The Giver

Rating:
Summary: A Book you should NOT read!!
Review: I first read this book at age 9. On first glance it is a good, intersting book. If you read a little farther, it is a morbid trip into a land without color or compassion. There is no puberty, no love, no anger- therefore, nothing to make you sympathize with the kind of stupid Jonas.
This book made me cry. People die when they reach a certain age or are too light for this world of supposed ideals. But they don't just die- they are murdered.
The Giver was too much of a moody character for you to really, truly feel for. The best part of the book was Lily, Jonas' little sister. The end with Gabriel was over-the-top and pointless. While I love the Anastasia books by Lois Lowry, she needs a few lessons in good science-fiction endings.

Rating:
Summary: Wicked writing, awesome plot
Review: I first read this book back in 5th grade, along with a few of Lowry's other books, and it still holds the same amazing results as it did that first time I read. Why? Because of the picture she paints with her words, asking you kindly to imagine her world, a terrifying world of equality. Imagine a world without colors, music, smell, anything at all that makes life enjoyable now. You're not allowed to date, not allowed to do what you want, and not allowed to have hopes and dreams of your future, as your future is already chosen for you. It's scary, yet thrilling all at the same time. To imagine this is amazing, to think of it is ingenious. The idea is purely terrifying, the idea of such an equalized world that it would take out everything that makes it worth living, makes it exciting. I fear a world like this, yet it sparks my imagination.

Rating:
Summary: Very good book.
Review: I first read this book in 1993, and haven't read it again since, but it was a terrific book. Very interesting depiction of the Utopian society. I also just read 1984, and there are many similarities, but also some rudimentary differences. I think it's too bad that The Giver is classified more as a children's book. It would be a good read for any adult. I must say this is one of the best utopian novels I have read.

Rating:
Summary: I love The Giver
Review: I first read this book in 4th grade where it immediately became my favorite, and still is. It is one of most thought provoking novels that I've read. Every few pages i would have to just stop...and wonder.

Rating:
Summary: Great Concept
Review: I first read this book in 4th grade. Now I am a 7th grader and have read it every year since then. This book reveals the imperfections of a "perfect society" (as it is revealed in Gathering Blue), and the concept of this book provokes thought and reflection. It's on a reading level that is not difficult and can be read in a day or more. This book is definitely one of my favorites.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I have Ever Read!!!!
Review: I first read this book in 7th grade when my sister had to read it for school shetold me that it was a great book so I read it and agreed with her. Then my mom read it and thought it was good also. Now I am going to be a Freshman and the school assigned it for English 2 to read in the summer!! I was so happy when it was on the list I read it again in a day!! And then I read it AGAIN because it is a great book!! I could not put this book done, I had to know what was going to happen next!!! I think that I am going to read another one of Lois Lowry's books!! I hope it is as good as THE GIVER

Rating:
Summary: A thought-provoking piece that's not just for kids
Review: I first read this book in elementary school shortly after it came out. The book was shocking and disturbing to me then. Now, the book provides a striking commentary and warning about and to modern society. In this age, when genetic and psychological manipulation does not seem far-fetched, Lowry's story depicts a world where a centrally-controlled, perfectionistic society proves that man cannot be truly happy and determine the most fundamental relationships of society. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: An amazing work
Review: I first read this book in fifth or sixth grade, and it was an amazing introduction into more evolved ways of thinking and more abstract concepts. It challenges conformity and conservatism even in our own society, but its focus is on this utopian society and the character of Jonas. It's beautifully, sensitively written, and I enjoy it even today. This is a great read for middle and high school students because it challenges their ways of thinking and introduces what seem (to middle schoolers) to be lofty concepts. Excellent novel.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: I first read this book in the 7th grade. I liked the world that Jonas lived in. It was completely blank of all colors and feelings, life was absent there. Then when things started changing in the story, when Jonas met the Giver life came back into his world.
This book is beautifully written with imagery and originality.
Ms. Lowry did a fine job with her novel.
I reccomend this book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: This book reminds us of all the things we have and can lose.
Review: I first read this book in the sixth grade and I am now a senior. All throughout these years it has remained my favorite. I would reccommend this book to any teacher or student. It paints a picture of what a world would be like with no choices and freedoms. I also helps to show that going along with the accepted things can often turn out to be fatal. I think that it has also strenghened many of my beleifs because I now realize how important they are in life. Everyone should read this book