The Giver

Lowery, L. (1993). The Giver. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company

This young adult book by Lois Lowery is a multiple-award winning novel. The Giver has received the John Newberry Medal and the Regina Medal, as well as being named a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Notable Book for Children, a Booklist Editor's Choice, and a School's Library Journal Best Book of the Year. It is no wonder that this is a favorite of teachers and students alike.

This book falls in the category of a fantasy chapter book. The story's setting is an unknown time in the future in a community that has no name. The only reference we are given to a name of any place is when conversation about Release arises. This is when we hear about a place called Elsewhere. While the setting may be futuristic, the objects and activities in the story are recognizable to readers today, which adds to the believability of the story. The people in the story use bicycles as modes of transportation, which given the current debates and issues with global warming is acceptable and even understandable. Supplies are still delivered to the community via trucks and an airplane is even seen flying over the community. All of these add to the reality the author strives to provide.

The main character, Jonas, would be classified as being a round character because the reader observes several different aspect to his personality. We see him as a "model" son and brother when he interacts with his parents and sister. He participates in the family gatherings such as the Telling of Feelings and the Sharing of Dreams. We also see the side of him being a friend and companion when he talks and plays with Asher, his best friend. He is very conscious of Asher's feelings and tries not to say things to upset him. Possibly the most important side of his character is when we see Jonas questioning things that are universally accepted by the citizens in the community. We also see him as a serious and responsible person when he endures the assignment of Receiver.

Jonas is also dynamic in that we see him grow and change as an individual through the course of the story. As he gets older he begins questioning the way some of the things in the community are done. One of these is the Ceremony of Release. This happens when Jonas' father talks about the possibility of having to release a child named Gabriel. Once Jonas discovers what releasing a person actually means, he becomes willing to go against the system. The changes that take place within Jonas make this a true coming-of-age story that will appeal to both boys ond girls. This story can be used at many different age levels, depending on the concepts and ideas the teacher wishes to emphasize.