The Giver

by Lois Lowry

2006
Age ranges: Grades 5-8
Genre(s): dysotopian, fantasy, science fiction
John Newbery Award
Golden Sower Award

Story summary:  Jonas lives in a perfect world, no pain, no attachments, and no fear.  Now that they are 12 years old, the time has come for Jonas and his classmates to be given their assignments for what they will do the rest of their lives. Jonas has no idea the special position he is being given nor how it will change his life.
My reaction: To me, this book was very strange and not a genre I enjoyed much.  However, it can be taken much deeper than what appears on the surface and could be a good study to show that there are choices we make in life.  Though we think we do not want to make choices, since we do not want to have to live up to them, we are better off by far than if our choices were made for us by others.  We get attached to others and this can bring pain, we make choices and these can bring pain, but these things ultimately bring us a sense of accomplishment and greater joy than we could know without them.
Activities: Lesson plan