The Giver

 The Giver 

Newbery Medal Winner

Author: Lois Lowry

Year Published: 1993

Number of pages: 180    

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is a book set in a dystopian future about a boy named Jonas, who lives in a community where everything is black-and-white and everything is in order and perfect. They don't know the joy and heartbreak of feelings and it is a life with rules and straight answers.  They are always happy with the simplicity of life, the same routine day after day. Jonas is nervous to attend the Ceremony when he will become a Twelve and be given an Assignment - a job that suits your personality and interests. But it turns out that Jonas isn't going to be Assigned, he has been selected - Chosen to be the new Receiver. He meets the Giver, who carries all the memories of the past, of terrible and great things, and it is Jonas's job to learn and receive these memories from him. He has been given a great honor to be the Receiver, especially since they failed with the last one. At first, Jonas enjoys the sessions, but as the Giver transfers harsh and painful memories, he has to carry the burden of them. He realizes that that these things were taken from everyone because society wanted the perfect life, no wars or strife, but they also removed love and happiness, replacing them with the bliss of knowing nothing besides what they need to. Jonas also becomes attached to a little new-child named Gabriel. He wasn't growing like he should be and wasn't sleeping soundly, so Jonas' family took him into their care, since Jonas' father is one of the Nurtures that take care of the babies. But when it seems like Gabriel is going to be Released soon, Jonas wants to know what actually happens when a new-child or one of the Old is released.  After learning, Jonas and the Giver make a plan. 

When I read this book, I could definitely make some connections to Jonas. First of all, it makes sense to me that he was nervous in the beginning as the author chose to give them assignments when they turn twelve. Being a twelve-year-old myself, I understand that feeling of new responsibility and independence when you become this age. Jonas has feelings he does not yet understand and the author brings in some of the things that start to happen and change when you get older. I also wondered at the authors choice to give them this Assignment at twelve instead of thirteen. Most everyone these days can't wait to turn thirteen, to become a teenager and get that feeling of a little more freedom. I don't know, I'm not there yet! 

When Jonas becomes the Receiver his friends start to see him differently, a little strange and not really one of them anymore. I can relate to that a little bit, thankfully not as much as him, but I changed from public school to a private school (Waldorf) and while my good friends were sad to see me go, after I had been there for a year and the others had moved on to the public middle school life, sometimes I felt like I really was different.  Waldorf is very special, it likes to do things a little differently, and that's all good. Now, I do things my friends don't do and they do stuff I don't know how to do; like I go for walks in the woods on campus and they use computers and iPhones in class.

Jonas also carries this great burden of sorrow and pain from these memories that happened to an imperfect society and experiences the feeling of being with no people to protect him and give him medicine for the minor and major injuries in life. He is sometimes alone in these memories and he feels the effects on himself in everyday life. But he feels the love and joy that can happen too. And I think that the prospect of keeping those he loves alive, and reaching his ultimate goal, keeps him going during the times that follow.  I really think he finds himself along the way. I think that this a great book for teens because we are all trying to find ourselves in this world, and we can really understand and relate to Jonas.

I would highly recommend this book to teens and pre-teens around eleven years old and up. This book is not difficult and it is not very long. At times, this book was a little bit confusing to me and some of the memories were a bit harsh, so be aware of that. This book was all in all a great read and Lois Lowry is a great author. There are also three more books in this quartet, so be on the lookout for their reviews!