A Reading Guide to the Giver (Scholastic Bookfiles)

Rating:
Summary: Not Everything Can Be Perfect!
Review: I had to read this book for a school project and at first It seemed really stupid, but as I progressed throughout the book I began to really like it. It was really good until you got to the ending, it was what seemed like a waste. The ending was poor, but overall it was a pretty good book. I would recomend it to anyone in middle school.

Rating:
Summary: The Giver
Review: This book was a real thought provker. The futuristic society Lowry portrays has tons of rules and regulations that cripple the average persons imagination and lust for change. The story is excelent and the points brought up can really change one's preception on society.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Idea, Poorly Written
Review: The idea behind The Giver is clearly a unique perspective on things. It is the type of book where, you are placed in the middle of a totally different area, and you are left to figure out how it works. Gradually, you learn more and more, and things you thought were obviously true, weren't. However, there are some things in this book that are unacceptable. For instance, this society is very complex, and yet, there was still only one active plot throughout the entire book. There was not a single scene that did not contain the main character. This book has the potential to be alot more entertaining to read, if it were to have more subplots. Also, the book is very simply written when it comes to the grammar and choice of vocabulary, thus, you do not have to be "mature" to understand this book at all.

Rating:
Summary: One possible future
Review: My 12 yr old daughter was reading The Giver for her 6th grade book group and got annoyed when I borrowed it from her each night, finishing it in three, when she had to read it with her class, a chapter at a time. I loved this book, it reminded me much of Ira Levin's book This Perfect Day, which is also about a perfect society where someone questions it's structure and rules. Actually , I loved the idea that children were encouraged to try out career choices-we should all be able to do that ! My daughter and I both wished there had been one more chapter, so we could see what Jonas would do with his new knowledge of the real world beyond the fabricated one he's always known.

Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting, Keeps you reading!
Review: I really enjoyed this unique book. Jonas kept my attention throughout the book. I felt as though I was receiving the memories with him. Hooray for Jonas and his courage! A must read for junior readers.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing is ever Perfect
Review: Turning twleve in any normal world would just be another birthday, but in the novel The Giver, Jonas is about to experience the the biggest day of his life. Living in a perfect community with no pain, hunger, color, or differences between anything, Jonas is given his "Assignment" for the rest of his life. He is given the job that is highly respected in his community, the Reciever of Memory. As he recieves memories from an old man, known as The Giver, he begins to realize that his community is not so perfect and everything seems to be an act. He begins to feel out of place because he doesn't agree with the rules and assignments the community gives. But he can't leave his family and friends that he has been with his whole life. Or can he? He decides he has to do something and fast. As the novel ends it gets confusing and hard to understand. This novels is very similar to Brave New World, but in The Giver, author Lois Lowry just keeps you wondering, what if?

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I've read this book about 4 times and I find something new in it each time. I will say that it is a very different book, with some VERY unique perspectives, but it really makes you think about our world, and how we live. I first read this in Grade 4 and I understood most of it. I would say that it is for anyone over Grade 4, but you do have to be mature. There are some strong themes in the novel. Pick it up and think while you read. Compare our world to theirs. I think you'll like it! I know I did!

Rating:
Summary: Suspensful Plot and Awesome Theme
Review: In a community that is all the same lives Jonas, who discovers he is very different. Jonas is the main character in the book The Giver, my favorite book. I loved The Giver because the plot was very creative, the theme was magnificent, and the setting was vivid. I think you should read this book for many reasons. The theme of this book is clearly represented: freedom, the right to make your own choices, uniqueness, and individuality are worth dying for. In Jonas's community, a commitee selects one's job, war is unheard of, all people wear the same attire, and all are assigned spouses and families. When Jonas is given the special, wonder-filled occupation of becoming the Receiver of Memory, he finds that there is much more to life. Through his task of becoming the Receiver of Memory, he discovers the meaning of love, pain, frustration, color, and cold. That is when Jonas realizes how much more there really is. Life soon becomes overwhelmingly unbearable in his world of "sameness." He finds life isn't worth living without the qualities (often that we take for granted) he discovered. That is when Jonas goes on a dangerous journey to find a land that is different. The setting in this book made it quite a pleasure. Everything in the community was predictable and pre-planned. The housing units were all the same. There were designated spots for everything. The setting helped develop the plot and theme. The mysterious ending leaves one filled with curiousity and wonder. The book, The Giver, by Lois Lowry is guaranteed enjoyment, especially for someone who likes a good theme and plot that ties in with the setting. I loved the boook The Giver, and I truly believe that everybody should read it!

Rating:
Summary: Thoughtprovoking,disturbing,controversial,innappropriate...
Review: I must admit, this is one of my favorite novels. However, this should really not be for kids. If they were even able to understand it, there are some questionable material. Example: release, aka "putting to sleep";lack of trust in family, and this little dream that the main character has. However, for older kids, reading this book can be quite enjoyable. My friend and I each checked out a copy from the school library, read them, and then had a big debate. The book has many themes, most social comments. The society the characters live in is a perfected form of communism. There is also the argument between life/quality of life. The paradox is that mankind gained the latter by giving it up. The major theme that I picked up was opposition. By taking way sadness, can happiness be obtained? Yet no one in this society actually felt happiness, for they didn't know sadness. Many of the book's issues were quite controversial. I was reminded of the movie "the Matrix." When Jonas (the protaganist) learned the truth of his society, he could no longer be happy there. I read some of the reviews, and I agree with them, both bad and good. This book might be boring to those who do not analyze it, but then again, what you will find can be quite disturbing. My friend and I discussed the ending, and we do agree that the book ended, but again with a controversy. Could Jonas have also lived a happy life in this strange society? I highly recommend this to more mature people who will bother to study this, but I cannot guarentee you will like it.

Rating:
Summary: The Giver Reviewed
Review: In Jonas's community, everything is perfect. There is no pain, hunger, or crime. There are no choices to be made When you turn 12 you are given a role in the community for the rest of your life. when you become to old to live anymore, you are simply "relaeased" from the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is selected to become the Reciever of Memory, a highly respected role in his community. However when Jonas begins to recieve the memorys of the past from an old man, known as The Giver, Jonas realizes that his world is not as perfect as everyone thinks. Jonas can't live in this community anymore. But he can't leave his family and friends who he's known all his life, or can he? He must do something, and fast. I thought it was a great book and recomend highly recomend it.