A Reading Guide to the Giver (Scholastic Bookfiles)

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Summary: THE CONFLICT BETWEEN FANTASY AND REALITY
Review: Reading this novel makes you realize what a cruel,harsh planet we live on. Jonas never had to deal with pain or feelings. Everything so awful in our world was taken out of Jonas's, but everything was still missing from the lives of his community. Color,music,love,and even choices were lost. What we need to do is be thankful for the things we DO have instead of dwell on the things we don't. This is one of very few books where you don't need a sequel to know how the story ends.A REAL PAGE TURNER

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Summary: The Giver, despite definite merit, contains many flaws.
Review: Lois Lowry, an excellent writer best noted for her unforgettable Anastasia series and her Newberry Award winning Number the Stars, has created an interesting and original story in her account of Jonas, a unique twelve year old coming of age in a society that is not quite as utopian as his parents might have him believe. While Lowry's characters are both realistic and likeable and her plot intriguing, her ending leaves much to be desired as it is somewhat ambiguous. I read this book with the twelve year old student I tutor on two separate occasions, and though we both enjoyed the story, the uncertainty of its ending disturbed him and concerned me. Lowry appears to have been inspired by an idea pertinent to our technology dominated society, yet she hesitates in addressing the point she wishes to make fully. I do recommend the book on the basis of its many merits, but I suggest that it be read in the classroom or with a parent so that it might be discussed.

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Summary: The Giver is best book I've ever read!
Review: The Giver is an awesome story about the life of Jona. In it he is nevous about becoming a twelve and becoming an adult. He doesn't know what job he will be assigned in the community until the cerimony when he finds out he hasn't been asigned, but chosen, to be the new receiver of memories. Now Jona will learn horrible things about the past and about the previous recver of memories. He will also learn wonderful things about life before "the great sameness." This book will move you to see a society progress so far yet lose so much. This is the best book that I have ever read! --by Devon O'Leary, 8th grade, Sunny Brae Middle School

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Summary: this book was a real chiller
Review: this is an utterly cold novel about social acceptance and what it means to be socialy unacceptable

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Summary: Imagine a world where who you will be is decided for you.
Review: Imagine a world where there is no color and all your choices are made for you. Jonas lives in such a world. At the significant age of 12, Jonas' life is decided for him. He is to be the Giver. He will live apart from his family, with only the guidance of the Old Giver to help him. Nothing in his childhood has prepared him for the things he is about to experience. You will cry in pain with him; you will leap in ecstasy with him. This book is a can't-put-it-down thrill ride!

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Summary: A thought-provoking, disturbing, and unforgettable read.
Review: My first introduction to Lowry will definately cause me to seek her out again. A book assigned to my 13-year-old daughter, I picked it up and was provoked with the profound simplicity of her story. Jonas lives in a perfect, black-and-white utopian hell from which escape is impossible -- unless you're the Receiver who learns the terrible price of such perfect peace and harmony. Many a long and deep discussion with your children can come from reading this marvelous parable. There is one scene in the book, a very disturbing one, which, in the words of my daughter, "will blow you away."Highly recommended

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Summary: There is a reason for pain in this world.
Review: In The Giver, the world has been removed of all things that would cause grief or sadness in any way. As a result, all things which bring happiness are also removed. For example, motherhood is reduced to a science where parents are genetically picked. Then two children are given to each set of couples who needs children yet. Race and ethnicity are removed by removing color from the world. Memories cause pain as well, so they are removed from the people's minds. Pills are taken to supress sexual feelings. Everyone is happy. Or are they? This is a great read-aloud for the family on a long car trip. It makes for good discussions.

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Summary: A captivating look at an "ideal" society - MUST READ!
Review: If the cover, the awards and title don't catch your attention, you will quickly be hooked into discovering what "The Giver" represents. The story revolves around a young boy, Jonas, as he prepares to take the next step in a society designed to avoid the pain and discomfort of the "real" world. This book captivated our teenagers, along with our younger ten-year-old. Fewer books have caused me to think more reflectively about the philosophical intents of our society and the greater impact, limited insight can have on the future. Definately a MUST READ for both youth, ten and above, and adult. A great evening or weekend escape to enliven the mind.

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Summary: Distopia 101
Review: In a short story, Isaac Asimov creates a future where the profession of each individual is chosen by computer, and they are instantaneously educated for that role in life. It is slightly disturbing. In A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle shows us a world where "IT" controls the mind of every inhabitant; deprived of any individuality, they have perfect social harmony. Lying somewhere between the two, the distopic world of The Giver is utterly terrifying. We slowly come to realize the extent of the individuality that the people have relinquished; seeing color, hearing music, remembering or feeling emotion are too disturbing; those who will not fit in are selected out of society (in one horrifying scene, we become vividly aware of what this means for the socially unacceptable). Emotion, being too ingrained in the human species to simply breed out, is controlled by drug. There is no IT controlling the natural rhythm of life; there is the pretense of normality and family life, so our young protagonist slowly becomes aware of the depravity of his society. In the end, the message is clear: what we see, and feel, and touch in life is infinitely more valuable than a social "order" achieved by denying the richness and diversity of the individuals who make up that society. Although nominally a book for children, no adult with find The Giver juvenile

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Summary: A sci-fi book that is wonderful
Review: Jonas, a boy close to being twelve yearsold, is nervous.It's not that he doesn't want to learn what job he recives, it's just that he's nervous that he gets some stupid job that he doesn't want some stupid job that he doesn't want, like physical education assistant. Little does he know that he will get the most important job that can be given to any twelve. Once he is told that he will be the Reciever of Memories he will begin a long, painful journey that shows how scientists take away his peoples color and fun.