The Giver by Lois Lowry

Lowry, L. (1993). The Giver. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0553571338

 

Plot Summary 

Jonas, like any other Eleven in the Community, is preaparing for the Ceremony of Twelves where they will all receive their new jobs.  When he is finally selected as Receiver of Memory, he is instructed to learn from the last Receiver, now an old man who has changed his title to the Giver.  Jonas learns that the sameness that he has experienced his whole life is but a fraction of the possibilities offered in this existence, and he becomes aware of many new feelings, concepts, and colors under the Giver's teaching.  He also becomes aware of terrible things, such as war and famine, and what the concept of "release" truly is.  Devising a plan to escape the community and flood the minds of the people with his newly learned memories, Jonas must decide if he is strong enough to go through with his plan when he learns terrifying truths.

Critical Evaluation 

This book is structured much like a fable.  There is a message that is beings conveyed here, and the story is a way to do that.  The message is of understanding, of connectedness, and of embracing all of life whether it be painful or joyous.  Luckily, the story that contains this message is well-written and emotionally resonant.  Similar to Fahrenheit 451, this book constructs a dystopian future initially presented as a utopia, where information is dangerous and shunned.  Jonas rejection of his society's mores and his escape may bring healing, as he believes he hears music from the community at the end of the book, but he cannot be certain.

Reader's Annotation 

When living in a world of sameness, learning too much as the Receiver of Memories will send Jonas' life in a unique direction.

Author Information 

Lois Lowry was born in 1937 in Hawaii, but she moved to New York at a young age due to her father's military career.  She describes loving her position as the middle child, as she was left to her own devices most of the time and the relative solitariness suited her.  She married young, at 19, had four children quickly and ultimately divorced before eventually remarrying. 

A mother and a grandmother, Lowry lost a son to war, who left behind a daughter.  She states that this informs her writing.  Lowry describes the overarching theme of her books to be "the importance of human connections."  She believes in a "vital need of people to be aware of their interdependence, not only with each other, but with the world and its environment" (Biography).

Genre 

Fiction, science fiction

Curriculum Ties 

Reading and Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas 

As the Giver, without giving too much of the story away, wonder about what happened to Jonas upon his disappearance, recalling past lessons.

Reading Level/Interest Age
The Giver ranks a 760L on the Lexile Range, and while it is captivating for all audiences, those most drawn to it may be about 15.

Challenge Issues 

Infanticide and Suicide are dealt with.

If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly.  Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone.  As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.

Reason Selected

This book is simultaneously defeating and uplifting. The main character experiences distrust of family while having to place their trust in someone else. They are being forced into a societal role they may or may not be ready for. All of these difficult experiences mirror what it is like to be a young adult faced with a greater understanding of the world. This story is also lightly science fiction or fantasy, appealing to those interests, but not so much that it would dissuade non-fans of the genre from reading it, giving it potentially wide appeal.  This is a book that I first read when I was older, and I wish I could go back and read it as a young adult.

In 1994, The Giver won the Newberry Medal amongst other critical praise.

References 

Biography. (2012). Lois Lowry. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://www.loislowry.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=196