The Giver - Lois Lowry

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Has anyone here read “The Giver”? My daughter was assigned to read this book during summer for their advance English subject for next school year. I plan to read it too but would like to hear (name removed by moderator)uts from others. Thanks and God bless!!!
 
It’s an interesting book. The ending is really rather sad, although hopeful. It asks a lot of questions about the value of suffering, about the nature of individuality and self-direction, about conforming to the will of society. Also, I think, about knowledge and free-will. What kind of information are you looking for?
 
Well, it is directed at teens from the point of view of interests, reading level, and content. There are some difficult parts, but nothing inappropriate I would say. What is the problem they have with it?
 
My kids have all had to read it for Catholic school…None of them liked it.
 
Catholic90 said:
My kids have all had to read it for Catholic school…None of them liked it.
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Really? I guess it was rather heady. It’s would probably make for a rather dull film. Reminds me of THX-1138.

A more indepth novel would have been better I think.
 
I read it a while back. From what I remember, it’s a good little anti-Communist dystopia story. Probably deeper than I am making it out to be, but I didn’t care that much back in middle school.
 
An excellent book, which contains (among other lessons) a chilling reminder of the dangers of euthanasia.

It’s one of the few “teen” books that I still remember and cherish today. And, as a Newbery Medal winner, the critical reception was certainly good as well.

Would such a “pro-life” book receive a similar reception today?
 
Catholic90 said:
My kids have all had to read it for Catholic school…None of them liked it.
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I read it. I am also a teacher in a public school. It has won awards in young persons literature…I just don’t remember which one(s).

It is about a futuristic society who has delegated its past memories, traditons, etc. to the memory of one person…“The Giver”. Late in his life, he chooses someone to take his place and pass these precious memories and information to. Without the Giver, all past knowledge of this society is lost forever, because no one else has cherished it and kept it. The rest of society is “processed” into jobs that are given to them according to what the society dictates. Free will is overpowered by laws.

The dilemma is that the main character is chosen to be the new “giver”. He is, I think, only about 10 years old when his “training” for this begins.

It is a story of “awakening”, “listening to inner self”, “acting on principles of the right of a free will”. It teaches the faults of “following the crowd” without questioning right and wrong. It teaches to the need to listen to your inner voice.

I can understand why this was chosen in your Catholic school. It does require discussion guided by a teacher that will help the student understand these things. The reading level is difficult for low level readers, but OK for high schoolers who are reading at grade level.

The ending does leave one hopeful and with thoughts about how to act in their own lives and maybe even in social situations.

I hope this helps.
 
I read this when I worked in my son’s elementary school library and I loved it. It made me sad and angry at the same time. It would be a good book to provoke discussion and I think you should read it too and discuss it with your daughter.

This book is part of a trilogy. The other two are “Gathering Blue” and “Messenger” . I have them but haven’t read them yet. DD said they were quite good.
 
My 7th graders read it. It is (or used to be) one of the most frequently banned books in schools.

If you go to sparknotes.com you can read a summary.

It does address euthanasia, but one of my 7th grade boys thought, in the end, it was actually pro life.
 
KCT said:
My 7th graders read it. It is (or used to be) one of the most frequently banned books in schools.

If you go to sparknotes.com you can read a summary.

It does address euthanasia, but one of my 7th grade boys thought, in the end, it was actually pro life.
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I don’t think there is any question that it has serious reservations about euthanasia. It doesn’t spell out answers, but good books rarely do, it tends to make them bad books.
 
KCT said:
My 7th graders read it. It is (or used to be) one of the most frequently banned books in schools.

If you go to sparknotes.com you can read a summary.

It does address euthanasia, but one of my 7th grade boys thought, in the end, it was actually pro life.
Click to expand...
As I said, this book requires guided discussion led by a teacher or parent to help the young person understand the pros and cons of the issues brought up. As a Catholic parent, you will want to read the book and talk about these things with your child, but they should be talked about…young adults are in a modern world where these issues may and have come up.
 
I think its an excellent book, and a great middle school read, but I also think it has to be done right. Not that it’ll be dangerous if its not done right; rather, it’ll be quite boring. In the end, though, I think its a great, thoughtful and thought-provoking read. About as philosophical as you can get 7th graders to be.
 
The main character in this book finds that he can’t accept the euthanasia of difficult infants and the elderly that he discovers are secretly done to keep his society peaceful and orderly. The situation comes to a head when he realizes that his father is going to kill a baby that is being fostered in his own family.

As a middle school media specialist, when students returned this book I used to ask them what happened at the end. It was interesting to see the different interpretations they had. Some thought the boy and the baby he rescued found their way to a new and better town. Others thought they died.

When I read the book it certainly kept my interest. It isn’t a story one ‘likes’ but it is memorable.
 
That’s what i love about this forum. 👍

Thanks for all the (name removed by moderator)ut. I do intend to read it myself so i can have a good discussion with my daughter.
 
My daughter was just assigned this book- she’s in 5th grade at a Catholic school. Most of the posts refer to middle school and high school reading levels. Is this appropriate for a 5th grader?
Thanks,
Dave
 
I think that would depend on the teacher or the parent and what kind of discussions go on about the book. I could certainly have read and understood it at that age and it would have done me no harm. If handled well, I think it would be safe, even for an immature or sensitive child.

The boy in the book accepts what he sees as truth; when he realizes what is going on he is upset, shocked. He sees that things are not as they seem, even his own father is part of this and accepts it. He makes a judgment and acts to save an innocent child.

Read the book yourself and see what you think. It’s fairly short. It’s also available on cassette tape. Maybe by now it’s also on CD.
 
I loved this book and read it at the same time my kids were reading it in school. But then, that was before I returned to the church so I can’t really say whether it is appropriate for catholics or not. It is really thought provoking however.
 
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