The Giver (Fantasy)

Citation:  Lowry, L. (1999). The giver. New York, NY: Bantam Books. Tr. $7.50. ISBN: 9780553571332. Format: Paperback.

Annotation:  Jonas lives in a perfect world where everything is perfectly organized. He does not have to worry about choices because they are made for him. When his job is chosen for him and he becomes the Receiver of Memories, everything changes.

Book Talk:  How would you feel if you didn’t have to choose? For Jonas, this is a wonderful thing. He never has to make a decision. They are made for him.

Jonas is getting ready to become a Twelve. When he becomes a Twelve, a career path is chosen for him. It is the same for all of the Twelves. There is a ceremony and each Twelve is awarded a job. Jonas receives the most honored job there is; he becomes the Receiver of Memories. Jonas will train, learn, and be given all of the world’s memories by a man he will know as the Giver.

As the Receiver of Memories, Jonas will discover choice. He will also learn happiness, excitement, pain, and horror. When the life of the baby that lives with Jonas and his family threatened, his life will change forever. After all, how could he not choose to save a baby?

Awards: Newbery Medal (1994), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Children's Literature (1994), Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1994), Garden State Book Award for Teen Fiction Grades 6-8 (1996), Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (1996) , Grand Canyon Reader Award for Teen Book (1995), Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award for Senior (1996), New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award (1997)

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If you would like to learn more about the author and her books, visit http://www.loislowry.com/

The Giver is the first book in a trilogy.  Check out books two and three next!