The Giver by Lois Lowry
published in 1993 by Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers (New York).
1994 John Newbery Medal winner.
Summary
Jonas lives in a world where there is no sickness, crime, war, and little pain. Everyone is obedient and there is no other choice. When he becomes a Twelve (12 years old), he is selected to be the new Receiver of Memories. The old receiver, now the Giver, gives him the world's memories. These memories are held for the community so they don't have to deal with them. However, these memories contain true feelings like happiness, pain, and love. Jonas has to decide if it is important to leave the community as it is or let it truly feel.
Impressions
Lowry gives a well-written novel that explores a world without choice. Her writing is clear and even concise, and it helps the reader experience something, like the color red, as if for the very first time. It would really provide a lot of material for the classroom and even the adult book club. She does a great job creating the setting and also in developing Jonas' character. The reader can feel like he or she is developing like Jonas, which is quite the feat. Also, Lowry's story is one that leaves the reader thinking even after he or she is finished reading it.
Reviews
"Lowry's simple, powerful prose creates an anti-utopian world where the lack of hardship, war, and poverty only covers the citizens' deeper lack of freedom. A Booklist Editors' Choice and Newbery Medal Winner." --Booklist. (1998). Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.
"In a complete departure from her other novels, Lowry has written an intriguing story...The author makes real abstract concepts, such as the meaning of life in which there are virtually no choices to be made and no experiences with deep feelings. This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time." --Amy Kellman. (1993). School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.
Uses
Because there is so much depth to this relatively short book, The Giver can be used in several ways at the library and at home. In the library, it can be used at the adult book club for one month's book just among adults, or have a special month where the adults can bring their kids, nieces, nephews, or grandkids. It would provide a great discussion that even the kids could follow. To add to the experience, gray sugar cookies could be provided with the occasional red cookie to represent Jonas starting to recognize the existence of colors. The Giver could also be a great book to read as a family as it is short and can help teach kids that to truly experience joy, they have to experience pain too.
"Lowry's simple, powerful prose creates an anti-utopian world where the lack of hardship, war, and poverty only covers the citizens' deeper lack of freedom. A Booklist Editors' Choice and Newbery Medal Winner." --Booklist. (1998). Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.
"In a complete departure from her other novels, Lowry has written an intriguing story...The author makes real abstract concepts, such as the meaning of life in which there are virtually no choices to be made and no experiences with deep feelings. This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time." --Amy Kellman. (1993). School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.
Uses
Because there is so much depth to this relatively short book, The Giver can be used in several ways at the library and at home. In the library, it can be used at the adult book club for one month's book just among adults, or have a special month where the adults can bring their kids, nieces, nephews, or grandkids. It would provide a great discussion that even the kids could follow. To add to the experience, gray sugar cookies could be provided with the occasional red cookie to represent Jonas starting to recognize the existence of colors. The Giver could also be a great book to read as a family as it is short and can help teach kids that to truly experience joy, they have to experience pain too.
No comments:
Post a Comment