Rating: 
Summary: Appreciating Our Joy and Pain
Review: This is a truly wonderful depiction of mankind attemping to preserve only the "good" characteristics of life. Lowry clearly shows us the benefits of both worlds; in one world, suffering and happiness coexisted, in the other only "happiness" existed; in the former, life was sometimes unfulfilling and stressful, in this world, life is predetermined and stressfree. However, as Lowry expertly shows, if we let go of the "bad" things in life, the "good" things cease to have as much value. To Love without knowing what it is to Hate; to be Happy, without knowing what Sadness is; in some way the value of our emotions is lessened if we do not know what the opposite emotion feels like. Lowry helps us to see the many good things which exist in our world today...as well as the necessity of some "bad" things.
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Summary: A Potentially great novel gone wrong
Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry is just another example of a potential classic destroyed by lack of any interest whatsoever. Social-Science fiction writing is by no means Lowry's strength. She should have stuck with those Anastastia books I recall reading in the 2nd grade. Anyway, within the last four years or so I've grown an affection for those types of books that are all aimed at explaining "alternate universe/societies" that we should be glad we don't live in. For example, 1984 by George Orwell, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. If I had not previously read these, I probably would have liked The Giver a lot more. The problem was that Lowry left too many questions unanswered for the book's own good. Sure, with a story like this it's always good to leave some things open for you to consider, but Lowry led it to the point where parts of the book lacked continuity. Another thing that bothered me was how the Giver "gave" the memories into Jonas via telekinesis. That was somewhat understandable, but when it got to the point where Jonas saves Gabriel's life by giving him the memory of warmth. That crossed the line in my mind... plus all the other things thrown in to it... so, Ok, let me see if I've got this straight... no heat, no cold, no hills, no weather, no sex, no choices... and too much unanswered. There also appears to be a lot of confusion as to Jonas' world being considered by its citizens as the "perfect world" or the "ideal society". The problem with that of course is that how would the people know what a perfect world was? They know only their society and no others (with the exception of the Giver himself). However, most of what I just wrote could be cancelled out if Lowry just meant for The Giver to be just a quickly-read little novel for entertainment (it would have dragged on had it been any longer), and I agree it's a good lead-in to other books with the same idea. However, if Lowry meant to write a big, unsettling, revolutionary, thought-provoking book, she could have tried a lot harder. I'm pretty sure that she didn't, though. After reading The Giver I yearned to read something with more depth and theory... so I did. I went and picked up the first book of The Martian Chronicles, and I felt a little better. So to sum it all up, The Giver was a quick read (the chapters are short), and is probably a good book for a twelve year old to read if he/she has a lot of questions about society and what it could be (sixth-grade teachers, this means you!), or if he/she has an interest in social-science fiction. I have just been spoiled (or enriched) with books that do a lot of a better job explaining themselves. Whether or not you found my review helpful, I'm just glad you read what I had to say.
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Summary: Best Book ever
Review: I loved the book.It's great how the author describes the memorys extremly well.Its my absoulut favorite book. I recommend to grades 6 and up.She put alot of details in her words. Its good also that jonas has alot of expresion
Rating:
Summary: The Giver
Review: The Giver is a wonderful book to get children to think about the world in which we live and how it compares to the world in which Jonas lives.
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Summary: What The Giver gives to you
Review: This books allows students to imagine a world completely different from theirs without them being bogged down with lots of lingo that sometimes goes along science fiction. The characters realness is captivating, and the reader finds himself/herself turning the page with anticipation. While Jonah, the main character, and his friends live in a society very different from any students have encountered, the personalities of the characters are so appealing and believable that they will have no trouble relating to them. This book is excellent for middle grade students as an outside reading assignment or a classroom novel.
Rating: 
Summary: The Giver
Review: A great Book in which A boy in a socioty based on everything being the same finds out he is to be the next "receiver of memories" someone who bears memories so that the people are satisfied with what they have and don't want to be different.
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Summary: The Giver
Review: The Givers plot and characters pull you into the book, you find yourself unable to let go. The lives of the characters are so real you'll find yourself realting to them and thinking of what you would do in their situation. In my opinion I believe this is the best book ever written
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Summary: The Giver: a book to teach and to learn
Review: I picked up the Giver because I had been a long time fan of Lowry's other books and stories.I was intruigued by its well written timelessnes, exploring the workings of a society created to be pleasent for all who dwell within it. There is a cure for anything that ails: an answer for all problems; it has a social order that is balanced, with healing, and keeps everyone happy. Reading it as an adult, I was pleased to see that most of the words and ideas were for young adults and that words and concepts that may have been unfamiliar were definable from the context, or asked of an adult (I recommend parents read this book as well, your child will have questions). This book, especially if shared among a group, or even just a parent/child unit, will spark good discussions about serious life questions, which, in turn, will help promote emotional growth in the child(ren) and/or adults. Yes, I laughed, yes, I cried. It has a sadness and a joy permeating it, and will be a learning tool in my household for the next generations.
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Summary: Review of The Giver
Review: This is not typically the type of book that I would choose to read. I read it for a college assignment. I thought the book was very different. It had some unique qualities that kept it interesting. As a future teacher, I felt like it could be used as a great literature teaching tool. The characters were realistic but the setting and plot were not. I did not particurarly like the material or ideas the the book promoted but canot rule out some good literature qualities. This book is definently a book to read as an assignment and not for pleasure.
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Summary: The Giver
Review: The Giver is an excellent book that can introduce children to reading at a higher level of comprehension. It is a challenging and interesting story that will captivate and intrigue both children and adults. If you know a child who enjoys science fiction or one who just enjoys a facinating reading experience, The Giver would be an excellent choice.
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