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.

A Closet Cross Examination

DA: So Miss Bray, I see that your closet is quite...unorganized.

NB: Uhm...yes sir.

DA: I see here that you have repeatedly stored uncommon closet items in this space for several years now.

NB: Yes sir. I suppose I have.

DA: Do you not find anything odd about that?

NB: About what, sir?

DA: Miss Bray, could you tell me what this is?

NB: It is an unpacked box, sir.

DA: Hmm...suspicious. And could you tell me what is in it?

NB: Just some stuff from my old house.

DA: You mean to tell me that after living in this house for three and a half years, you still have not unpacked all of your belongings.

NB: I guess not.

DA: Hmm...suspicious. And these clothes...could you tell me where they were stored.

NB: I believe they were just sitting in my suitcase. Oh, and those were thrown on the shoe shelf. And that shirt was on the door knob.

DA: So it is true that you don't actually place things in your closet in a controlled manner?

NB: Well, yes.

DA: Upon entering your closet, we also found a roll of duct tape, an abandoned Mr. Potato Head, and a witch's hat. Tell me Miss Bray, are you a witch?

NB: Not that I know of.

DA: Well then why do you have a witches hat in your closet?

NB: I am not sure sir...

DA: Hmm...suspicious.

Hope to Me

a song warms my very
being

the music flowing through
my soul

and the words piercing
my heart

Celebration

I find cause to celebrate when I have worked hard to pull something off. Since January, I have been working hard every day on my part in The Sound of Music. I would walk around my house going over my part in the music that I sang, or I would run through my lines in my head.

All of my hard work paid off, because recently my high school performed our play. We had great audiences each night, and no matter what little snags we ran into along the way, we always got to the end with great results. Though I am extremely sad that the play is over, I am happy that my friends and I were all able to try hard enough to have a wonderful show.