The Giver

Rating:
Summary: I didn't like it that much cause i don't like reading
Review: Really most people would like this book, but personally I think the author didn't go into enough detail on how the society *It was a completely socialistic society* was created, how they made it so people couldn't see color, and other such things. It was creative, but not in very much detail, and I would recommend this to most people, but not to the one's like me who like to see how (In the writer's opinion) these things would be done. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful.
Review: Recently, I've been reading thick and complicated books, and I was upset when I had to read The Giver in my 8th Grade reading class. Somehow, I willed myself to pick it up and read it. I was pleasantly surprised! This is the beginning book to all the great novels about alternative governments such as 1984, Animal Farm, and Brave New World. It all begins with a boy named Jonas who is the average, polite boy of his community. In this community, when a child turns 12 (often called a Twelve), he is given a life-long job that he must fulfill until he reaches the House of the Old (otherwise known as a nursing home, ha!) Jonas has been working at many different places so it is unclear of what his job should be. At ceremony, Jonas is shocked when he finds out that he has been elected as the Receiver of Memory. The Receiver of Memory is apprenticed by The Giver. What is This Giver? The Giver runs the community and keeps the people happy and long-working. Jonas is shocked when The Giver reveals secrets about the community and its people. this book compels Jonas to begin a long journey in search of the truth. The story and setting of this book are very well described. Suspense and excitement grew and I couldn't seem to put this book down! I would recommend the alternative books: 1984, Animal Farm, and Brave New World when you finish this book.

Rating:
Summary: Deceptively Simple, Undeniably Deep
Review: Referred to me by my wife, an elementary teacher, I was not especially excited at first to read this book. But, being an avid reader and believing that every book deserves a chance, I picked up The Giver and very soon found that I couldn't put it down. The Giver is the story of Jonas, a boy who lives in a futuristic 1984-esq society, where everything appears to be perfect. Selected to become the next "Receiver of Memory," the most important role in the community, Jonas is sent for training to a man who gives his name only as "The Giver."
Although a little slow to start, the story quickly picks up as Jonas begins to see the world in a way he never imagined before, and the reader quickly begins to see a world that we may not be to far from, a world that we may want to avoid creating at all costs.
As a future teacher myself, I feel confident in saying that the book itself is fairly easy reading, and could probably be read as early as 4th or 5th grade. The content, however, may be more appropriate for middle school or even high school. While the story does work on several levels, and could be understood by younger kids, there is a scene in the book that may be disturbing for them. But that is, in the end, the overall purpose of the book: to disturb us, to make us think and consider the nature of humanity and the cost of "perfection."
The Giver is a truly amazing book, one written with eerie clarity and foresight, one that could change your way of thinking in many, many ways.

Rating:
Summary: Review Of the Giver
Review: Review of the Giver

In the Giver it has a very different culture. They are almost perfect in it and can be punished very badly. As they grow older they can be given certain privileges. I would not fit in because I would feel very different from the community and might break some rules. If you are reading my review I would recommend that you read the giver.

Rating:
Summary: Looking back on "The Giver"
Review: Review
The book "The Giver" tells about a very different life style of people, living in communities where everything is ruled and where no colours, feelings o climate exist.
I liked the book very much because it was very interesting and surprising to read about this completely different way of life which I could never have imagined in this way before. This story made it clear to me, that people just can't know everything and we don't have the power about everything.
I hesitated at every new rule they wrote about in the book and it was one of those few stories, I really talked about to my friends in my leisure time and even those friends, who didn't read the book seemed to be interested in it. It also was full of suspence, because I always wanted to know if Jonas would reach his aims and if the people in the community will once have a world with feelings too.

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put this book down!!!
Review: Riaz Jamaludheen ([e-mail]) from Bangkok, Thailand. March 2001.

I am 13 years old. I am currently in the eighth grade. I read this book in sixth grade as a class novel, but I always read ahead of the class. Even when my teacher told us never to read ahead, I read ahead. I couldn't put this book down. I thought the ending was too fast. Suddenly Jonas (the main character/receiver) sees the real world celebrating Christmas. This isn't very interesting because, Christmas for us is a yearly celebration. We usually have fun on the auspicious occasion. Anyway, I liked this book, especially when the giver was transferring his memories to Jonas. This author is very descriptive and knows how to express the feelings of the main character(s). However, the second time I didn't enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed it the first time because I basically knew what was going to happen. Nevertheless, it was still a good book. If there is no action on every page, I get bored, and eventually just end up reading half of the book. A good example of a book with action on every page is The Harry Potter series. Harry Potter is my favorite book. I keep re-reading the books, and surprisingly, I never get bored. Anyway, The Giver is a book for people who like weird and unusual fantasies in books. The theme of this book is based on how Jonas is living in a community, different from what we would live in. The author is trying to express the feelings of living in a different community. For example, in the first chapter, the author writes, Jonas was almost frightened because he did not know what his assignment would be. Then after a long time he says that frightened is not the right word for it and apprehensive is the right word. So by reading this, you get the idea that he is cautious of what kind of language he is using. Then his job turns out to be weird, enjoyable, and sometimes, painful. This job is weird because, you would never expect a person to be holding the memories of a whole community and to pass on his memories to another person who will also (after the person who passes the memories is done passing the memories) hold all the memories of the community. The Giver only passes on his memories, when the time has come and when the community finds a good receiver. Then the book goes on about how he receives his memories, and suddenly ends, with a strange ending.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: Robbie Gardner/Spring Creek High School - Giver Review- I think that this is one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure to read. Taking place in a very imaginative and creative setting, the plot is one that will not let you put the book down. There are wonderful conflicts and sub-plots taking place in the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read good stories.
-Robbie

Rating:
Summary: Giver of all things
Review: Set in a culture that has been genetically chosen to represent Sameness, freedom is a word that cannot be understood. A committee makes decisions regarding a person's clothing, job, spouse and even children. These people know no other way of life and so do not question it. They are unfeeling drones in a world designed to eliminate pain, embarrassment and any type of negative emotions. In doing so, the positive emotions have disappeared as well. A young boy is chose to be the successor of the one person who does have the knowledge of what life was once like. They become lockboxes of this wisdom that cannot be shared, only transferred. Through their transmissions and discussions they idealize to share both love and pain with the Community and therefore forever change them. This book brings up a lot of issues for preteens be-ginning puberty. The Community could be a metaphor for a child's life before he opens his eyes and starts to experience it for himself without being protected from anything that could go wrong.

Why 4 stars?:
I feel this is a wonderful piece of literature. However, I took one star off because teachers and parents must be incredibly careful when introducing this book to children. I have seen it used as young as fourth grade, but it is so intense and brings up so many issues about life as we know it (and don't know it yet), that it takes a very mature audience. It should only be used with close supervision and guidance.

Rating:
Summary: Jill
Review: Set in a world completely different from ours, The Giver is an exceptional novel about everyday life in a community with no feelings, color, war, or pain. Everyone has a role, specially designed to help the society function precisely. The same activities are carried out from day to day. Everything seems perfect. Then all that changes for Jonas when he turns twelve and is selected to receive all the memories that the society has never known, memories that will change his life forever. As a result of brilliant craftsmanship and talent, the author used the strong elements of the story's setting, writing style, and a carefully planned out plot to attract any reader.
The world that Jonas lives is unlike any place on our Earth. Everything is under control and perfectly planned out. Nothing surprising or unexpected happens in the community. Feelings have been eliminated, since they can lead to problems and would upset the perfect balance of their world. This futuristic place is interesting to read about because it is so unlike the places that truly exist. The author created a completely unique and fascinating world and amazingly brought it to life. From characters to daily activities, I was very interested in the entire setting.
In addition to her imaginative ability, Lois Lowry is an especially gifted author and has a very appealing writing style. The book uses wonderful descriptions, which definitely draw the reader in. Her rare imagination sets this book apart from all others. She writes at a slow pace, not rushing anything, expanding on details to let everything soak into the reader's mind. The story unravels slowly, but proves to be very thoughtful, not boring in the least. She truly succeeded at producing an insightful masterpiece based on a world we know nothing about.
All the events in this story were woven together to create a very unpredictable plot. Since the world the characters live in is so different from ours, its impossible to foretell what will happen next, so the story definitely held my attention from beginning to end. First the story opens by telling of everyday life in the community, but changes drastically when Jonas turns twelve. Once he starts to receive memories from the Giver, he goes through happiness, pain, fear, and emotions he has never felt before. The worst part is that he is not able to share them with anyone. He must endure all of the pain in a world where no one but the Giver understands or has felt what he feels. Jonas knows he has to make them understand and that there is no way he can stay in this world. However, Jonas does not have the liberty to tell them and the only way to accomplish his desire is to break the rules. It is a risky endeavor, but he will do whatever it takes to escape from this world of no feelings, in a place where no one will understand unless they experience the memories for themselves. Not only does he want to escape, but has to in order to make his world right; the way things used to be.
With great imaginative ability, the unique setting, writing style, and thoughtful plot of this remarkable book clearly show the fine talents of the author. The John Newberry Medal, along with the many other awards The Giver has received, proves that Lois Lowry has indeed created a literary masterpiece. I strongly recommend this book to readers of all ages. It will not only prove to be enjoyable, but also give you a new perspective on the world that you live in. Reading this book will leave you with a different outlook on life and a brightened sense of reality.

Rating:
Summary: Recovering Skeptic
Review: Several months ago I came across this book while browsing the Newbery Medal winners in my bookstore. I picked it up because it looked like a quick read and for some reason I was convinced the book would be about a Native American Medicine Man who takes on a young student.

To my chagrin, the book turned out to be about a communist type society. To be honest, I read the first 25 pages of this book and tossed it aside. Recently, I read a handful of the reviews at amazon and realized I may have misjudged the book. I returned to it, and forced myself through what I still believe is a very slow beginning. In the end, I am glad I read this book, as it eventually demonstrates the fallacy of the communist ideology.

I won't tell you what happens, but will encourage you to read this book. And don't do like I did and judge this book too soon. Keep reading. Keep reading.