Fantasy - The Giver

Lowry, L. (1993). The giver. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.

The Giver is a book that I have heard great things about for years but have never taken the opportunity to read it, given that I have primarily taught grades 3 and 4. This literature class has given me the "excuse" to read this Newberry Award winning book. I was NOT disappointed.

In this modern fantasy tale, author Lois Lowry writes about a community that is outside the realm of possibility and makes it believable. As the story begins, the main character, Jonas, could be described as any boy in any community. The setting is universal; it could be anywhere and possibly in multiple places. However, as the story unfolds, the reader quickly understands that this community is not like any that he/she has experienced. The community is well ordered to an extreme. EVERYTHING that happens and EVERYTHING that is said has a reason as to why it is allowed to happen and allowed to be said. If things are not said and done as the laws state, then citizens of the community are "released."

Lowry writes this incredible story in a third person-sympathetic point of view. The reader is aware of what is going on with all characters, but is especially privy to the thoughts of Jonas and his mentor, the Giver. As with all citizens in this community, Jonas is assigned what his job will be as an adult at the age of 12. It is at this age that he (and all "twelves") begin their training. Jonas has been assigned the job of being "the Receiver," the highest honored position in the community. As the Receiver, Jonas receives from the Giver all of the memories of not only the community, but of the world. In doing this, Jonas realizes that in this well-ordered community in which he lives, the people are not allowed to experience emotions, pain, love, choices, or even color. No one misses these things because they have never known them. Everyone is the same. It is necessary that one person (the Receiver) in the community has these memories so that previous mistakes cannot be made again. As Jonas receives these memories and begins to understand what they mean, he also understands what the people are missing. He realizes that things must change. Working together, Jonas and the Giver devise a plan to begin to make  their community, a community where all is fair and equal, into a better place.

The Giver is a thought provoking book. What if everyone in the world was the same? Would that not be better? No one would be better looking, wealthier, smarter. Everyone would be treated the same. Is that not what we want? Sameness? Everyone would be given what they need. Everyone would be given a job based on their own strengths. Everyone would contribute to the society and if a person does not, cannot, or is no longer needed, they would be  "released" and no longer be a burden on society. If we are all the same, then is anyone special? Or if we are all special, then is anyone special?

This book would be great for older students to read while studying governments. Is this what communism advocates? Was this the goal of the Nazi's?

The Giver definitely grabbed my attention and I believe would interest students who wrestle with the above questions.