The Giver
by
Lois Lowry
1993
179pp
Newbery Medal
Rating: 4.5
I really, really liked this book. It is another “Big Brother” story similar to Fahrenheit 451 or 1984. Scary, scary.
Jonas is eleven years old. When he is twelve, he will receive his “assignment” or job from the Elders of his community. Everything is decided by the Elders. Who marries whom. Which occupation you will have. Which children you will raise. And even who has to be “released” from the community. When Jonas is selected for a special position that only one other person in the community has, it is considered a very high honor. What Jonas discovers about this “honor” changes his life completely.
I read this for the Banned Book Challenge. I’m not sure why it would be contested. Perhaps because there is some talk about the “stirrings” of beginning s* x u ality in Jonas. I didn’t have a problem with this, but I’m really glad I read it before I gave it to my 13 and 12 year old sons to read. This book will make for a great discussion.
Also reviewed by
- Lisa – March 31, 2007
- I’ve never read this either but have always been interested. I just finished Fahrenheit 451 last night, and wow.
- Amanda – March 31, 2007
- I love this book! It is a fantastic read and people always have different ideas of what actually happened at the end.
- booklogged – March 31, 2007
- This is one of my favorite books. Like you I wondered why it had been banned. I found the following site that lists some reasons:
http://www.northern.edu/hastingw/Giver.htmlLowry didn’t write a sequel, but she did write 2 companion novels: Gathering Blue and Messenger. Of these, Messenger is the best, but I think you need to read all 3 for full appreciation. - Les – April 3, 2007
- I read this 5 or 6 years ago and absolutely loved it. Gave it a perfect 10, as I recall. Definitely time for a re-read!
I agree…a great discussion book. I read it long ago, but still vividly remember parts of it.
I just wanted to let you know that I tagged you for the Thinking Blogger Award. Keep up the great work, I love your blog!
I loved this book too! The part that impacted me the most was the way the community took feelings away from people. There was no such thing as pain, but as a result there was also no such thing and joy/happiness, etc.
You might want to check out the companions to this book: Gathering Blue and Messenger.
i liked this book i think it could have been a bit better. i think that it should be made into a movie,then it would be a lot easier to picture,i give this book a three star
I didn’t have to much interest in this book. Maybe it was because its not my genre. There were some exciting parts but for the most part I wasnt sure of it. Once I’d start reading I would want to just put the book down. We were reading this book as a class. But some people enjoyed it but others for the most part didnt enjoy it. It was a okay book. period.
Hi…I’m here from Weekly Geeks. This is one of my favorite children’s books for so many reasons. You can find my review here.
hi, I love love love this book.
you can read my review here:http://wellreadchild.blogspot.com/2008/04/giver-by-lois-lowry.html
Thia book was so amzing and i loved it it had some sad and happy parts it really expressed tier fealings and how their community worked but if i had that kind of community where i had no fealing then that would be so bad….only the giver and the reciver had fealings…..and at the end did thy make it or not…they just leave you hangin a little!!! This book did deserve the newberry award!! i strongly courage everyone to read this amaxing wonderful book!!
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