Ages: 12+
Jonas lives in a “perfect world.” The community strives for sameness, where nothing is unexpected, inconvenient, or unusual. There is no color or past memories. The community lives only in the present, and the people have a narrow perspective of like because they only know their way of life. The people do not experience any feelings. The community has a book of rules that everyone must follow. Every new child is named and placed with a family. Once children reach the Ceremony of Twelve, they become “adults” and are assigned a job/position in society. When Jonas turns twelve, the Community selects him to be the new Receiver of Memories. This is the most honored job in the community. However, training involves physical pain. Only the Giver knows the truth and memories of the past, and now he must pass these memories on to Jonas. While receiving the memories, Jonas learns a different and better way to live. He realizes what he and the community have been missing. Jonas decides that something must be done to change the current conditions of his community. Read about Jonas’ experience in becoming the new Receiver of Memories in The Giver.
The Giver is a unique book. It was the first time I had read the book, and I found it to be an interesting book that I really enjoyed. I had hears so much about this book, and I am glad that I got the opportunity to read it. It was easy to read and follow, and was very engaging. The tone of the book is suspenseful, which makes readers want to keep reading to find out what happens next. This book is definitely a page-turner with all the action and suspense. I sat down and read it in one sitting. The author does a great job of including many details and great descriptions throughout the book. The Giver creates a movie in your head. The whole time the reader is seeing the story happen as he/she reads. This allows the reader to use his/her imagination, picturing the characters, the unique world that this story takes place, and the memories that are transferred to Jonas from the Giver. The author’s writing style is also engaging. She pulls you in to empathize with the characters and the major conflicts that occur. As I was reading, I found myself pulling for Jonas as he learns more and more about how different life could be with memories, color, and emotion. I like how the author ended the book with Jonas’ first memory he received from the Giver. However, I wish the author had given the reader more information about what happens, and didn’t leave the reader hanging. This book shows that life should not be perfect. Faults, problems, and differences make life interesting and fun. The Giver gives the reader an appreciation for family, emotions, love, choices, and freedom.
Although The Giver was a great book, it has some issues that I do not think are appropriate for young children. I think it would be appropriate for students starting in 6th grade. One of the controversial topics that the author touches upon is euthanasia, which is the practice of ending someone’s life to ease their suffering. In the book, the community where Jonas lives practices euthanasia. Old citizens and unhealthy newchildren are released from the community. They are injected with a liquid that kills them. The bodies are then placed in a carton and placed into a chute. Members of the community also have the choice of ending their own life (suicide). A few other topics that I do not think are age appropriate are when Jonas bathes a naked old woman and the sexual dream caused by stirrings. Some of the memories that Jonas receives from the Giver are also a bit disturbing. Besides these few issues, I would recommend The Giver to any older child or adult.
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