Intended Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Dystopian
Notes for Parents: Some references to suffering.
The Inside Cover
Jonas’s world is perfect. Everything is under control.
There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned
a role in the Community.When Jonas turns twelve he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it’s time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.
What the cover
doesn’t tell you:
The
Giver won the John Newbery Medal for most distinguished contribution to
American Literature for Children in 1994. This is the first in a series of four
companion novels.
What’s good?
A
slow but steady pace reveals a fascinating community of well-drawn characters. The
story is an impressive, easy-to-understand interpretation of some very complex
philosophies. Powerful images and disturbing practices simplify the cost of
creating a community with no conflict or suffering. The title character is a
typical, likeable boy who easily accepts the beliefs of his elders until his ignorance
is challenged by new knowledge shared with him by The Giver. Best Part: Gabriel
What isn’t good?
Perhaps
an overly simplistic explanation is given as to why the community is as it is
and no explanation is offered as to how it came to be that way. Some suspension
of disbelief is required to explain the community’s acceptance of some of its
more horrific customs.Worst part: None.
Recommendation þþþþo
A
fascinating look at what a community has to give up in order to avoid suffering
and live what it believes to be an ideal life. The plot moves fairly slow and
there isn’t a lot of action, but the truths that are gradually revealed are
fascinating. Definitely recommended.
Lowry, Lois. The Giver. New York: Laurel-Leaf Books, 1993.
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