Author: Lois Lowry
Bibliographic Info:
Lowry, Lois. (1993). The
giver. Ember: New York.
Notes: This is a 2011 reprint of the work
Descriptive Summary:
Jonas lives in a well oiled society where differences fear to tread and where the job you will have for the rest of your life is given to you in the Ceremony of Twelve. When Jonas's name is finally called and he learns that he has been selected to receive a high honor. Jonas soon falls under the tutelage of The Giver to prepare him for the honor. Jonas is to receive the collective memories of the community and in doing so he experience feelings and emotions he had never previously encountered. He also uncovers the reasons for the homogenous society. The Giver and Jonas devise a plan to bring change to the community, but that change can only come about if Jonas leaves everything and everyone he knows behind.
Jonas lives in a well oiled society where differences fear to tread and where the job you will have for the rest of your life is given to you in the Ceremony of Twelve. When Jonas's name is finally called and he learns that he has been selected to receive a high honor. Jonas soon falls under the tutelage of The Giver to prepare him for the honor. Jonas is to receive the collective memories of the community and in doing so he experience feelings and emotions he had never previously encountered. He also uncovers the reasons for the homogenous society. The Giver and Jonas devise a plan to bring change to the community, but that change can only come about if Jonas leaves everything and everyone he knows behind.
Evaluative comments with rating:
5/5 TVs - a modern classic
Stories like this are always important for young adults, teens, and children. It's a great way for children to learn to question why things are the way they are and how a homogenous life can lead to stagnation. I'm not always big on stories like this simply because the characters usually only exist in order to serve a grander issue (and this novel is no exception), but when the writing is as rich and beautiful as Lowry's; it's easy to overlook. The Giver is a nice "big ideas" book that serves as a modern day parable. It's not bogged down by heavy sci-fi settings and because of that it's accessible to a wide array of readers. The ending isn't pedantic and it's a pleasant surprise that it's open ended. Lowry doesn't dumb anything down for her readers. Lois Lowry creates a nice literary touchstone for a new generation of readers and nurtures a healthy questioning attitude in them.
5/5 TVs - a modern classic
Stories like this are always important for young adults, teens, and children. It's a great way for children to learn to question why things are the way they are and how a homogenous life can lead to stagnation. I'm not always big on stories like this simply because the characters usually only exist in order to serve a grander issue (and this novel is no exception), but when the writing is as rich and beautiful as Lowry's; it's easy to overlook. The Giver is a nice "big ideas" book that serves as a modern day parable. It's not bogged down by heavy sci-fi settings and because of that it's accessible to a wide array of readers. The ending isn't pedantic and it's a pleasant surprise that it's open ended. Lowry doesn't dumb anything down for her readers. Lois Lowry creates a nice literary touchstone for a new generation of readers and nurtures a healthy questioning attitude in them.
Suggested Audience
(age range): 12-15
Readers’ advisory
notes:
Appeal factors: Haunting, serious, compelling, world-building, reflective, strong sense of place
Readalikes: Divergent - Veronica Roth, The Chrysalids - John Wyndham, Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury, Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry, Unwind - Neal Shusterman, Matched - Ally Condie
Booktalking hook:
Show clips from movies like the Village and the Hunger Games featuring similar societies that prize people knowing their place and role.
Reason for inclusion:
Recommendations by several blogs.
1994 Newberry Medal winner
Category: Controversial/Award-Winning/Science Fiction/Classic
