The Giver by Lois Lowry (Bantam, 1993)

GENRE: "Soft" Science Fiction

HONORS:The 1994 Newbery Medal
1996 William Allen White Award
American Library Association listings for "Best Book for Young Adults", "Notable Children's Book," and "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000."
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
Winner of the Regina Medal

REVIEW: The book appears to contain some kind of age old wisdom, but in this Utopian society all the wisdom in this story is based on what us readers experience in our own world. All members of this society have a purpose and strict guidelines to follow. There are no choices to be made here; food is delivered daily, certain age levels determine how much you know and what you can do (at age 9 one can start riding a bicycle), and the destiny of one's job in society is predetermined. Jonas is assigned one of the most painful and valued roles as being the receiver of memories, so no one in his society has to feel pain, poverty, or loss, while at the same time, they know nothing of love, family, and simple pleasures. The job of holding an entire society's memories is overbearing and isolating for Jonas and the Giver. Not only do they see the grim, but they also see the results of this system that has devalued the meaning of life.

OPINION: The story of a dystopian society is not a new idea, however Lois Lowry renders a perspective on how a system with no grief or pain has to give up its feelings of happiness as well. The Giver conjured thoughts about the things that matter most to us, and teens will relate to Jonas' passionate and independent character. The indistinct conclusion will give rise to a discussion and has similarity to the endings of Robert Cormier.

IDEAS: A great book for a teen book discussion. This can interweave with activities, such as having teens take black & white photos about things that spark memories and sharing these memories and images with peers.