The Giver by Lois Lowry

Author: Lois Lowry

Genre: Science Fiction

Awards: Newbery Medal (1994), ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1994), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1994), Booklist Editors' Choice, Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice (1996), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (1996), ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000-2009, William Allen White Children's Book Award (1996), Garden State Teen Book Award (1996), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee (1994), ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000, ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-1999, 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009), Sequoyah Book Award (1996), Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Nominee (1996), Wyoming Soaring Eagle Nominee (1996), NE Golden Sower Award (1995), Golden Duck Award (1994), Buckeye Children's Book Award (1997), The 100 Favorite Novels of Librarians, Maine Student Book Award (1995), TLA Texas Lone Star Reading List, CCBC Choices (1993), Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (1995), Grand Canyon Reader Award (1995), Virginia Readers' Choice Award (1996), Land of Enchantment Book Award (1997), Wisconsin Golden Archer Award (1996), Wisconsin Battle of the Books List (2016), Nevada Young Readers' Award (1995), Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (1997), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (1993), Sequoyah Book Award Nominee (1996), Hawai'i Nēnē Award Nominee (2002), Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Nominee, IRA Teachers' Choices Reading list (1996), IRA Children's Choices Reading List (1992), ALA Notable Children's Book (1994), NCTE Adventuring With Books (1997), School Library Journal Top 100 Children's Novels (2010), School Library Journal Top 100 Children's Novels (2012)

Grade(s): 5th-8th

Summary: This classic by Lois Lowry starts off with an 11-year-old boy, Jonas, who is apprehensive about his "Ceremony of 12." This ceremony is the one where children are assigned their respective professions in the community. Jonas lives in a Utopia where everyone is assigned a job and everyone has a duty at every age. There is no war, no hunger, no inconvenience, no emotion, and no color. At Jonas' Ceremony of 12, he is assigned the role of Receiver. After he is assigned this role, he meets with the former Receiver, the Giver. The Giver shows him happiness and excitement, but also pain and sadness. Although he isn't allowed, Jonas struggles with keeping this new information private as he wants to tell everyone. However, Jonas and the Giver hatch a plan for Jonas to leave his community and all of the memories would be spread amongst everyone. Later, Jonas begins using his new memories to help a newborn, Gabriel, that was brought into his family. The community was going to release Gabriel because he was not able to sleep. After learning that Gabriel would be released, Jonas speaks to the Giver, who tells him that being released is to be killed, so Jonas knew he had to help him with his new found position. The plan that the Giver and Jonas come up with, means that Jonas must leave quickly with Gabriel in order to stay safe. While fleeing the community, Jonas gives Gabriel memories of warmth and happiness in order to sooth Gabriel while they travel through the freeing wilderness. They arrive at a snow-covered hill where Jonas sees a sled that he remembers from one of his memories. The book ends when Jonas rides the sled down the hill and he sees a lit-up house where he has a feeling that someone is waiting for him there. 

My Thoughts: This is one of my favorite Lois Lowry classics. I feel that it has such a deep meaning and insightful approach to how a world of Utopia would be. This book offers a lot of room for discussion amongst classmates as many controversial topics are introduced. Although I would not be able to read this book to my lower elementary grade classes, I would definitely use this book if I ever found myself teaching upper elementary grade students. This book will always have a place on my bookshelf!!