Rating: 
Summary: Nine years later and still excellent!
Review: Can it really be nine years since I first read The Giver? Even now this book still resounds with me. Some of it has to do with the very open-endedness that has so unnerved some revieweres. The reader begins with fascination at the perfectly-ordered community, which transforms into revulsion. This is a book that rather than simply presenting straightforward answers, is more an invitation to introspection and debate. Take one single scene, for instance--the one where Jonas' father "releases" the newborn twin. It is clear that he's bothered by that side of his job--he even makes somewhat of an effort to try and spare Gabriel that same fate, yet he does nothing to stop the release of the twin. Even when it is Gabriel's term, he relents to the will of the community. But in his society, would it even have been possible for him to develop a rebellious mindset, after having been controlled to a degree not even the Communists could accomplish? This makes one wonder--is Jonas' father a good man in spite of what his society has indoctrinated him to do? Aristotle suggested that a person who lived in an eternal coma (which the state of Sameness could be considered) could not be virtuous, because his or her virtue has never been tested. So can there even be a such thing as a good or evil person in a society where there is no true freedom of thought or choice? I must admit, I find one reviewer's dismissal of the book simply because certain scenes such as the release of the newborn twin "did not agree with [their] beliefs" rather narrowminded--if not a demonstration of the very attitude that created the hell of Sameness. Is that scene repugnant? Absolutely, and that is the intention. The whole point of that scene is to show the horrible price society and the individual pay for conformity. I do not think children should be shielded from this reality. Although it leaves more questions than answers--this is not a bad thing. For instance, it seems that clouding the history of how such a Sameness was accomplished adds to the "timeless" sense of the novel. And many of the philosophical questions are well worth the mind-expanding debate. All in all, this is an excellent book I would even recommend to adults.
Rating:
Summary: a very good book
Review: I had to read this book in school and it was one of the few books that I actually enjoyed. Another job well done by Lois Lowry.
Rating:
Summary: Very Thought-provoking!
Review: STORY: As one of the editorial reviews so nicely put: "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 FEEDBACK
1) SETTING - The story takes place in a made-up utopian community that seems to exist in Earth's future at some point. The setting really is a huge part in understanding how this community has isolated itself through choices, in order to have the "utopian" society they have. It was very interesting and could be imagined thanks the the author's descriptions. 2) CHARACTERS - The character's play the parts they are assigned like the people in the community take the job they are assigned by the community leaders. There are no questions or variance from these roles because that is all the character knows. The character of Jonas is the one that breaks this mold and is the focus of the story. As he learns what his society is missing he grows as a character to be liked even though he isn't following the standards of practice that his peers are. His character becomes increasingly gripping especially in the last twenty or so pages of the book when he starts to act on his newfound knowledge in response to the contradictions he has been brought up with all tweleve years of his life. 3) STORY - At first I was reading this as the authors viewpoint of what a utopian society "should" be: Euthenasia, abortion, clothing is an nuscience, be intouch with your personal self, pills to control sexual desires, controlled and numbered births and marriages each year, etc. Then I came to realize that the society the author creates is not necessary her viewpoint but simply the concept created by the architects of that particlar community. Each community is a bit different depending on who configured them. But all in all, in order to live in a place without poverty, starvation and crime there are some major things each and every community gives up. This is the crux of the story and what really drives the climax and conclusion. OVERALL - I picked this book up because I heard that a famous scriptwriter was contracted to do the screenplay for this book. It is an easy read and less than 200 pages. The story leaves you thinking about it hours later. I could not read the last ten pages fast enough!! The story just built up to this phenominal climax and conclusion that had me ripping through the book to the next page because I had to find out what happens. I got this book at the library and now I have to own it so I can read it at least five more times.
Rating: 
Summary: The first Step in Teaching Children to Think
Review: Lois Lowery has done a remarkable job with this book. She has set up a perfect world where everybody has a place and there is no poverty. Everybody recieves an education and health care. there is no crime nor jealousy. The perfect world... or so it seems. Jonas, the protangonist, reaches the magic age of 12 where he is to be selected for his life's work. He is selected to be a reciever, the keeper of knowledge and feelings for the entire past. Jonas learns from his teacher, the giver, that everything is the same without change, ever. The reader finds out the community doesn't even see color or have true feelings. Throughout the book, Jonas learns of the terrible secrets of his training and the true cost to the society. He also learns why there is a reciever and why he is so imporant. Lois Lowery has shown the flip side of utopia. If all of the bad is removed and most of the good is also removed, what is left? An empty space. This is great place to start children thinking about what they think of utopia and then explain what they think utopia is may not be what they really want. This is very good book and I reccommend it.
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Summary: one of the best
Review: this book is set in a futeristic land, where everyone is the same. you are asigned jobs, spouses, and children; a boy and a girl.this book illistrates the necessity of choices.
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Summary: A modern children's version of 1984...
Review: With her masterpiece "The Giver", Lois Lowry creates a riveting tale about a nightmarish world. The central character is a young boy named Jonas. In his world, there is no war or fear or pain or color of any sort. Upon reaching a certain age, each person is assigned a role or a duty in the community. The role Jonas is assigned requires that he receive special training from "the giver". The Giver is the only member of the community who contains memories of true pain and pleasure, and he must pass them on to Jonas... Although it may seem cliched, a rip-off of so many sci-fi stories of dystopian worlds, "The Giver" separates itself from the pack. This is a book that transcends generations of readers, so that grandparent and grandchild alike can find enjoyment in its pages. And perhaps along the way we will learn something about the joys of life and individuality. Highly recommended. Britt Gillette
Author of "Conquest of Paradise"
Rating: 
Summary: Somethings are better left unsaid
Review: I gave this book a one because some of the ideals in the book are different from my personal beliefs, for instance when the newborn twins were weighed and one was killed because weight was less.
Rating:
Summary: The Giver
Review: Jonas started off as being an eleven year old boy in a community where there are no colours, feelings or thoughts about sexuality. Jonas is nervous about the Ceremony, where he will become a Twelve, and, consequently, be assigned the role he will play in his community. Jonas does not know what he will be chosen to do. Will the Chief Elder make him become a Recreation Director or maybe a Nurturer, like his father? However, he is suddenly assigned the role of Receiver of Memory. The present Receiver of Memory, called The Giver, is getting old and it is his duty to transmit all of his memories of the past to the new Receiver before The Giver is released. Through the lessons of The Giver, Jonas learns about warmth, tranquility, serenity and love. However, The Giver must also give Jonas memories of hunger, loneliness, war and death. After a startling discovery about what happens to the old and sickly newborns, Jonas prepares a plan with The Giver. But when Jonas's plan suddenly burns to ashes, he spontaneously decides to take matters into his own hands. What he does and his journey after his decision will surely startle readers' tremondously. The incertain future of Jonas will make readers' like me wonder whether there will actually be a light at the end of the tunnel for Jonas and whether Jonas's community will finally change and let people have their own feelings. The Giver is a beautiful story filled with morals that will make humans understand that pain is sometimes necessary in order for us to enjoy the happiness that comes afterwards.
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Summary: Lois Lowry is a genius
Review: The books that Lois Lowry writes and amazing. Especialy in this book, theme and symbolism are brought through in a way that a child can enjoy just as much as an adult. Our whole family read this book and had a discusion on its connections to the Bible as well as to idealism and the significance of difficulties. I recomend this book to any age group, and any perfered reading genra, this book covers them all. --If you like this, also try Lois's other book, Gathering Blue
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Summary: My 10th grade reading assignment
Review: I had to read this book for my summer reading assignment for the 10th grade at first when I heard the title I though what a boring book but then when i bought the book iand actually started to read it I though that it was acutally and awesome bok and I really became interested in it. When i was called down for dinner by my mom I was soo into the book that i forgot she told me that dinner was ready and i just kept on reading it.therefore before I knew it it was 10 o'clock in the night and i was in the middle of the story. I loved all the imagery and characters that they had it was an great adventure and i really enjoyed reading it. So for all those kids who had to read this book and though what a bummer it really is a great book for you to read and you'll love every second of it.
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