The Giver

The Giver Reviews


by Lois Lowry



Overall 5 star rating4.79 of 5 (by 19 users)



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The Giver Review Summary

A staple on school required reading lists and, paradoxically, occupying more than one banned book list, Lois Lowry's The Giver follows the life of Jonas, a twelve year old in a seemingly Utopian society, who is entrusted with the position "Receiver of Memory". He is guardian who stores all the societies memories from before the time of "Sameness". As the story progresses, it is apparent society is utopian in name only, but is, instead dystopian, as all elements of emotion are removed from society and men and women are chosen for marriage based on some standard that promotes safety and harmony over individuality. As one reviewer notes, "The individual vs society theme has never been explored this well before" and "This book provokes thought and holds attention! " The Giver is both controversial and enlightening. "it was a great discussion book!! "
79% of people rated The Giver as 5 stars
79% of people rated The Giver as 5 stars%
79%
21% of people rated The Giver as 4 stars
21% of people rated The Giver as 4 stars%
21%
No one rated The Giver as 3 stars
No one rated The Giver as 3 stars%
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No one rated The Giver as 2 stars
No one rated The Giver as 2 stars%
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No one rated The Giver as 1 star
No one rated The Giver as 1 star%
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100% Everyone recommends The Giver Everyone recommends The Giver 0%
 



The Giver Ratings and Reviews

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1
helpful
vote
Compelling, thought-provoking classic

APR
13
2008
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. Some... review »
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5 star rating
reviewer
booksaver
Albuquerque, NM



1
helpful
vote
Thought provoking--a great read!
a fan of clever plots

JUL
29
2008
I had to read this book for a children's literature class in college and I loved it!  When I was teaching Bible to 5th graders a couple of years later, one of them posed the question "if we can be evil, why does God give us choices?".  I read this book to them and we discussed how life would be if everything we did was the same and we were not given any kind of choices.  There would have to be the absence of love.  I did have to skip over a couple of parts for the sake of keeping the kids from getting giggly (bath dream, etc).  It has mature moments in it, so I would not recommend it to young... review »
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4 star rating
reviewer
libsbeth
Orlando, FL



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1
helpful
vote
One of the best books my son and I have read!
reading non-fiction, a fiction reader, avid reader, listening to books on tape, a green thumb, vacuum queen, Army wife...hooah!, a homeowner

JUN
9
2008
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!
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5 star rating
reviewer
gijoeswife
Oakland, MD



D
Deep, insightful story
an avid reader

SEP
13
2008
The Giver is truly a book worth reading. It takes place in a perfect, futuristic world where such things as pain, color, and even love, don't exist. Not much else to say without giving a lot away. Just read it. :P
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5 star rating
reviewer
musikfi3nd
Schenectady, NY



D
Surprisingly AMAZING!! Immediate Favorite!
avid reader

SEP
1
2008
This book never slows down and is clever. AMAZING!
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5 star rating
reviewer
smeagol3137
Sarver, PA



D
A thought provoking classic that I love to read over and over!
a fan of clever plots, read for fun, fiction reader, a busy person, Every day computer user, not rich

NOV
22
2007

     "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.  Jonas travels through some difficult ethical questions, finding more...

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4 star rating
reviewer
kasandralee
Perry, KS



D
Thought-provoking novel.
an avid reader

DEC
23
2008
I recently chose The Giver for my book club book based on a recommendation from a friend. This book was haunting in its examination of how people interact with each other and what would happen if the powers that be regulated how we act, where we live, who our parents are, and what jobs we have throughout life. The main character, Jonas, is given the job of receiver, a job in which he meets the giver and goes through the process of receiving information the giver has. Jonas goes through a transformation as he realizes what is happening in his community. This is a great book for teaching middle school/high... review »
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5 star rating
Rachelgators
Longwood, FL



D
Amazing, inspiring, book!
a sci-fi buff, into romance novels, reading non-fiction, a fiction reader, avid reader, an avid reader, re-reading the classics, reading Oprah's picks

JUN
5
2008
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 imperfect... review »
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5 star rating
reviewer
crazybinacoco
Colton, CA



D
Do not miss an oppurtunity to read
an avid reader, family traveler, love to travel, budget conscious traveler

JUL
21
2008
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 this book to trues avid readers.
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5 star rating
reviewer
sanndyrn
San Angelo, TX



D
thought provoking
a library-goer, chronic book buyer, a fan of quick, page turning books, chronic reader, avid reader, fiction reader, read for fun, a fan of clever plots

NOV
16
2007
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 time.
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5 star rating
reviewer
ejomartin
Springfield, MO



D
great read
avid reader, an avid reader, into romance novels, first time mama

APR
27
2008
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!
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5 star rating
reviewer
ababyinside
La Place, LA



D
Engrossing, easy to read
a fan of clever plots, fiction reader, read for fun, a fan of quick, page turning books, avid reader

NOV
22
2007
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 telling.
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5 star rating
reviewer
stiricide
Bryn Mawr, PA



D
Made me think about a different society
fiction reader, avid reader, Every day computer user, a library-goer, non-fiction reader

NOV
29
2007

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.
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5 star rating
reviewer
ronicajo
Haslet, TX



D
The Giver is a great read for children and adults alike!
avid reader, re-reading the classics

JUL
15
2008
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 book!
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5 star rating
reviewer
theboz
Wichita, KS



D
more than what i expected
reading non-fiction, an avid reader, a sci-fi buff

MAY
25
2008
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 stories.
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4 star rating
reviewer
joycee
Hilton, NY



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