The Giver

By Lois Lowry
1994 Newbery Award Winner
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Jonah's world is perfect. Noone ever goes hungry. Everyone obeys the rules. Every family has 2 children, one boy and one girl. But Jonah is worried. Once a child turns the age of 12, the Elders decide what profession they are going to be apprenticed into. It is the biggest ceremony of his life, and Jonah isn't sure what job will be selected for him and if he will like the Elders' decision. Then Jonah is chosen to be the next Receiver of the Memories; the person who will hold the memories and history of the people so others will not be burdened by the weight of that knowledge. The Giver is the one who holds the memories now and will be "giving" them to Jonah. Jonah is hesitant about his new role, but as he becomes involved with the Giver, he begins to see that the world he has always known isn't quite as perfect as he thought. And then Jonah realizes he might have to risk everything to change it. This is a fascinating story about creating a perfect world and what we might have to give up to live there and whether or not it would be worthwhile. Readers will be drawn into Jonah's life and may even be shocked at his decisions by the story's end. An all-around great story that will set you to thinking. The Giver has two companion novels you might also like to read, Gathering Blue and Messenger.