The Giver (The Giver Quartet #1)

Reader reviewed by Reciever

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is one of the best books I have ever read in my life! It is a cross between Science Fiction. First we begin when Jonas, the antagonist of the Book, is only one month away from having his work assignment given to him. A Plane, not like a cargo plane in the story, or a biplane, but more like a Blackbird, comes overhead, and then back. Jonas was very scared, but, it came out right. Eventually, the Ceremony Comes.
However, in the Ceremony of Twelves, as he is an eleven becoming a Twelve, he is able to have his job. BUT, he is not chosen for a job; instead he is selected to become the Receiver of Memories of the Community and "back and back and back."

When Jonas starts receiving memories, he enjoys it, but then he has to experience pain. He did not like this because of the multiple new experiences. Jonas was not very pleased when he had to experience war. Then, he has to overcome multiple things that come in the way of his being able to help the community in any way. Then, the book takes a turn for the worse. You will have to read the book to find out what it is. However, I can tell you this. The Giver is one of the VERY few books that I can enjoy again and again, even after reading, and even after knowing what will come next in the book.


Jonas was very brave, and it is amazing that he was able to do so many things, for his family, friends, and Gabriel!!!
READ IT NOW!!!!

Reader reviewed by Josh Yeung

When I looked at the pile of books that lay ahead of me, I selected The Giver by Lois Lowry published by Bantam Books for Young Readers. Lois Lowry was born in 1937 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her elderly father lost his memory and that inspired her to write The Giver. The Giver is a book for young teens which is portrayed in a realistic future world.
Jonas turns twelve and gets selected to become the new receiver. After many discoveries and understandings with an old man (the Giver as we come to know) gives him, Jonas makes a decision that will affect not only his life, but the life of his whole community. This book showed how the Jonas changed from a carefree obedient kid into a strong courageous young man. The theme of this book was revelation and understanding. The authors message was when one learns the truth about the Earth and his/her lifestyle; he/she will dare to do things that they thought impossible. I learned this from the actions that Jonas portrayed in the story when he found that his living style and life had been all planned out. That then resulted in him doing something that he never thought before. I thought that Lois Lowry did a great job describing the themes and the setting of the book. Each of the characters had interesting traits and personalities that the she progressed and enhanced. The details in this work of fiction were very detailed which brought me, as a reader into the exciting events of the protagonist.
I really enjoyed this piece of writing from the author. Everything fell into place and I thought that the plot and outcome were amazing! This work of fiction is one of the best books Ive read in a long time. Most books Ive read recently have been fairly boring and have not drawn me into the story as The Giver has.
Lois Lowry made an excellent novel with a theme that presented itself throughout the book. Using Jonas, she reveled the meaning of understanding and revelation to readers such as myself. I recommend this book to all readers looking for an adventure. This novel was extraordinary!

Reader reviewed by Dcoll

This book is amazing! First we begin when JOnas, the antagonist of the Book, is only one month away from having his work assignment given to him. However, in the ceremony of twelves, as he is an eleven becoming a Twelve, he is able to have his job. BUT, he is not chosen for a job, but is selected to become the Reciever of Memories of the Community and "back and back and back." Then, he has to overcome multiple things that come in the way of his being able to help the community in any way. Then, the book takes a turn for the worse. You will have to read the book to find out what it is. However, I can tell you this. The Giver is one of the VERY few books that I can enjoy again and again, even after reading, and even after knowing what will come next in the book.

Reader reviewed by Meeshee

I remember reading this book as a child. From the moment I picked it up I was whole heartedly engaged in the strange world that Lowry has created. The book has strange oddities of twists throughout, as well as an even stranger, cliff hanging ending that can be debated of for centuries. Read this book, no matter what age you are, I know you will love it.

Reader reviewed by Crab Cakes

I read The Giver as something for Quest class. I read ahead. Oh, come on! You know you've done it too!

Anyway, I was amazed at Lowry's insight into the ideal utopia. There's nothing bad at all in there, but they sacrificed much to achieve this. She makes us think about what we truly want in life. It's a sick, twisted world in the Giver, and the worst part is, only two people know the truth.

Lowry paints for us a beautiful and insightful picture of safety and security versus manipulation. I read the sequels and I must say that this is one of the best books I have ever read. I would reccomend it to everyone.

Reader reviewed by PJR

"The Giver" is a unique book that is very thought-inspiring. It gives us a rather scary look into the future. Needless to say, the future in this book is not as most of us would like it to be.

I taught this book to 7th graders a couple of years ago and their reactions were mixed. Many of them loved it and were intrigued by the strange rituals in the book. Many of the other students though, get confused and had to have several parts of the book explained to them.

I'd suggest this book for sci-fi lovers!

Reader reviewed by mearley

Jonas is living in a society with no sorrow, no pain, no anger--but also no real happiness or love. When he is chosen as the Receiver of Memory, Jonas realizes that emotions like this did exist in the past. He longs to share these memories with his community, but knows they won't be welcomed. Eventually, he must take action or the memories (and a young child) will be lost forever.

This is possible the best YA book ever written. Every time I read it, I discover something new, something more meaningful. If you're looking for a book that will be thought-provoking and discussion-prompting, this is the best!

Reader reviewed by abscae

different from gathering blue, this book is just as good. jonas lives in a world of organization, where no memories are found, no colors or sounds. there is one person who holds them all, the giver. it is so organized that you have no choices. 2 kids per family, extra infants are killed, the leaders don't know anything, nor do they want to. it is a world unexpected and makes you think. makes you wonder but most of all, makes you feel happy for what you have. it sheds light on the most unnoticed things in life, like love, sight, sound, color, and the choices you make. this book was and is a part of me always because it taught me an important lesson, to appreciate.

Reader reviewed by Jo

I read this while on vacation. It was great. Quick, and good. I enjoyed the characters and how it all turned out in the end. I like this author very much. The characters in this story are also represnted in other books by this author and they are all tied together in some way. This gives you a sense of mystery as you try and figure out how they are all connected. This is an interesting community in which life is very different than our own.

Reader reviewed by Laura

This is a wonderful book that is a page turner from the start. This story is about a 12-year-old boy named Jonas who must choose between the world he has always known filled with sameness or one that is filled with emotions, including the joys and pains of life.
Jonas lives in a perfect, utopian community, where there are no choices. Everything in Jonas's world seems to fit in order. Each family has a mother, a father, and two children, one of each sex. The families are chosen by the Elders. No child is biologically related to their parents. The elderly, as well as the newest members of the community, are all lovingly cared for. Despite the sameness in the society, there is happiness. There is no crime, no disease, no pain, no rudeness and no unemployment. The community lives in a peaceful existence. He later has to decide on wether he want to run away and let the momries free on the community or to continue his asigned role.


Every person in Jonas's community is assigned a role, or job, which he or she is suited for emotionally, physically and mentally. When Jonas turns 12, Jonas is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory. As the Receiver of Memory, Jonas will be the one person to bear the collective memories of a society that lives only in the present.