yearling and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn expanded her horizons as a child, granting her "the privilege, which I worry is being lost now," to enter the heart of another human being through reading.
The Connection Between Imagination and Empathy
Lowry explicitly connects imagination to empathy, explaining that when people lose the power to imagine themselves in the place of another—even a caterpillar—they lose the capacity for empathy. This loss threatens humanity's future. Tessa's confusion when encountering The Very Hungry Caterpillar exemplifies this—having never seen a book, caterpillar, or butterfly, she lacks the imaginative power to envision what's being described.
Leaving Mysteries Unresolved
In Building 903, Lowry deliberately leaves certain mysteries unsolved, including the nature of the "tattooed man" and other characters. She wants readers to finish her book feeling satisfied yet eager to wonder about unresolved questions with others, inviting them to extend the work of the text imaginatively and engage as active participants.
Intergenerational Relationships in Lowry's Work
Lowry's literary career is deeply rooted in exploring relationships between the very young and the very old. From her first book, she has intentionally included connections between young and elderly characters, a pattern evident in works like The Giver and Tree Table Book. As Lowry aged and built close relationships with her grandchildren, these intergenerational dynamics became even more important in her life and work.
The Value of Elders Sharing Stories
Lowry often illustrates elders sharing stories with youth, finding it a recurring element across her books. She draws connections to Holocaust survivors sharing testimony, observing that this process preserves crucial historical perspectives. Lowry describes this as an "apostolic succession"—a generational process that strengthens the thread binding generations. The benefits flow both ways: elders build a legacy while young people gain connection, wisdom, and continuity.
From Letters to Daily Emails
Lowry's communication with young readers has evolved from formulaic monthly typed letters to dozens of daily emails. The instantaneous nature of email enables direct response and deeper conversations, sometimes spanning years. She notes one girl in Vermont who corresponded with her for years, eventually reconnecting decades later with children of her own reading Lowry's books. The Giver particularly bridges generations, with parents who read it as teens now revisiting it with their children, creating opportunities for shared reflection and parent-child communication.
Evolving Writing While Preserving Language Beauty
Despite changing technology and expectations, Lowry's approach to writing remains consistent. She affirms that writers of fiction always focus on the basics—characters, plot, and setting—elements she's relied on since publishing her first book in 1977. Lowry maintains her commitment to careful word selection and arrangement, reading her work aloud during revision and moving words "as if with tweezers" to achieve optimal beauty and fluency.
Adapting to Modern Readers
Lowry recognizes that modern children read differently, expecting faster plots and more immediate action due to technology's acceleration of attention spans. She adapts by increasing pacing and writing shorter books rather than lengthy 400-page novels. Despite these modern trends, Lowry never sacrifices her meticulous attention to "the cadence and fluency and the beauty of language and of words."
AI Anxieties
Lowry expresses deep reservations about AI's impact on literature. Inspired by Robert Frost's poem, she rewrote its opening to "some say the world will end in fire, others say AI," making clear she is "not a fan" of AI. For Lowry, AI's rise highlights the necessity of protecting the elements that make literature profoundly human—imagination, empathy, and authentic storytelling that no algorithm can replicate.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Lowry laments the decline of physical books in schools, some educators argue that digital resources and multimedia can also foster literacy, imagination, and empathy in new ways.
- The replacement of full-length books with excerpts is sometimes intended to expose students to a wider range of voices and genres, rather than to diminish literary engagement.
- The connection between reading literature and developing empathy, while supported by some studies, is debated; empathy can also be cultivated through other means such as personal relationships, community involvement, and non-literary art forms.
- The portrayal of a society without books as entirely bereft of imagination or empathy may overlook the resilience of human creativity, which can manifest through oral storytelling, visual arts, or other cultural practices even in restrictive environments.
- Concerns about AI's impact on literature are valid, but some argue that AI can also be a tool for creativity, collaboration, and accessibility, potentially enhancing rather than diminishing human storytelling.
- The focus on intergenerational relationships and the transmission of stories through elders, while valuable, may not reflect all cultural or familial structures, and young people can also be sources of innovation and wisdom.
- Adapting to modern readers' preferences for faster plots and shorter books does not necessarily mean a loss of literary quality; brevity and pacing can coexist with depth and beauty in writing.
Actionables
- you can set aside a weekly time to read a full-length book aloud with a family member or friend, then discuss how the story might change if key elements like music, pets, or art were missing
- This helps you experience firsthand how literature shapes imagination and empathy, and lets you notice what is lost when cultural elements are removed. For example, after reading a chapter, pause to imagine the world without music or pets and talk about how that would affect the characters’ lives and your own feelings.
- a practical way to strengthen intergenerational connections is to invite an older relative or neighbor to share a favorite childhood story, then retell it in your own words to a younger person
- This creates a living chain of storytelling, preserves personal history, and helps you practice empathy by stepping into someone else’s memories. For instance, after hearing a grandparent’s story, you might adapt it for a child, adding your own imaginative details while keeping the core message.
- you can keep a personal journal where you rewrite a short poem or story from memory, then compare your version to the original and reflect on what changed
- This exercise highlights the role of imagination and memory in storytelling, and helps you notice how your own perspective shapes meaning. For example, after reading a poem, close the book and write it out as you remember it, then look back and see which words or images you changed or forgot, and consider why those changes happened.
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Building 903's Dystopia and Lowry's Literary Concerns
2099 Features a Regime That Consolidates Power By Eliminating Books, Art, Music, and Other Cultural Elements
Building 903 is set in the year 2099, depicting a dystopian world under the control of a despotic ruler named Zulkirus. In this society, almost everything that defines culture and intellect—music, pets, art, and especially books—is banned. Zulkirus, who has manipulated the electoral system to maintain his autocratic rule for decades and has achieved an exceptionally long life, has restructured the world to his advantage. Although the people despise him, they lack any viable method to remove him from power. Over time, Zulkirus has erased avenues for dissent and intellectual freedom, enforcing generational deprivation of arts and literature.
Ruler Zulkirus Corrupted Elections, Maintaining Control For Decades By Stifling Intellectual Freedom and Artistic Expression
Lois Lowry explains that Zulkirus has fundamentally changed society through electoral corruption and decades of suppressing culture. By eliminating access to art, music, and books, he ensures that no challenges to his authority or independent thinking can emerge. The world he controls is characterized by "a lot of no's," with citizens deprived of creative outlets and intellectual engagement for generations.
Generational Absence of Books Leaves Young People Like Protagonist Tessa Without Exposure to Literature or Cultural Reference Points For Understanding Written Works
The absence of books has been so absolute that not only Tessa and her teenage peers but their parents as well have never experienced literature. This generational deprivation means young people have no cultural grounding or frame of reference for written works—the language, idioms, and images of books are foreign to them.
Tessa Finds Contraband Books Hidden by Her Neighbor Miriam and Struggles to Understand Them Due to Her Lack of Reading Skills
The novel follows Tessa, a 14-year-old girl whose twin brother Theo has gone missing. Her closest confidante is Miriam, her elderly neighbor. Before being sent away to a facility, Miriam hands Tessa a key to boxes of contraband she’d hidden, containing newspaper clippings, a catcher's mitt, and—crucially—books. Upon discovering the books, Tessa opens one with a brightly colored cover and tries to read: “One Sunday morning, the warm sun came up, and pop, out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar.” Tessa comments on the pretty colors but admits, “I don’t really understand what it’s talking about.” Her struggle reveals the depth of cultural and intellectual loss inflicted by the regime.
Lowry's Inspiration For Building 903: Fears About a Book-Free Society From Eroding Literature In Education
Lowry’s vision for Building 903 stems from real-world anxietie ...
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Building 903's Dystopia and Lowry's Literary Concerns
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While the novel presents a world where the absence of books leads to cultural and intellectual deprivation, some might argue that oral traditions, digital media, or other forms of storytelling could still foster creativity and critical thinking even in the absence of physical books.
- The depiction of schools replacing books with excerpts may not universally reflect educational trends; many schools continue to value and teach full-length works, and excerpts can also serve as effective teaching tools for introducing students to a variety of texts.
- The concern that literature is disappearing from society may be overstated, as new forms of literature and storytelling continue to emerge through technology, social media, and other platforms, potentially reaching wider audiences than traditional books.
- The idea that a lack of exposure to traditional literature inevitably leads to a loss of cultural her ...
Actionables
- you can set aside a weekly hour to read aloud with a friend or family member, taking turns with unfamiliar or challenging books to rebuild shared literary experiences and strengthen reading skills together, even if you both feel out of practice.
- a practical way to reconnect with cultural heritage is to keep a simple notebook where you jot down any new words, references, or ideas you encounter in books, then look them up and discuss them with someone else, helping to fill in cultural gaps and deepen understanding.
- you can create a persona ...
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Imagining and Empathizing In Human Connection Through Stories
Lois Lowry and others reflect on the profound role of literature in shaping human imagination, empathy, and connection. Through stories, readers gain insight into lives unlike their own, developing the capacity to relate to others and envision different worlds. The loss of literature, Lowry warns, risks undermining these essential human qualities.
Literature Cultivates Imagination, Enabling People to Explore Other Perspectives
Lowry describes how, as a child, books like The Yearling and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn profoundly expanded her horizons. These novels introduced her to gritty, difficult, and unfamiliar lives, granting her "the privilege, which I worry is being lost now," to enter the heart of another human being through reading. This ability to put oneself into another’s experience is fundamentally tied to the imagination literature develops.
Losing Fiction Imagination Reduces Empathy Capacity
Lowry explicitly connects imagination to empathy. She explains that when people lose the power to imagine themselves in the place of another—be it another human or even a caterpillar—they lose the capacity for empathy. This loss, she cautions, threatens to destroy humanity’s future if it is allowed to continue.
Eliminating Literature Undermines Empathy, Threatening Humanity's Future
Lowry emphasizes that eliminating literature, and thus the imaginative exploration it offers, is dangerous because it erodes society's ability to empathize. She suggests that fiction’s role in helping readers envision unfamiliar experiences is essential to sustaining empathy and, by extension, human civilization.
Tessa's Difficulty With the Very Hungry Caterpillar Illustrates how a Bookless Life Stifles Imagination Development
A vivid illustration from Lowry's work centers on Tessa, who, having never seen a book before, is both excited and confused when encountering The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Tessa’s inability to understand or connect with the story, compounded by having never seen a caterpillar or butterfly, exemplifies a life where so much of imagination has been lost. Lowry notes that what is really missing is the power of imagination—the skill to read fiction and truly envision what is being described. This, she asserts, is a profound loss.
Lowry Leaves Mysteries Unresolved In Building 903 to Inspire Reader Imaginatio ...
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Imagining and Empathizing In Human Connection Through Stories
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While literature can foster empathy and imagination, other forms of media—such as film, television, and interactive digital experiences—can also provide opportunities to explore different perspectives and develop empathy.
- Empathy and imagination can be cultivated through real-life experiences, social interactions, and education, not solely through reading fiction.
- Some individuals may develop strong empathy and imaginative skills without significant exposure to literature, suggesting that literature is not the only or even primary path to these qualities.
- The decline in reading literature does not necessarily equate to a decline in empathy or human connection, as people may find alternative ways to connect and understand others.
- The assertion that eliminating literature would threaten the future of humanity may be seen as an overstatement, given the adaptability of human societies and the presence of other cultural and artistic forms.
- Not all fiction or literature is equally e ...
Actionables
- you can keep a weekly imagination journal where you write a short scene or dialogue from the perspective of someone whose life is very different from yours, focusing on details you invent to fill in gaps about their world and feelings
- For example, imagine a day in the life of a street vendor in another country, or a child growing up in a remote village, and describe their thoughts, challenges, and joys as if you were them.
- a practical way to strengthen empathy is to pause during any story you read or hear (even news articles or anecdotes) and deliberately ask yourself what might be left unsaid or unexplained, then jot down your own ideas about those gaps
- For instance, if a character’s motivation isn’t clear, speculate about their backstory or emotional state, and consider how those possibilities might change your feelings toward them.
- you can swap favorite sto ...
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Intergenerational Relationships in Lowry's Work
Lois Lowry’s literary career is deeply rooted in exploring relationships between the very young and the very old, both through her storytelling and her personal experiences.
Young-Old Character Relationship in Lowry's Career
From the outset of her writing, Lowry has highlighted the significance of connections between young and elderly characters. In her very first book, which was semi-autobiographical and inspired by the death of her sister, Lowry fabricated an elderly neighbor character for her youthful protagonist—a relationship she did not have in real life, but which she recognized as narratively important. This intentional inclusion set a pattern for her future work.
Books like "The Giver" and "Tree Table Book" further exemplify this theme. "Tree Table Book" centers entirely on the relationship between an 11-year-old girl and her 89-year-old neighbor, subtly emphasizing the value of intergenerational bonds. Lowry’s reading as a child also reinforced this motif; she recalls "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and how it introduced her to protagonists her own age connected to different ways of life and different generations.
As Lowry herself aged, these intergenerational relationships became even more important in her life. Building close relationships with her grandchildren made her increasingly aware of the significance and complexity of the young-old dynamic—a realization reflected more consciously in her later work.
Elders Sharing Stories With Youth Benefits Both and Preserves History
Lowry often illustrates the process of elders sharing their stories with the young, finding it a recurring element across her books. She draws connections to Holocaust studies, observing that as survivors age, sharing their testimony with younger generations preserves crucial historical perspectives and creates a generational record, passing down knowledge and understanding.
From a personal standpoint, Lowry feels the regret of not having asked her parents important questions while they were alive. She thus tries to share her own stories with her children and grandchildren, hoping they will appreciate them later. Lowry describes this as an "apostolic succession"—a generational process that strengthens the thread binding one generation to the next.
The benefits flow both ways. From the elder’s perspective, telling stories builds a legacy and ensures a part of themselves continues onward. For young people, these relationships foster connection, wisdom (even if jestingly dismissed by grandchildren), and most importantly, continuity—providing a sense of belonging in a chain that stretches across generations.
Lowry's Communication Shift: From Monthly Typed Letters to Daily Emails
As the world of communication evolved, so did Lowry’s interactions with her young readers. In the early days, she received fan mail that was formulaic and often the product of classroom assignments, meticulously checked by teachers.
Now, digital communication allows immediacy and intimacy. Lowry receives dozens of emails from young readers daily, who can be candid and passionate—sometimes even ...
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Intergenerational Relationships in Lowry's Work
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Lowry’s focus on intergenerational relationships is notable, some critics might argue that her portrayal of these dynamics can be idealized or simplified, not always reflecting the complexities or conflicts that can exist between generations in real life.
- The emphasis on elders sharing stories as a primary means of preserving history may overlook the importance of other forms of historical record-keeping and the role of collective, community-based memory.
- Not all readers may find intergenerational relationships as central or resonant in Lowry’s works, instead connecting more with other themes such as individuality, conformity, or dystopian elements, especially in "The Giver."
- The positive framing of digital communication with young readers may not account for the challenges of online interactions, such as misunderstandings, lack of depth, or the impersonal nature of email compared to face-to-face conversations.
- The idea that Lowry’s books universally foster intergenerational literary experiences may not hold true for all families, as reading habits and parental involvement vary widely across different cultures and hou ...
Actionables
- you can start a family or friend “question swap” where each person writes down one question they wish they’d asked an older or younger relative, then everyone draws a question to ask someone from a different generation, sparking new conversations and shared stories that might otherwise go unspoken.
- a practical way to deepen intergenerational bonds is to set up a recurring “story relay” where each week, a younger and older person take turns sharing a short personal story (written, audio, or video) on a shared digital document or group chat, gradually building a collaborative family or community archive.
- you can create a “shared readin ...
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Lowry's Evolving Writing: Embracing Technology, Preserving Language Beauty and Cadence
Lois Lowry’s writing career reflects both adaptation to changing times and a steadfast dedication to linguistic beauty. She continues to embrace the essentials of fiction while accommodating new generational expectations and expressing concern over the influence of artificial intelligence on literature.
Despite Evolving Technology, Expectations, and Communication, Lowry's Writing Approach Remains Consistent
Lowry affirms that no matter how technology or expectations change, her approach to writing is fundamentally unchanged. She states that writers of fiction always focus on the basics—characters, plot, and setting—a tradition she follows since she began publishing in 1977. For Lowry, these elements form the backbone of storytelling, learned and honed over the years.
Elements of Fiction: Characters, Plot, and Setting In Lowry's Storytelling, 1977–Building 903
Even as modes of communication and technology evolve, Lowry consistently relies on these fundamental storytelling pillars. From her first book in 1977, she builds her narratives around these core elements.
Lowry's Career Focus on Word Selection and Arrangement
Lowry maintains her long-held commitment to the careful selection and arrangement of words. She pays as much attention now as she did at the start of her career to the cadence, fluency, and beauty of language. The meticulous placement of words and the artistry of sentences remain central to her writing process.
Revising: Reading Aloud and Word Rearrangement for Linguistic Beauty and Effectiveness
Lowry’s revision process centers on the musicality and effectiveness of language. After completing a draft, she reads her work aloud, moving words as if with tweezers to achieve optimal beauty and fluency. She admits that, despite these efforts, she often wishes she could improve her work further, but the commitment to linguistic excellence is a constant.
Lowry Adapted Her Style to Accommodate Children's Reading Habits By Increasing Pacing and Reducing Book Length
Lowry recognizes that modern children read differently from previous generations, largely due to technology’s acceleration of attention spans. She acknowledges that kids now expect faster plots and more immediate action, as influenced by the digital pace of contemporary life.
Modern Children Expect Faster Plots and Rapid Action, Reflecting Technology's Acceleration of Cognitive Expectations and Attention
She adapts by increasing the pacing in her narratives, ensuring plots move quickly and keep young readers engaged. Lowry notes that she must be “more speedy with plot” so that children’s quick mental pace is satisfied and the pages turn swiftly.
Lowry Abandons 400-page Novels For Shorter Books Appealing To Children
In response to changing reader preferences, Lowry now avoids lengthy 400-page novels, choosing instead to write shorter books that better fit children’s tastes and attention spans.
Despite Modern Trends, Lowry Maintains Her Meticulous Language Artistry and Quality
However, despite embracing these trends, Lowry never sacrifices her meticulous attention to the beauty and quality of language. She emphasizes that, even with shorter and faster-paced book ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Lowry's Evolving Writing: Embracing Technology, Preserving Language Beauty and Cadence
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Lowry maintains a consistent approach to writing, some critics argue that rigid adherence to traditional elements may limit innovation or experimentation in storytelling.
- The prioritization of linguistic beauty and cadence, though admirable, may not always align with the preferences of all readers, especially those who value accessibility or straightforward prose.
- The process of meticulous revision and focus on musicality could be seen as time-consuming or unnecessary by writers who prioritize plot or ideas over style.
- Adapting to shorter formats and faster pacing might risk oversimplifying complex themes or reducing opportunities for deep character development.
- The assertion that modern children universally prefer faster plots and shorter books may overlook the diversity of young readers, some of whom still enjoy longer, more contemplative works.
- Avoiding lengthy novels could inadvertently exclude readers who seek immersive, expansive narratives.
- Concerns about AI threatening human creativity may underestimate the potential for AI to serve as a tool that enhances, rather than replaces, human storytelling.
- T ...
Actionables
- you can practice crafting short stories or scenes using only a set number of sentences to train yourself to focus on essential characters, plot, and setting while keeping pacing brisk and language intentional; for example, challenge yourself to write a complete story in six sentences, then read it aloud and swap out words to improve rhythm and clarity.
- a practical way to preserve your unique storytelling voice is to keep a daily journal where you describe ordinary events using vivid, precise language and experiment with rearranging sentences for musicality, helping you develop a personal style that feels authentic and human.
- you can st ...
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