The Giver

Over the past year, I have been required to read a number of books with all kinds of messages. Some books have been about who we are as people, others science fiction with clues to the future, but one of the most touching and well written stories we have read is Lois Lowry's The Giver.



Jonas is an Eleven, and he is very anxious about the upcoming ceremony of the Twelves. In his world, turning twelve means growing up. It means slowly leaving the world of childhood and entering training for a future occupation. Jonas attends his ceremony to learn his future job, but is shocked when his identity number is skipped at the assignment. But he need not worry, because he is soon announced as the new Receiver of the Memory, the most honored position in all of the city. Throughout his training, memories of olden times are transmitted to Jonas, and he is given all the pain and suffering and all other unknown emotions that were known in past times, but not in his own.

Themes of controversy were represented throughout the book. Choice and freedom was a big issue between Jonas and the Giver. After the idea of choice was presented to Jonas, he began to wonder why the people in the community were not allowed to make their own decisions, such as their occupations or their spouse. He debated with himself over the pros and cons of choice, thinking that it would not be safe for people to decide because they might not make the right decisions.

Another controversial issue brought up in the book was euthinization. When a person in the community became to old, or if a newchild was not acceptable, the were released. Everyone in the community viewed this as wonderful for the old and sad for the young. In their minds, the concept of release was just a transport to another community. Jonas learns later that during release the life of the person is taken away, which introduces him to the concept of death.

The Giver was an exceptional, life-changing book, and I would recommend it to anyone, young or old.