Early on I came to realize something, and it came from the mail I received from kids. That is, kids at that pivotal age, 12, 13 or 14, they're still deeply affected by what they read, some are changed by what they read, books can change the way they feel about the world in general. I don't think that's true of adults as much.

I feel sorry for anyone who is in a place where he feels strange and stupid.

I think I've written 40 books, and none of them have been heavy on action. I'm an introspective person.

The community of the Giver had achieved at such great price. A community without danger or pain. But also, a community without music, color or art. And books.

I'm not terribly conversant with children's literature in general. I tend to read books for adults, being an adult.

The man that I named the Giver passed along to the boy knowledge, history, memories, color, pain, laughter, love, and truth. Every time you place a book in the hands of a child, you do the same thing. It is very risky. But each time a child opens a book, he pushes open the gate that separates him from Elsewhere. It gives him choices. It gives him freedom. Those are magnificent, wonderfully unsafe things. [from her Newberry Award acceptance speech]

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come.