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The Giver
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The Giver
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The Giver
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The Giver

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this ebook

1994 Newbery Medal Winner

The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherClarion Books
Release dateApr 26, 1993
ISBN9780547345901
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The Giver
Author

Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry is the author of more than forty books for children and young adults, including the New York Times bestselling Giver Quartet and the popular Anastasia Krupnik series. She has received countless honors, among them the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Mark Twain Award. She received Newbery Medals for two of her novels, Number the Stars and The Giver.

Read more from Lois Lowry

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Reviews for The Giver

Rating: 4.186019240129218 out of 5 stars
4/5

11,144 ratings707 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Great book and great series! Really thought provoking.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Jonas lives in a perfect world. Family units are perfectly selected, no one has any worry, jobs are assigned, and no one thinks twice about it. That is, until Jonas is selected as the next receiver of memory. As Jonas takes on his roll as the receiver, he begins to question his society. Maybe it is not as perfect as one would think. Troubled by this fact, Jonas decides to change society. This novel is my absolute favorite. Teachers can do so many things with this novel from an author study to comparing and contrasting other dystopian societies. Students could also think about what they would do if they were in Jonas' situation. Since this book has been adapted to a film version, students could also compare and contrast the movie and the book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is about a community who give up memories that one person keeps for them because the people might not be able to handle them. The Giver is getting old so he must give all the memories to a new person who must keep them for everyone. They don't remember color, sun, pain, courage and many other memories. They are very vanilla people. Jobs, spouses and children are selected for them. Twins born? The heaviest is kept and the other is "released" which everyone thinks they go somewhere else. I saw the movie first and it is a lot like the book yet quite different. The movie is heavier on the friends and the book is about the Giver and the Receiver. It's a very interesting concept. It's sad that people would be happy with such a bland life and controlled life. Love Ron Rifkin reading the book. One of my favorite actors.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    [Cross-posted to Knite Writes]I’m not really sure how much I can say about this children’s classic that people haven’t already heard. Obviously, it’s a pretty clear origin point for many, many later dystopian stories, and its themes are fairly similar to much of today’s dystopian fare. Jonas is a young, impressionable, and hopeful protagonist who quickly grows disillusioned with his society when some ugly truths come to light. The social structure consists of the familiar few, older authority figures who control people through constant, 1984-style observation and rigorous, lifelong conditioning.There’s nothing much in this book that would surprise any reader today, given how popular dystopian has become in the last few years. But I can see how it would have been fairly groundbreaking children’s literature way back in 1993 (when I was, believe it or not, one year old).Really, I can’t complain about anything in this book, although I will admit I didn’t find it that spectacular. The writing style didn’t really grip me, the characters weren’t that interesting (although they weren’t too boring), and the plot was fairly simplistic despite the somewhat heavy-handed thematic overtones.In other words, it was a children’s book through and through. Not something I usually pick up. Not something I would have picked up had it not been hailed as a classic.There isn’t anything wrong with it, per say, given what is is: a didactic children’s story that teaches an important lesson about the nature of sacrifice and the human experience.So I’m firmly on the middle ground with this one. It’s all right, but it’s not something I found particularly compelling or ingenious.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The premise: ganked from Amazon.com: In a world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community's Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. With echoes of Brave New World, in this 1994 Newbery Medal winner, Lowry examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable society. Gradually Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be, and boldly decides he cannot pay the price. My RatingMust Have: fans of dystopia need to spare this book a look. It's short, sweet, and totally not a waste of time, and the elements of the dystopia are fascinating to examine and stew over. Yes, there's a touch of magical realism here, but the story of Jonas is touching and engaging, and worth reading no matter how old or young you are. The ending is poetically ambiguous, allowing the reader to decide for themselves what happens next, and lesser authors could not pull such an ending off. Lois Lowry, however, is not a lesser author, and it works wonderfully.Review style: For the love of everything pure and good, THERE BE SPOILERS!!! Seriously, I talk about pretty much everything important IN DETAIL, so if you want to stay pure, do NOT click the link below, which goes to the full review at my LJ. Because seriously, THERE BE SPOILERS. And not just this book, but two of Lowry's other books that make up this trilogy (yes, it's a trilogy. Did you know this? I sure didn't). At any rate, consider yourself warned. For those of you who don't care about spoilers or have read the book, feel free to click below for the full review (with spoilers). As always, comments and discussion are most welcome. :)REVIEW: Lois Lowry's THE GIVERHappy Reading!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Little BookwormJonas lives in his own Community, where people are assigned everything in their lives from wives to house to jobs, where emotions are dampened by a pill and food is always available, where everything is orderly and rules are to be obeyed without question. At the onset of the book, it seems like an ideal world and Jonas does not question it. Until at his 12th ceremony, he is named the new Receiver of Memories. Once he meets the old man, the Giver, he starts to learn of how things were before the Communities and how even a perfect world contains its own horrors.Amazingly I had never read this Newbery Award winner before. I genuinely liked it. There were parts that I found especially disturbing, like when Jonas finds out what it means to be "released" and the pills they start taking at the onset of puberty. Lowry creates a world here that shows that a "perfect" society comes at a price. I know this is an oft challenged/banned book but I don't think that I would have really understood certain things when I was younger. I think this is one of those books that you see differently as you grow up.I actually listened to this one and Ron Rifkin, the narrator, does an excellent job. He gives Jonas the perfect voice and creates tension when needed. The only thing about the audiobook was the little music accompaniments to the memories. I found those distracting.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Re-read this book after 10 years and still great!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book takes place in the future where everything is the same and memories of pain, music, love, fun, color, and hate are all being held in a person called "The Receiver" When Jonas turns 12 he is assigned the job of the receiver in which he is suppose to keep the memories of the past. The information he gains conflicts with everything that he thinks he knows. This is novel that will challenge readers to think beyond what they know and question why they do the things that they do. This is a book I would share with students who are in the eighth grade or older to talk about themes and symbols. This book is so well written that you will not want to put it down. Reading this book again has been a cherished experience.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Troubling book. How much would you give up for peace and security? Your ability to choose? Your memories? Your feelings? For a perfect world. Jonah's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war, no fear, no pain.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    About what could happen in the future as far as society or the world being controlled, stripped of choices.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This book might have impressed me if:(1) I hadn't come across the argument that this is "great science fiction", and(2) the author didn't argue with readers about the (obvious) outcome of the end.Basically, I should have read The Giver in childhood, before knowing that I see it differently than its existing fan. This book read to me as a giant metaphor for how marginalized people can see historic threads and layers to the world that's ignored in a mainstream culture.The perspective could have made me feel seen and understood the way my favorite childhood books did. Now I only think of arguments against the labels applied to it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Teen fiction that has become a classic - and also attracted derogatory criticism. I found it to be a good read, and usefully thought provoking.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was AMAZING. The society seems so perfect to those living within it but as Jonas started to receive more memories he found that it was completely flawed. I recently read anthem by Ayn Rand and I can see some connections to that book, I don't know if these books are connected to each other.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book takes place in the future where everything is the same, no colour, no pain, no snow etc. Memories of music, love, fun are all being held in a person called "The Receiver". Old people, those who do not follow the rules and babies with bad dispositions or twins are "released". Everyone seems happy, they live in family units of parents with 2 children, go to school, ride bikes and get assigned a job when they are older. They do not know any better. Jonas gets his adult assignment when he turns 12 like everyone else and he is chosen to be the new "Receiver". What Jonas learns turns the world as he knows it upside down. A quick read that I enjoyed and do not know why I never read it before. Now to see the movie.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I really liked hearing about the 'sameness' in this book, it reminded me a lot of a Stedford type story (which I guess would be a Utopia of sorts). I also really liked the description of the different ages receiving items/privileges as the grow up. I feel that the whole 12 years old and getting a job thing was a little unrealistic. They made them seem much more mature for 12 year-old kids. I did like that it had a nice depth to it without being pompous or ridiculous. I didn't really get the whole no color thing. I know that they said it was because there was no sun, but if that means no color then Jonas wouldn't be able to see color either. I liked hearing about the different jobs and things, and the rules. The children rule reminded me a lot of China with it's restrictions. It wasn't the best book I've ever read but it wasn't bad. I own the second book in this series and I'll most likely read it (maybe not this month, but at some point). Overall I liked it, and might recommend it to certain people.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    So glad I re-read this. It's good as a kid, amazing as an adult. A practically perfect novel.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I first read The Giver in the summer before 8th grade as a school required reading. Most books I had to read for school were met with distain or disinterest from me, with few exceptions (I didn't like to be forced to read; I enjoyed the choice). The Giver was the exception to define all exceptions.

    I knew there had been times in the past—terrible times—when people had destroyed each other in haste, in fear, and had brought about their own destruction.
    The Writing and the Worldbuilding

    Lois Lowry is spectacular at giving deeper meanings to shorter books. She doesn't require all the pomp and circumstance to tell a meaningful, profound story. The Giver was told in such a way that made a strange and apathetic world seem almost good, almost necessary, while also championing a world more similar to our own. The ambiguity in that, the possibility to lean in either direction, in addition to the interpretive ending (though, not anymore, given the Quartet, I suppose), made for a thought-provoking novel with themes of choice, equality, peace, and apathy.

    The concept of transferring collective memories to another person, but only those perceptive enough (or with blue eyes, for that matter), yet still, seemingly, with our world's reality as a historical past, was somewhat far-fetched and not explained, but in this case, an explanation was not necessary, as the method of reaching sameness was not entirely explained either and the story was not lacking for it whatsoever, as it was consistent throughout.

    Of course they needed to care. It was the meaning of everything.
    The Characters

    Jonas: He is an excellent protagonist—relatable, perceptive, kind, passionate, and active. He did always what he believed was best, and he was a pleasure to read.

    Jonas' family: Jonas' parents and sister were particular interesting characters: his father and mother go along with the society as they always have, as Jonas himself had been content to do before being selected as the Receiver; while his sister still holds some passionate humanity in her, as she is still a child, but because she is still a child, she still is somewhat apathetic to the plight of others, her whole world revolving around herself, as children are. Jonas, being 12 for most of the book, straddled the boundary between the two, simultaneously adult and child.

    The Giver: He is kind and wise, but also fallible, human. He worries over his past mistakes, as well as humanity's.

    Conclusion

    This book was just as intriguing and deep as when I first read it, all those years ago, when I was around Jonas' age myself. Now that I am an adult (though I might not want to act like it), I find it especially important to understand the choices you must make as an individual, with an understanding of the past and past mistakes to guide you, knowing the weight of your decision. To celebrate differences and not reject change, because choices matter more than you can imagine. And wrong choices are there to teach you.

    We gained control of many things. But we had to let go of others.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Would be a standard dystopian tale with an appropriately poignant ending, except that the innocent peeling away at the veneer of the injured culture is a child.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The science-fiction and mystery aspects of this novel make it unique and one that can be extemely advantageous for older students who are grappling with ideas of dystopian society and emotion. The main character, Jonas, who lives in a utopian society that is free of fear of pain, has a life that is anything but "perfect," and soon students can begin to see the flaws in the lifestyle of the book characters. This is a great book for discussion and character analysis, in particular, since all the characters seem so sterile and devoid of emotion, and it prompts great discussion about independence, love, and friendship, and the integral part each play in modern society.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Jonas lives in a tightly controlled, perfect world, free of fear and pain in this spectacular Newbery Award winning novel. When Jonas reaches the age of twelve, he is chosen to receive special training from The Giver, the keeper of memories in this world. Readers will be stunned by the shocking truths of this seeming utopia. This instant classic evokes powerfully emotions as we travel with Jonas, making startling revelations of the truth of living without fear and pain. An introduction to dystopian worlds, this book is a perfect introduction to the Hunger Games series, the Uglies series, and more advanced material, such as 1984. Readers grade 6 and above would be able to appreciate the depth and layers of the story, preferably with an adult to discuss the themes.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is one of the best books that I have ever read. It's very much like Animal Farm in that it's a book meant for kids but it has something much deeper and darker beneath it's surface that only someone older would see.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    My children were a bit confused when I picked up The Giver and said that I wanted to read it. All three have read it for school, and not a one of them was really taken by it. My eldest felt that Jonas (which just happens to be his name as well) was underdeveloped and that the narrative was "flat". Now, this child happens to be a lover of Dostoevsky, and so I think I can see why he was less than enthralled with it. The twins, who just finished it for school, thought it was an "okay" story, but weren't overwhelmed with it. But, I had read the review of her most recent book, that "completes" the series, and really wanted to read it. Ergo, I have to read the other books! My take: a short, accessible tale, but that addresses a key psychological challenge -- what are we without unique experiences, without pain, and pleasure, and most fundamentally, without memory? I found Lowry's exploration of this question compelling. She sets us up as readers thinking that the life that is lived in this society is just normal, but the moral dilemmas that emerge in order to have a flat, "vanilla", existence are enough to make you sit up and reconsider how pain is necessary for joy. I plan to keep reading the books that follow, mostly to see how she explores other dimensions of our being that we simply take for granted.As to why the kids didn't like it - I'm not sure, but now I will spend some time talking with them about it, to see if I can figure it out!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Guys, THIS BOOK. I wish someone would have told me sooner. I wish I would have been forced to read it in school. Gah. It's just so beautiful and sad and thoughtful and just ALL THE THINGS. I just want to call up Lois Lowry and tell her how thankful I am for this book. Honestly, it's a life changer.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I truly enjoyed reading THE GIVER. It is a simple story about the keeper of memories, but Lois Lowry does an amazing job describing everything. The memories that The Giver shares with his Receiver and delicately woven into the story. These were my favorite parts.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I had to read this book for school and at first thought it was stupid. After a while, though I realized it was just different. It's an extraordinarily book. There's not another book out like it. It's won many prizes and the author (Lois Lowry) has written many other books that have won multiple prizes as well.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A classic dystopia tale, the reason why when I hear that word, my ears perk up and I have to read it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Not my favorite genre, but a good story.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a bit short and should have gone further, but I really enjoyed the story and engaged with the main character. Learning the truth and growing up has never been so well told. I can't wait to read the other stories in the quartet.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is a science fiction work. Jonas lives in a high-functioning orderly world, where memories, love, pain, death, and even color are unknown to its citizens. Only the man known as "The Receiver" has this knowledge. When Jonas is chosen to replace the Receiver, he is transferred the painful memories from centuries past. Jonas and the Receiver, also known as the Giver decide to also give the citizens the knowledge that has burdened them for so long. Jonas has to make the painful decision of leaving his family behind in order for everybody else to experience the real world, and the earth had music again. I would use this for middle readers, and introduce the idea of a "dystopia" to them. I would follow up with some creative writing or art projects.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    When Jonas turned twelve, he was given his “role” in his utopian type world. His job would be to hold all of the memories of his world, where people cannot feel love, happiness, sadness, or anger. Everything is taken care of and people are just there. As Jonas learns more about his new role and he gains the memories from “The Giver”, he realizes that when people are not up to standards then they are released, the equivalent of death. It is up to Jonas to return the feelings and memories of the world back to the people, but to do so, he must leave. The Giver helps him to escape and soon the memories are released. I like how this book gives the students an idea of what an utopean world would be like and how, though life can be sad and painful, it is also filled with love and happiness. We have to give a little to receive a lot.For the classroom, I would hang different colors of construction paper up on the wall and have kids write two or three words that first come to their mind when they see the color. Then I would yell switch and have students repeat the process until they have all had a try at each color. Black normally is negative feelings, yellow is positive, red is both, ect. Then the students will be asked why they think that in the book there is no color.