Rating: 
Summary: What is wrong with people?
Review: I cannot believe some of the one-star reviews given to this absolutely fantastic book. Children write in that they dislike the book, and admit its probably because they "don't get it," but it appears the adults don't get it either. Writing in ALL CAPS, they decry what they see as an endorsement of euthanasia, infanticide and suicide. They say the "stirrings" are not age appropriate reading, the book is much darker than her previous work, and the ending is too ambiguous. Worst of all, some of these people are in education! I feel sorry for the kids who are being deprived of a wonderful book by unimaginative, ignorant, reactionary librarians, teachers and parents, who don't seem to realize that depiction does not equal endorsement. I don't understand how anyone could misconstrue Jonas' father's flippant attitude toward "release" as Lowery promoting the practice. It's a cautionary tale, ladies and gents, and not a terribly subtle one either (kids take their cue from Jonas, and he is appropriately horrified by the truth). Kids that "don't get it" aren't ready for the material (just as most 11-year-olds aren't ready for James Joyce). It doesn't hurt to have them try, because if they're not ready, it'll go right over their heads (like Joyce :) Television depicts violence and sexuality all the time. What it doesn't do, and what The Giver does in spades, is give a context to violence and sexuality, mainly by showing how society's distorted perspective of certain aspects of life may become so warped in the future that birth will be assigned, all sensual feelings banished by a pill, and suffering unheard of (but no freedom, no joy, and no love). There is no gore, no sex scenes, no cheap thrills that you find on TV. Instead, Jonas has a dream about a close female friend, and he describes feeling a sort of tenderness toward her. It is cleverly written so only those who have had that feeling before know what it means. As for violence, Lowery weaves an elegant tale that explores suffering in a way that children can understand, and juxtaposes two concepts, represented by the two Receivers of the Memory, Rosemary and Jonas. Rosemary is a model citizen of the community: contented but not ebulliant. She is all too happy to have memories of pony rides and sunlit gardens, but when exposed to a memory of violence, she can't take it, and asks to be released. In her perspective, it is better to be dead than to live with the possibility of pain. This line of thinking is carried through in the release of the elderly, who are sure to suffer if they continue to live...and it benefits the community as well, not to have to care for these non-workers. One step further, and babies who cry too much, or who are small, or one of twins can be euthanized as well. Much better in this community's opinion to slip quietly, painlessly away into nothing than to stay and be in pain or cause disruption to the community. Sameness is better than the chaos that would follow if people had the ability choose! Of course, this is contrasted by our protagonist Jonas, who believes, like most of us I'd imagine, that suffering is part of life, and without suffering there can be no true joy. Lowery does not pull punches either, letting kids understand that suffering can get very bad indeed. But when Jonas' father is unable to tell his son that he loves him (truth be told, love is impossible in that world), the reader gets the message: nothing is worse than that Sameness, not even pain. That is why Jonas risks everything for Gabriel. If that's not a life affirming message, I don't know what is. At the time I read the Giver, I was disappointed in the ending. After a few more reads, I realized I liked it so much I didn't want it to end, not that it shouldn't have ended there. Ambiguity is the only way a book like this can end. It is a look into our possible future, and we are the ones who'll determine whether or not it has a happy ending. Jonas' future is uncertain, as is ours.
Rating:
Summary: Read it again and again!
Review: I cannot say how wonderful this story is. My feelings were being tested along with Jonas', and I think Lois Lowry has done a fantastic job. I'll spare the synopsis and just tell you that it's worth reading. I started to read with only a vague idea of what I would find, and I found it difficult to put it down and go to sleep. Although the novel is directed toward "younger" readers, I still found it mature enough for an adult or older teen to enjoy. Please read this novel, I promise you'll be glad you took the time to read it.
Rating:
Summary: My Absolute Favorite Book!!!
Review: I checked this book out from the Library by chance and LOVED it! I normally hate Science Fiction but this book, taking place in a science fiction world, was very good and you could easily visulise what was going on. The book makes you appricate the little things in life. I immedately recomend this to anyone who asks, and to all my friends.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best.
Review: I chose to read The Giver for a school project. I finished it the day after I started it. This is one of the best books I have ever read. I had heard a lot of good things about it, but didn't know if it was all true. I was happily surprised when I read it; it was as good as everyone said. I am not a huge fan of science-fiction novels, but I loved The Giver. This novel really made me think. It makes one think of what we take for granted, such as seeing in color and listening to music. I would recommend this book to nearly anyone. It is a classic story that should make a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.
Rating:
Summary: fantastically written
Review: I could not believe that this book was threatened to be taken out of the school district by the parents. If this book was not required for the reading curriculum, I would've never read this wonderful and thoughtful book by Lois Lowry. I recommend this to everyone because of the exquisite quality. It really makes you think.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Story With An Obscure Ending
Review: I could not put this book down... But was so depressed at the end... Was it sad, did they make it?? I could never figure it out..
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck!?!
Review: I couldn't finish this book, but I got far enough through it to know that I didn't like it. It is sort of a gated community slash perfect world type setting, where nothing really interesting ever happens. Duh!!!
Trevor
Rating:
Summary: A Pool Of Feelings
Review: I cried,laughed,and felt the joy that was flowing in this book.I could not put it down because it was so different.I think anyone could read this book it is very unique and perfect for any reader!
Rating:
Summary: Touches of Communism
Review: I definitely enjoyed the storyline of this book very much. You are presented in the beginning of the book with Jonas, a boy about to turn twelve. You meet his family and see that there is much emphasis on job titles in the community, as well as much emphasis on what is called Sameness. Jonas' story of being selected as the next Receiver of Memory is definitely riveting. You encounter his trials and tribulations as he learns about the world and begins to feel and see things for what they really are.
This book most definitely had touches of Communism, in that everything is the same and everyone has an important role in the community. Everyone has the same things, and everyone (mainly the Committee of Elders) is the government. Jonas begins to see through this as he learns more about his job, and begins to feel things such as love for the very first time.
This story is powerful. It has so much inner meaning behind it, such as in the end. The symbolism in the book is amazing, as is the storyline. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone of all ages.
Rating:
Summary: This was an enhancing story
Review: I did not actually READ this book. I listened to it on Cassette, but even so this book had me hanging till the end! It can be a little boring in the beginning and you have to be able to understand what is happpening in the characters world. This book gave us a little insight of what it may be like in the future. I found parts of this book a little disturbing and it sent me wondering about our world. If you read this book, be ready to ask questions and also give yourself time to figure out some what is happening. let the facts sink in. This book is a little complex, but I still loved it. [the casette was VERY good so if you do not like to read try listening to this book. I had seen this book at bookstores before but never took much intrest. Now that i listened to it i changed my mind.]
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