The Giver

Jonas lives in a word without choices. All decisions are made by the elders, for the good of the Community, from what you will do, who you will live with and when you will receive your children. On the day of their twelfth Ceremony all children receive their Assignments, the jobs that they will do for the rest of their lives. When we meet Jonas, he is approaching this momentous day. Jonas, however, does not receive a standard assignment, he is chosen as the Community’s Receiver of Memory. He is to become the vessel of all memories for the Community. This is a job of great honour, responsibility and pain. Jonas receives the memories from an old man he knows only as “The Giver”. As he learns the memories of the world and what things were like before the “Sameness”. Jonas begins to question the Community and the way it works. When Jonas learns the truth about the functioning of the Community, he and the Giver decide that things must change. A final betrayal forces Jonas to flee the Community and run for his life.

I very much enjoyed this book and was pleased to learn that it is part of a trilogy, as the ending left me hanging. It is well written and captivating, drawing you into the story and their world. I was quite sure that the “Releasing” of people was not a good thing, but this may just be because of the number of similar fantasy stories that I have read. This book is a great introduction to the many books that deal with freedom and choice, as well as a discussion starter around these subjects as well. I would consider this book for younger children before introducing them to classics like 1984, A Brave New World and others. I liked the way that Ms Lowry began with only a surface view of the Community and then as you read you learn more and more about what level of control was exerted. I would definitely recommend this book.

Age range: 10 plus
Ranking: Quality – 4/5 Popularity – 4/5