The Giver

By Lois Lowry

Jonas's World is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community.

When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

I read this for the first time probably three years ago now. Since then I've read it another three times. This is a book about living. It is so masterfully done that you will never wish that you didn't have to make a hard decision again after reading it. I enjoyed it because it was fresh and new and easy to get into, and it made you think in a way you weren't accustomed to thinking. For me, it's a book about the pains and pleasures of life and how we would be if we didn't know them. Everything would be blah. I would recommend everyone to read this book that is over 14.

This book is actually banned from some schools who don't want their children to read it. Basically it is for some minimal reference to puberty and the desires that arise from it in adolescents. I would say, you be the judge on whether to let your kids read it by reading it yourself. It's different for everyone, and it does have a scene that might be uncomfortable for some kids who are sensitive. I myself didn't have a problem and I'm quite sensitive myself.

Info: The Giver has won the Newberry award for children's literature. It also has two companion books called Gathering Blue, and The Messenger, both of which are placed in the same setting with cameo appearances from Jonas and others of The Giver. They both follow the feel of The Giver, but I didn't enjoy them as much. Just my oppinion though. If you want a great book by Lois, read Number the Stars; it's about the Holocaust and it is absolutely amazing. (it also won the Newberry).