The Giver Reviews

Wow!  Lois Lowry is an awesome writer!  The Giver takes a look at a Utopian society.  Throughout the story, wonderful opportunities for discussion arise.  My 10 yr. old son and I had many 30 minute or longer conversations about this book.  It was part of his Reading curriculum in 5th grade.  He kept a reading journal about the story, as did the other students in his class.  He has reread it since the first reading.  He has not done this with very many chapter books or novels!  This book provokes thought and holds attention!  Great… read full review »

     "The Giver" is one of my all time favorite books.  I am not an avid reader.  I have never been one, but when I first was required to read this book in the sixth grade, I have loved it ever since.  In fact, when I was in 6th grade, I would get into trouble because I kept reading ahead. —      I couldn't help it, it is a wonderful thought provoking, and quick page turning book!  I found myself identifying with Jonas, feeling as though I have a huge calling but not knowing where or how that calling will come to be. … read full review »

This may be the best of Lois Lowery's books. Its setting is reminscent of Huxley's Brave New World. The individual vs society theme has never been explored this well before for readers on an elem/mid school level. Images from this book echo through your mind long after the book is over. It is wonderful to re-read. I have taught it in my 7th grade classroom and never had a student dislike it. I have had students stunned, moved, and crying at the end of it. This is a very powerful book. My students seek out the rest of the series when this one ends. Also in series: Gathering Blue and Messenger.… read full review »

This book is one of my favorite books. I love this author because he does such a great job of imagining all the things and being so ellabrite and precise. This book is amazing! It talks about a boy who lives in a perfect place and he is chosen to become the giver. The giver is the person that holds all the memories of what a regular world is like. The giver hands over some memories he has kept to the boy and the boy is amazed by all of these things. There are good and bad memories, the boy hasn't felt pain untill he held some of the bad memories. This is a truly great story that teaches to be… read full review »

I read all the time at every chance in the doctors waiting office, while oil is changed, when ttraveling, and tis book is a mind chanllenger.  I have read this book on four different occasions all with at least a reasonable time lapse and I have gottena different and yet positive experience after each reading.  Perhaps the changes in thought have been consistent when my changes in life at the time.  My children 18 and 24 have read the book with their 13 year old brother and have had some excellent converstaions about the book.  I highly recommend this… read full review »

This book is so amazing that I have all my friends read it. I have loaned out so many copies that I've never gotten back that I have quit counting. This is written on a junior high level, but is an excellent read for all ages. The concepts with in are good for adolescents and adults alike. Many of the more complicated concepts will not be understood by many until adulthood which is one reason I love this book so much. You can read it over and over across the years and continue to get new things out of it every… read full review »

I read this book in highschool, and thought it was absolutly amazing. The irony of the way of life is great. I loved the atmosphere of it all. It makes the you think about what life would be like if you took away just about every single feeling there is, and made you believe that there was a certain way to do everything, and thats just how it is. It will make you cry in some parts, and laugh at others, but is an all around great… read full review »

One of the few books I've come across that holds as much appeal for adults as it has for children. Lowry's glance at a fictional utopia (or dystopia? Your call.) offers insight on the drive and purpose of humanity that is rarely expressed in a comprehensible form. A Newbury award winner, it would be easy to pass this novel off as a children's book, but I come back to it year after year for its excellent story… read full review »

I love recommending this book to my students.  This is such a great book about thinking about what is real and what is 'presented.'  I use this to encourage students to form their own thoughts and opinions, not just those they are told, or exposed to. — I highly recommend anyone reading this.  I just read this last year, and I still think about it from time to time. —… read full review »

The Giver is a fabulous novel! I introduced it to my grade six class, and the students loved it just as much as I did. The plot is thought-provoking, and the novel has lots of interesting points of discussion. A great introduction to the concept of utopian fiction! The book is a relatively easy read, but once you start it is impossible to put down. I would highly recommend this… read full review »

appears to be a small book but  can cause some very interesting  conversations.  i used this book last summer for reading program with high risk teenagers. they couldn't put the book down. at end of reading the book,  used the open-ending for them to make their own endings. each one gave fantastic… read full review »

This is a fantastic book.  I love how Lowry is able to take such a far fetched society and make it real.  The development of Jonas throughout the story captures the reader.  The ending leaves the reader thinking and has room for great discussion between… read full review »

While I loved this book, I thought it was one that could easily depress someone. — It's insights are priceless though and what you gain is worth every tear.  Certainly is a book that makes you think outside of the box. —… read full review »

This has got to be the best book I have ever read in my life.   It keeps you interested the whole time and has a great message that no world can ever be perfect, and that's the way it is supposed to be.  I read this book as a kid and reread it now, and I was just as interested this time as last… read full review »