Brief synopsis (no spoilers)
Jonas is a looking forward to turning 12-years-old and getting his work assignment, but when he is singled out to be the new Receiver of Memory for the community he comes to see that that everything is not as perfect as it appears.
Why I chose this book
The upcoming movie, memories of reading it in middle school, Newberry Award Winner status.
My personal opinion (the review)
As most dysutopian books do, The Giver first makes you very comfortable with the way society runs in their community. Everything is in it's place and everything has it's time. For example, at 9 children can get their first bike, and at 12, after careful consideration by the Elders, each child get their work assignments in the community. But just as we are begin to get comfortable things change when Jonas becomes the new Receiver of Memory for the community. From his experiences with the Giver he comes to see that all emotion, pain, and even the ability to see colors have been taken from the community. As we learn more and more about this community the more and more horrified we become.
I enjoyed the book. It has some disturbing parts, but I like the questions the story makes us ask ourselves.
As most dysutopian books do, The Giver first makes you very comfortable with the way society runs in their community. Everything is in it's place and everything has it's time. For example, at 9 children can get their first bike, and at 12, after careful consideration by the Elders, each child get their work assignments in the community. But just as we are begin to get comfortable things change when Jonas becomes the new Receiver of Memory for the community. From his experiences with the Giver he comes to see that all emotion, pain, and even the ability to see colors have been taken from the community. As we learn more and more about this community the more and more horrified we become.
I enjoyed the book. It has some disturbing parts, but I like the questions the story makes us ask ourselves.
Warnings (language, violence, "adult" situations, death, etc.)
Language: Mild
Violence: No physical violence, but emotional stress is common and memories of violence are recounted
Adult Situations: None, but there are very brief references to a teen's first sexual feelings. There is also brief references to nudity.
Death: Frequent;they are not violent but some may find them disturbing.
Violence: No physical violence, but emotional stress is common and memories of violence are recounted
Adult Situations: None, but there are very brief references to a teen's first sexual feelings. There is also brief references to nudity.
Death: Frequent;they are not violent but some may find them disturbing.
Movie rating equivalent
PG-13
Protagonist description
Jonas is very happy with his life, albeit nervous for the upcoming changes he knows are coming. He is a determined youth who is able to feel things very deeply (a unique trait in his community).
Jonas is very happy with his life, albeit nervous for the upcoming changes he knows are coming. He is a determined youth who is able to feel things very deeply (a unique trait in his community).
Point of view of story
First Person
Book length
A quick read -three days
Story flow
I was never bored and got caught up into the emotion of the story.
I was never bored and got caught up into the emotion of the story.
Grammar and spelling issues
None
Character connection (no spoilers)
I started feeling sorry for The Giver the more we got to know about him.
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