The Giver

Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Date: 1994

Number of pages: 208 pages

Reading level: Young Adult

Genre: Science Fiction

Summary: In a world of no poverty, crime or sickness Jonas is a 12 year old boy that is faced with a lifetime burden and opportunity as being the communities "Receiver of Memories". Under the close eye of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his Utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. The author explores the world where someone would give up everything even their humanity to create a more stable environment that promotes equality amongst all it's citizens.

When Jonas meets the Giver, he is confused  and faces many forms of agony. The Giver is allowed to break some rules, such as turning off the speaker and lying to people of the community to protect them from knowledge. As Jonas receives the memories from the previous receiver, who is currently known as the giver (giver of memories to the new receiver - he discovers the power of knowledge and the thirst to learn and acquire more of it. Regardless of truthfulness, there is a certain serenity about knowing, but also poses as a burden to keep such secrets. The people in his community are happy because they don't know of a better life but the knowledge of what they are missing out on could create chaos. He faces a dilemma: Should he stay with the community, his family living a shallow life without love, color, choices and knowledge or should he run away to where he can live a full life...What does Jonas choose?

 Desperate, Jonas flees the community with his good friend Gabe. Also, he was given the instructions from the Giver to flee, and release all the memories that he had stored to the rest of the community. At first, the escape seems successful, with all of the search planes finally giving up their search for Jonas. Soon, however, food runs out and they grow weak. Cold and hungry, Jonas and Gabe begin to lose hope, but then remembering the memory of sunshine Jonas was given, he uses it and regains strength. Jonas begins to no longer care about himself, but only about Gabe's safety; it is here that he feels happy as he remembers his parents and sister, his friends and The Giver. Jonas and Gabriel cross a snow-covered hill in the dark and find a sled on top, which Jonas remembers from the first memory he ever received. He and Gabriel board the sled and go down the hill where they seem to hear music coming from some houses. The story ends as Jonas develops symptoms of hypothermia. It is never revealed the fate of Gabe and Jonas - but it is hinted that they return safely and survive.

My reaction: Very entertaining, even as an adult reader. I loved the story, and I typically don't like science fiction. The fact that the setting is very much futuristic, the distinct detail makes you feel as if you are there - in the story.

Potential problems: The content at times can be severely inappropriate for young readers.

My recommendation: I would recommend this be used in young adult classrooms as a literary work of art. It can be used for points of discussion in literary circles or groups, and also in lessons about the unknown. I will recommend this novel to any young boys who are struggling to find a genre they actively enjoy reading.