The Giver

Rating:
Summary: Thinking out of the box
Review: I found this book a very enlightening one. It was thinking in a different way than normal and I liked that. The Giver helped me see things in a different perspective. The way he was selected to be the next "receiver" was odd to me. The whole concept of not being an individual not being able to choose anything not being able to see color even made me feel sad for them. It was wrote in such an interesting manner that I didn't want to put the book down. I finished it in just a few hours and after I was done I wanted it to be longer so I could find out more about this weird way of living.
E.C.

Rating:
Summary: An inspiring story
Review: I found this book a very interesting story. I especially liked the way the world in which Jonas lived in was displayed. It was a sad story, because you could see the frustration that Jonas was having, yet you knew that almost no-one could help him. The giver himself was a kind gentleman but it was hard for Jonas to get through to him. You felt for Jonas and the giver, because of the secluded world that they would have to live in. This book touched my heart and I thank Lois Lowry for writing such an inspiring story for young adult readers.

Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking
Review: I found this book to be one of the most thought-provoking books I have ever read. I could understand the rationale behind the utopian design, and I could even see its merits. Conversely, I found myself yearning for Jonas to choose the emotion-filled free-will life. Already an optimist, after reading The Giver, I saw our world as an even more wonderful place.

Rating:
Summary: What Price Utopia?
Review: I found this book to be thoroughly thought provoking. It went well beyond the bounds of a childrens book. It made you think of all the sacrifices to humanity that would be made to make a "Utopia" reality. In a since it reminded me of "A Clockwork Orange". It did this because it involved the subjugation or control of natural human urges. Hey, close to a thousand people have reviewed this book. Why not buy it and draw your own conclusions?

Rating:
Summary: Perfection isn't perfect
Review: I found this book to be very good for the reason that it made you think about what it means to live in a "perfect" world, and if you really want to. You may think that harmony in every way is a good thing, but after reading this book, I disagree. I would rather have imperfections and occasional bad people than being unable to feel real emotions or know my mother loves me. A little love goes a long way, right?

Rating:
Summary: Impressive, Most Impressive
Review: I found this book to be very good. It is about a boy named Jonas. He has a family unit that consists of a mother, 1 adopted daughter, 1 adopted son and 1 father. In this case, Jonas is the son. Jonas has just been "selected" to be the "Receiver" or the "Giver". Now that he has the memories of sled rides, sail boat rides and other great things, he can see colors but no one else understands him so he has to try to explain everything but it is too hard. He has the ability to ask whatever he wants. There are other things in the story, but you have to read this great book to find out.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I found this to be truly incredible book. It is able to display effectively why individuality should be celebrated and how a society that encourages sameness will only force it's members to a sort of pointless existence. It also gives a rather meaningful life lesson. That without feeling the true pain and anguish that life has to offer, you cannot feel the full extent of its love and happiness either. It offers a sense of extremes that everyone is meant to meet and deal with in order to fully appreciate what they have. Without that balance between the very bad in our lives and the very good, we lead a mundane existence, because we don't know how to truly know emotion and live.

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: A Not Too Bad of A Life
Review: I gave this star four stars, the book was good but it had something that I didn't like. Author tells us in the book that the life were living in right now is really great. At least we dont have lots of rules to listen too. This book has lots of surprising parts. The bad part in the book is that at first you wont kinda understand, but thats me. Jonas is a great charceter he play a good part in this story. In the beginnig for everyone, they cant see no colors,they cant use the word love, and they cant even pick their own jobs for crying out shake. This book is awesome, I'm really glad that we dont have that community in this world.

Rating:
Summary: Could not put it down!
Review: I generally do not read entire books in one sitting. I could not put this one down. Each chapter left me wanting more. The maturing of Jonus in his understanding of his society is rivetting. I felt his sorrow as his understanding grew that he could not return to the perfect society he once knew. A gem of a book and a strong recommondation.