The Giver

Lowry, L. (1993). The Giver. New York: Laurel-Leaf Books.

Plot Description: Jonas lived in a futuristic community that was full of sameness but never knew of anything different until he was chosen to be the Receiver of Memory.  The moment that he received his first memory changed his life.  The memories given to him by The Giver made him realize how different and wonderful life could be.  He and The Giver devise a plan to give all the members of the community the memories, but it means that Jonas has to leave the community forever.  The plan has to be adjusted and Jonas is forced to leave in the middle of the night with the new child Gabriel in order to save his life.  Jonas travels for many long torturous days but finally makes it to Elsewhere.

Genre: Sci-Fi

Age Group: This book would be appropriate for grades 7-9.

Similar Books: Gathering Blue and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

Personal Thought: Although this book has won many awards it was one of the 100 most frequently challenged books from 1990-2000.

Subject/Themes: Rules, Government Control, Memories

Character Description: Jonas is a twelve year old boy who is given the job of The Receiver of Memory.

Lilly is an eight and is Jonas’ younger sister. 

The Giver is the previous Receiver of Memory.  He holds all the memories and slowly is transmitting them to Jonas

Gabriel is one of the new children.  He stays with the Jonas’ family at night because he is having trouble adjusting.  Jonas is also able to transmit memories to him.

Awards: Newberry Award 1994, William Allen White Award, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Bost Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, Regina Medal, Booklist Editors’ Choice, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Annotation: Can you image a world full of predictability where you have no choices, you see no colors or animals, and everything is the same?  This is what it is like for Jonas within his community but it’s not until he becomes the Receiver of Memory that he learns about all the things the world can offer.  Will he and The Giver be able to come up with a solution to help make changes within the community or will things stay the way they have always been?