The Giver by Lois Lowry
Victoria is 15 years old and an author of two books. She enjoys traveling, drawing, and surfing.
The Giver is, “a powerful and provocative novel,” quotes the New York Times. This book is very different from any other book you will read. Author, Lois Lowry, said it herself. “I was aware that this book was different from the many I had already written.”
In The Giver, Jonas is part of Sameness. This is a town where no one can see color, hear music, or have a choice in what they want to do. They do not know of any other way of life. When the Ceremony of Twelve starts creeping up on Jonas, he becomes curious about what his Assignment, his lifelong job chosen by the Elders, will be. Eventually, the day comes, and he is dubbed Receiver of Memory. The Chief Elder mentions to the crowd pain, hardships, and great honor. Is this good or bad? He comes to find out that it is both. He learns that with great wisdom, comes much pain.
As he goes forward in his training, he discovers that no one in the town has had or can have memories. He goes through joyful experiences, like boats on a lake, sunshine, and snow falling slowly on Christmas. He also feels unpleasant memories. Feelings like war, hunger, death, and extreme pain go through his body, all the while understanding that everyone in the community doesn’t have to undergo these. Then his trainer and the past Receiver of Memory, The Giver, comes up with a way that he can let everyone have a choice and change Sameness to freedom. It will need much boldness, sacrifice, and bravery though. Jonas agrees to do it.
Giving up so much to save his community and giving them so much more than they could ever imagine, Jonas is a hero to both the town and the reader. For tough subjects and emotionally difficult parts, I would recommend this book for 14-15+, depending on maturity.
