The Giver by: Lois Lowry

Imagine a world that is perfect. Mistakes are instantly corrected and everyone has a role to play in a community that thrives on being alike in nearly every way. The Giver, by Lois Lowry creates this world and gives insight to what life would be like if choices were non-existant. Lowry does an amazing job of captivating the reader. As you turn each page, you become trapped in "The Community" and you want to follow the rules just as all of the memebers do. What is so haunting about the book is the fact that the reader becomes caught up in the functions of the community and the journey that the main character Jonas (12yrs old) makes as the next Reciever (a role chosen for him by the community). The reader feels Jonas's physical pain as he trains to take over this highly regarded role in the community. Jonas is the reciever of all of the memories of the world. Jonas is able to see color, something no one else in the community can do and experience things that no one else would understand. As he lears from the previous Reciever he discovers this ability more. The Giver has short, concise chapters that are perfect for upper elementary students. There are new words that help create and understand Lowry's community and will keep children interested in the story. I cannot rave enough about the insight that The Giver gives to children about what life would be like if freedom of choice was not an option. It is an amazing book that I read as a 6th grader and still enjoy today.

Ages:5th-6th Grade