The Giver (The Giver Quartet #1)

Reader reviewed by Amanda

I didn't read this book for the first time until a couple of years ago, being that I was often put off when it was described as a "science fiction" novel. I hadn't yet broadened my genre taste to include something of everything and passed by this wonderful book for too long. This was my second read of it and it was just as amazing this time around.


The Giver is written by the amazing, wonderful, incredible Lois Lowry and tells the unique story of Jonas, a young boy living in a Utopian society. Everyone is the same in this society, they all have the same color skin, though none of them can see color anyways, so that doesn't matter. There is no such thing as love in this society, as it is an emotion that complicates things. In fact, emotions in general are non-existent in this society. When Jonas is selected to be the next Receiver of Memory, the most prestigious assignment in the entire society, he is shocked and somewhat angry to have been singled out in a world of sameness, though intrigued to learn that through The Giver, he can experience feelings, emotions, and the concept of colors in a manner never before experienced by a resident of the society. What Jonas must decide is whether or not he wants to participate in what the society is making its citizens go through or if he wants to remain within his new found perspective of life's opportunities.


I must admit that I have not read Gathering Blue or The Messenger, both books that follow The Giver, but you can bet I'll get them read before the year is done!

Reader reviewed by Pageant Babe

The Giver was a required reading book at my school. Like most I normally find all school reading books boring, not something I'd ever want to read for the fun of it. However The giver is much different. It focuses on a "perfect" community. Or at least it seems perfect on the outside. The book really shows people the importance of pain, happiness, and memories (the book and the bad) This book is one I will never forget. It is an amazing read.

Reader reviewed by wwegurl

Jonas lives in a perfect society, a utopia. Everything is monitored and nothing can go wrong. At least that's what Jonas thinks until he learns that he is the new Receiver of Memory. He has to receive all past memories. He will be the only one to have these and 10 years ago, all the memories of the receiver in training went throughout the society and it was a disaster. But what will happen if no body ever knows what these memories are?

Jonas and the Giver need to know. This book is somewhat confusing at the beginning but is very good once you get into it. I would reccommend this!

Reader reviewed by Alexandra

Jonas lives in a community where everything is perfect. There's no crime, poverty, illness, or unemployment, and every family is perfectly balanced and happy. Then, at his Ceremony of the Twelve, Jonas is chosen to be Receiver of the Memories. As he receives memories from the Giver, he realizes that there are other things his world doesn't have: color, pleasure, warmth, weather. Now that Jonas has learned about real life, he wants to do something about it, to save his community. With some help from the Giver, he will show everyone what they are missing. This powerful novel is sure to become a classic

Reader reviewed by Bren

The Giver is definately a confusing book. Lois thinks of a brilliant idea for this story. My 5th grade teacher read it to us so she could help us understand the book. This book is one of those books where you have to read between the lines a lot. It shows that nothing is perfect and everybody goes through emotions. The book gives a good moral for kids.

Reader reviewed by BAlverez

This book was great all 5 times that I read it!! My English teacher didn't believe me when I told him that I had read this book in the 3rd grade but boy did I show him. Anyway this book is great but kind of confusing.

Reader reviewed by Sarah

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It takes place in the future, and the main character is a boy named Jonas. Jonas lives in a society where there is no color and no true emotions. The past is not known to anyone in the "community" and everyone has a designated mate and employment. But Jonas know the past. He has been the given the honor of being the new "Receiver of Memories." The job of the previous Receiver is to give the memories to Jonas. And with that, Jonas feels real emotions. He sees colors and knows the past. All the memories must be given to Jonas. He must carry the weight of the past. But Jonas realizes how wrong his society is and decides he must do something about it.

This was a wonderfully written book and it truly made me think about it. It may contain concepts too complex for younger kids to grasp, so I recommend this book for older kids and teenagers.

Reader reviewed by Ireland

Living in a perfect world I feel as if Im the one living by the strict laws and that Im the one who only can see the grays, whites, and blacks or their little world. I cant even imagine a scene without pinks, oranges, greens,or yellows. I love this novel because it is one of those page-turning books that gives you a glimpse into a diferent environment. I reccomend this book to all who love to explore!

Reader reviewed by GreenAngel

Okay, this is one of the best books ever. I love the whole idea of a utopia where everything seems so perfect but it isn't. This book is great and life changing and you should definitely read it.

Reader reviewed by Tsahai

I haven't finished this book yet, because I'm reading it in school, but it keeps me on the edg eof my seat. Every chapter is filled with suspense. This book is an interesting book and an unusual topic to write on. Louis Lowry has really opened up my mind to different topics and ideas.