Rating: 
Summary: Eloquent and enjoyable.
Review: What an incredibly well organized book! Every thought about how the futuristic society exists and operates has been meticulously figured out and recorded by the author, Lois Lowry. There is not a word out of place in this novel. When younger, I often got this book mixed up with the similarly titled, "The Cay". An unfortunate mix-up when you consider that Theodore Taylor's "The Cay" is regarded by many to be a badly written pompous book. This book, however, is lovely. An easy read, it sets up all its ideas perfectly before knocking them down. The reader is placed in a position not too different from that of Jonas, the protagonist. What Jonas learns to feel about his community, we readers learn to feel the same things at the same time. Lowry is especially skilled at the slow reveal. We do not know that the citizens of this world do not distinguish height or sunlight or snow or color until Jonas learns about each of these things in turn. And the book is especially interesting when you consider that there aren't any villains beyond the system itself. This is a laudable book and a good didactic (without being preachy) tale. This would pair well with other dystopian futures, such as "A Wrinkle In Time" (remember the world where "It" lives and the children must bounce the ball all the same way?). I disagree with those readers who feel this book is inappropriate for younger readers. While the open ended ending will probably disappoint or anger some, kids will enjoy the writing for what it is. Eloquent and enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: A young adult masterpiece
Review: I picked this book up to see if it would be appropriate for my precocious nine-year-old, and was blown away by Lowry's daring plot and wonderful prose. The book takes on themes that are incredibly sophisticated and examines them in ways that even a bonehead like me can wrap his mind around. Every bit as daring as 1984 and Brave New World, Lowry forces us to look very closely at what it is that makes us human, and what the costs and benefits of conformity really are. The conclusion of the book is--I hate to overuse the word, but it's the only one that fits--daring, forcing the reader to decide for him or herself just what has happened. Either way, the moment is transformative.
Beautiful as this book is, it ISN'T appropriate for my nine-year old. Not because of the very mild and beautifully drawn budding sexuality of the protagonist, Jonas. Rather, the themes are deep and disturbing enough--and the ending open-ended enough--that I don't think a preteen would be able to take it all in. But for a teenager--or an adult--I think it is a wonderful, provocative read.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome book to read
Review: This book is awesome to read when you are bored or when you just feel like reading. I really enjoyed this book because it talks about how the future society isnt perfect even though they try to perfect it and how feeling of pain and sufferage needs to be there even though they block it. Great book to read, you should definately get it.
Rating:
Summary: The Giver gives all!!!!!
Review: This book is very wonderfully written and enchanting. When I first started to read it I couldn't put it down. The author has a great imagination and can really relate to someone or somthing that can be hard to. I recommend this book to everyone (including adults) Its soooo good I reread it over and over again! This would be a great Christmas or b-day gift for any age.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book for Middle Schoolers and Adults!
Review: This book is amazing. The main character, Jonas is faced with some very important decisions to make. His experience mirrors that which many young people go through. Though his experience and world is fictional, he has to make very real decisions based on exposure to the truths and harsh realities that life can bring. For Lowry's treatment of that issue alone, I think that "The Giver" is worth picking up for ANYone!!!
Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: Louis Lowry's The Giver is such a classic literary piece that i hardly find it fitting to write a review for it. This book is so thought provoking and magnificent that one you read it you will love it. I'm not sure what else to say about it, for if you havent already read it you are for sure missing out on a book that WILL make you think and let me say that it is a book that, although comprehinsive to younger people and teens, anyone, anyage will be able to read THe GIver without feeling like they're reading a book that belongs to their child. Amazing book, you will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Soul searching and enlightening!
Review: When I began reading this book, I wasn't sure what to think. By the fourth chapter, I couldn't put it down. Jonas and The Giver force us to think about the role diversity, feelings, and humanity bring to our world. Your heart will lead you to an ending that will change the way you think about the world we live in!
Rating:
Summary: The GIver
Review: This book is about a boy named Jonas. He lives in a world that's black and white and where no pain ever reached them. When Jonas turns tweleve, he's been given the job as a recivever. The reciever holds all the memories of how life was before. Jonas goes through all this pain, like getting sunburn, poverty, prejudice, ect. Jonas wants the whole world to know how life was before, so he goes on a journey. Will he survive read to find out. This is such a great book. I would recomend it to everone. It's not a very long book, but it shows alot of emotions. I'm glad that my teacher Mrs. Ronning got me more interested in reading. This book really shows you how hard work and dedication will bring you wonders. Even though Jonas had to sacrifice some things for his journey, he has done it for a very good cause. A.V
Rating: 
Summary: 'The Giver' Inappropriate for less than 8th grade
Review: When Jonas at age 12 receives the assignment of 'Receiver of memories' he learns more about his society of sameness than he cares to. As a Teacher I found this book troubling that schools would sanction the reading of 'The Giver' for anything less than 8th grade. The book talks about 'releasing' people and if you have the misfortune of reading it, as you can guess, it equates to euthanasia. I read it before my son's 6th grade class completed the book due to a newspaper article I had read 3 years ago.
My son has had nightmares ever since. He does not understand why someone would write a book like this. Although there are some redeeming qualities about 'sameness' this is a book I would not recommend in any capacity.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book ever
Review: This is probaly the best book I have ever read. Lois Lowry did a great job on this book. It is a story of a boy named Jonas who lives in a totalitarianism community, or a perfect community. They are given Assignments for their jobs and he becomes the reciever of memories when he is twelve. This is the most honored, important, and painful Assignment there is. Read more of The Giver to see how good this book really is.
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