The Giver - Lois Lowry

[colleensarah]

The Giver is a truly excellent. I read it in gradeschool and have re-read it multiple times. I cannot think of anything innapropriate, but since it’s such a short book it would be pretty easy to read along with your children. It’s a great book for middle and high school readers because it is easy to read, but it contains mature ideas (note: I mean mature as in “sophisticated,” not as in “for mature audiences only”). It is certainly a book worth reading and discussing.

 

[KCT]

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 would not give it to my 5th graders. So far, having my 7th graders read it has worked out well.

 

[colleensarah]

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?

I think it depends on your daughter. There’s a lot in it she might not get, but I don’t think anything is inappropriate. I read it myself in 5th or 6th grade (can’t remember which), and I understood it because I’ve always read above my grade level, but going back and re-reading it now that I’m older, I picked up on a lot more subtleties. I would highly recommend that you just read it along with your daughter, perhaps staying a chapter or two ahead. I’m a very traditional person, and I found nothing offensive, but this way you can make sure it fits the values you want your daughter to learn.