1. BIBLIOGRAPHYLowry, Lois. 1993. THE GIVER. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 0440237688
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lowry gives her audience a credible, futuristic book in THE GIVER. The main character, Jonas, is a realistic character struggling to make hard decisions. Young readers and adults will be able to relate to his challenges. Jonas is revealed to the reader through his thoughts and actions. His opinions about his community change as he learns more about his community. Readers will feel his loneliness as he begins to stand apart from his beloved community and family.
The plot moves along swiftly as Jonas is given the important job as Giver in his community. Readers will be as curious as he is to know more about his new job duties. The futuristic setting is also believable. The community has been able to eradicate hurt and pain but has lost out on things as a result.
Readers will be able to relate to the community’s desire of wanting to eliminate hardship and Jonas’ feelings of betrayal. Lowry examines the side effects of these decisions so readers can also relate to those as well. A well organized book that can lead to many worthwhile discussions.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Winner of the 1994 Newbery Award
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lowry gives her audience a credible, futuristic book in THE GIVER. The main character, Jonas, is a realistic character struggling to make hard decisions. Young readers and adults will be able to relate to his challenges. Jonas is revealed to the reader through his thoughts and actions. His opinions about his community change as he learns more about his community. Readers will feel his loneliness as he begins to stand apart from his beloved community and family.
The plot moves along swiftly as Jonas is given the important job as Giver in his community. Readers will be as curious as he is to know more about his new job duties. The futuristic setting is also believable. The community has been able to eradicate hurt and pain but has lost out on things as a result.
Readers will be able to relate to the community’s desire of wanting to eliminate hardship and Jonas’ feelings of betrayal. Lowry examines the side effects of these decisions so readers can also relate to those as well. A well organized book that can lead to many worthwhile discussions.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Winner of the 1994 Newbery Award
NEW YORK TIMES: ”A powerful and provacative novel.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “In a complete departure from her other novels, Lowry has written an intriguing story set in a society that is uniformly run by a Committee of Elders. The author makes real abstract concepts, such as the meaning of a 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.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Read CITY OF EMBERS and compare the two communities.
*Discuss how life would be in this community and find pros and cons.
*Write a sequel to tell what happens to Jonas after he escapes.
*Read GATHERING BLUE and MESSENGER and see how these stories relate.
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