Book Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Publisher: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Copyright Date: 1993
Selection Choice: Newbery Award Winner
Brief Annotation: Imagine living in a world where there is no pain, no fear, no crime and no suffering. All the issues that society currently faces no longer exist. Jonas is a twelve-year-old boy who lives in a futuristic society that has found a way to eliminate all these unpleasant things. The community values sameness as a whole, but in each child's twelfth year their differences in character are finally recognized when they are assigned their future careers. Most of the children know what they will become. Some will be doctors, others will be nurturers, laborers and birthers, but Jonas has no idea what the future holds for him. On the day of the assignment ceremony, he learns that he has been chosen by the community of elders to take the place of the giver, who is the sole keeper of all the memories from a time before the sameness. He soon learns that knowledge is power and once he learns the truth, he must choose what his future holds.
Your Rating: 5/5
Readers who will like this book: Readers who enjoy science fiction, dystopian fiction and exploring social issues will like this book.
Questions to ask before reading: Would you like to live in a society where there was no crime, no fear, no pain and no suffering? How could that type of society be achieved?
Questions to ask during reading: How do you feel about the social issue of euthanasia? Why do you feel this way?
Questions to ask after reading: How do you feel about Jonas' community? Is it Utopian or Dystopian? Why do you feel this way?
Did you think The Giver had similar themes as in The Hunger Games? One indelible image from this book, in my mind, is the 8 year olds who have to button each others clothes, because all the buttons are on the back, to teach cooperation. What an interesting idea--Lois Lowry is such a wonderful thinker and writer. If you liked this book, you might want to read Gooney Bird Greene as your "series" choice. It's also by Lowry and Gooney is a character to remember. I often assign that book in this class--it's not to be missed.
ReplyDeleteWill you remember with future posts to add "selection choice" to your information? Just indicate which of the categories from our list you were fulfilling with the book you're documenting. Thanks.