Rating: 
Summary: This is about a town of people without choices or memories.
Review: My sister recommended this book to me, and I thought it would be an ordinary book. But I was extremely wrong. This is one of the best books I've ever read. It take place in a town where everything is assigned, there are hardly any choices. Also, the residents have no memories. Jonah, the new "Giver", is the only one who experiences memories. This book helps you appreciate life,every memory you have, and all the opportunities we have today. The fact you CAN have these memories and opportunities is wonderful. My great grandmother died and, to use a quote, "Memories are stars in the dark night of sorrow." Without them, I don't know how I would have gotten through it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not appropriate for children
Review: My sixth grade son read The Giver as an assignment so I also read it. The book is about a society in which each child's profession is chosen for him. Only one child at a time is trained as The Receiver, the only one who knows emotions. He receives that information from The Giver. The book contains visions of murder and suicide that I do not believe are appropriate for children this age. (It also gave me nightmares.) In particular, I object to a murder that is committed by a respected parent. I think that a child could and would think that parents cannot be trusted after reading this book. I also disagree with the book's depiction of child suicide and murder of the elderly. I think that so many children like the book because their teachers present the book in a positive way. Children expect that they will be assigned to read good books, not lousy books, and the teachers support that expectation. Speaking as a former teacher, I would never have assigned this book to my class. Speaking as a parent, I would never have encouraged my child to read this book. It is sick.
Rating: 
Summary: A Dissenter From the Acclaim Given This Book
Review: My son wouldn't finish this book. I did, but I didn't enjoy it at all. We're in a fantasy world (something I usually like), but one where the rules of the game are never really explained -- this means that incidents happen without, seemingly, making sense in the terms of the world we are plunged into. Also (and this is why my son wouldn't finish it) the book is depressing in a way I found not only cruel, but gratuitous. I have no problem letting my son read "The Yearling" or other books where the outcome is far from pleasant, but the ending of this one seemed nasty in a way that's acceptable perhaps because of the culture we live in. I felt a lesson was being pushed down my throat -- and I didn't like the lesson. I know the book won an award -- but it's not the only winner of the Newbery that may prove not to age well.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment compared to Lowry's-- Number The Stars
Review: My son's 6th grade teacher read The Giver to his class a few months ago. I am into children's literature of all types and I as his mother like to read what he is assigned in his class. I was very disappointed with The Giver. Number The Stars was absolutely 5 star fabulous. But, The Giver--- too adult for one. I especially didn't like the way Ms. Lowry degrades womanhood and motherhood in this book. To be called as a 'birthmother' in this book is to have a dishonored scum life. I already see enough in our society of the degradation of motherhood--- I don't want to read it in a book--- much less have my son exposed to such obsurdity. Also, the part in the book where all boys had to take a pill once the pubescent stirrings begin was a very 'out to lunch' kind of notion. I realize this is a fictional book. But, how about keeping books perfectly clean in all aspects? Number The Stars was clean and uplifting in all regards. Charles Dickens Great Expectations is about the best book I have ever read. Ms. Lowry has such a gift of writing. I'd like to see her keep to clean, uplifting, inspiring content. Good books are my escape of societal ills. The Giver reminded me of too much of our own social problems.
Rating:
Summary: How sad
Review: My step daughter had to read this book for school. How sad that we give medals to books that have no message other than that of a liberal perfect world. I found this book very depressing and not edifiying in any way. My wife and I read the book and can't believe that there isnt't a more positive book that the schools can promote. How sad.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: My thirteen year old son gave me this book to read, and I read it in one day. I loved it! I was surprised that it is classified as a young adult novel, when I personally think that adults or people of all ages can enjoy this book. Does anyone know if it was ever made into a movie? It should be. I think I would like to explore more of this author's work.
Rating:
Summary: Starts great, but loses its momentum
Review: My wife and I loved this book for the first 2/3, but then the plot lost its way and the characters went with it. I would still recommend reading the book, just borrow it from someone else!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Need a good book to sink your teeth into? Pick up this book and read it. Lois Lowry has so many great ideas for this awesome book. This book is an a great book for ages 9-12. I reccomend you to read this book. It is a quick read that fills your brain with questions. I have a few words for this read: fantastic and stunning.
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Rating:
Summary: boring and stupid
Review: Newberry Awards are most useful for telling a reader which books to avoid. This is an example of a 'book' that wins an award for appealing to literary intelligentsia rather than because it's a 'good read'. There's no sense of wonder, no sense of adventure, but everything is very *PC*. Go buy "White Fang" or "The Yearling"
Read something by Mercedes Lackey, R. A. Heinlein, H. Beam Piper or David Weber. But for goodness sake, please don't buy this book on the same principle of *not* feeding stray cats. It only encourages them to stick around and reproduce.
Rating:
Summary: Wow...
Review: Next term for school we have this rotation book system. Two weeks per book for 5 books. And we are in groups doing it. Anyway today was the last day of classes and we got the first book for te holidays. We had an hour 'reading time' in the library (as we do every friday p.7) and I began reading my first book. The Giver. I thought it would be boring like all school books, and it was. Until around p.50 it was really boring. And after that everything began to make sense. It isn't to p.50 that you understand that it is based in the future. Its basically bases in a 'perfect world' where everything is set out for you. The 'elders' decided everything for what is best. Everything is climate control medicine is perfect. Not much history. Its based around Joan (a guy) who is turning 12, so he become sin the group of '12'. At 12 your job is decided. Such as Doctor, Fisherman etc. The elders decide what is best (and close to never mess up) he gets given a mysterious job which he can break the rules and do amazing things. The book does not seem good but is a really good book so far. I am at p.100. Great for any animorph or remnant fan who is sick of KAA and wants a sci-fi furture perspective of a different more perfect non-alien pespective.
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