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Summary: The Giver review
Review: In response to the book The Giver, I have to say this. My virtual high school class is discussing how this book relates to folklore and the lack of it in this society. This book well reflects what will happen to society without the influence of folklore. I enjoyed it because the main character comes to a better realization about the world that he lives in and gets to decide things on his own. I think that the world of today one day could end up like the world in The Giver if we are not careful about what we do. This book may be on the elementary level but it is still an excellent book to read.
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Summary: THE 'GIFT' TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION
Review: The first time I read THE GIVER in 1994, I was absolutely mesmerized. What a compelling idea--a story similar to 1984, only with a darling twelve year old boy (Jonas) who is selected to receive all the memories of his community. What on earth does this mean? Evidently this story takes place in the future where everything is the same. People are all drugged so that they have no emotions. They no longer see a world in color; people who are old or sick are terminated. Only one baby is allowed to survive from a multiple birth. Only certain women are allowed to give birth; the baby is given to a selected man and woman to raise. When the child reaches maturity, the 'parents' are sent to live with other childless couples. There is no love, no pain, not even grandparents. The elders make all decisions. People don't even select their careers.
At the age of twelve, Jonah is chosen to receive all the memories of preceding centuries from the grandfatherly 'giver of memories.' Anyone reading this book will know immediately why Lois Lowery received the Newbery award, which is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The first review I ever read for this book was in the newspaper. The article stated that THE GIVER would become a classic and suggested that readers immediately buy first editions (for an investment). After reading my copy, I bought books for both of my teenagers for Christmas. I loved the book and I really loved the fairytale ending. But then, not too long ago, I started reading some of the reviews on Amazon. People were complaining about the sad ending! What did I miss? When I read an outstanding book, I have a tendency to read way too fast. I can't help it; the better the book, the faster I read. I just can't wait to see what happens next! Consequently, I miss a lot. But, if the book is really outstanding, I'll eventually re-read it, savoring every word. Subsequently, I slowly read THE GIVER again, and now, I'm really not certain about the ending. Did Jonas live happily ever after or was he 'released?' Readers will have to make their own decisions. As for me, I'm going to retain my original, warm fuzzy, happy conclusion and forget I ever read a review!
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Summary: Dark, sick, demented & depressing !
Review: The Giver was one of the most dark, sick, demented & depressing books I've ever read!
It's amazing to me that the publishers would think this type of book would be suitable for "young readers." It was unnerving to read about the euthanasia of infants in the story and also the suicide of a little girl was just plain sick! I was very upset that this was required reading for my twelve-year-old son. I wish authors and publishers will come to realize that you don't have to have darkness and death in a book to provoke thought and emotion. Books with a light subject matter can be just as entertaining! Overall if this book was written for an adult audience I wouldn't have a problem with it. However being that it was targeted towards youths, it was totally inappropriate!
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Summary: Kris - Elementary School Teacher
Review: This was a very, very good book. While it's great for 5-6th graders, I wouldn't hesitate to use it with even high school age kids. It's a very interesting commentary on human existence and what if we lived in a world with no choices, no decisions were ours to be made, a world of "sameness". While the community in the book is perhaps at the extreme end of the spectrum it does in some ways parallel the lives that some live in other parts of world. The book makes you appreciate the fact that you do have free choice and that your life is your own to do with as you like, albeit within the realm of the law. The book makes for an interesting discussion about communism, life, and the human condition. It was a very powerful book and it really made you think. I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend this book to any teacher as a read-aloud with their classes or for any middle school/high school teacher as well.
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Summary: Kaitlyn Soligan, VHS Folklore Classroom Review
Review: Lois Lowry's tale of a future without choice, without pain, and without love is a cautionary tale for every generation. The main character, Jonas, learns the value of emotion, growth and choice through memories of the past, highlighting the oft-repeated quote, a favorite among social studies teacher, "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it." Though few of the characters develop into anything more than examples of how a wrold without a past can go terribly awry, the world Lowry creates is a fascinating, frightening example of how choice and freedom are invaluable resources.
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Summary: Courtney E. VHS Review, MHS
Review: This book was a great read. I read this book once in fifth grade, and again this year. While thinking into the book i realized that The Giver is a great example of how society today is starting to mesh together. Everything seems the same. People are starting to look alike, dress alike, sound alike and even act alike. Shared memories are important to any and every culture. Parents and grandparents pass down stories of their past to their children, who will pass their stories on. This ritual has been going on since the beginning of time, and will continue forever.
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Summary: The Giver: in Review from the eyes of a 6th grader
Review: The Giver... um how do I start? Well my teacher assinged us books to read and i was assigned this one. When i first got this i didnt think it would be that good but i soon leared wrong. Lois Lowery is the best author and like all the other books she has written they keep you guessing. This book is so good you cant stop reading.It really teaches that you dont really know things til you live them. it is ssooooooooo good it really is a story of determineation and love. So i strongly advise you to read this!!!!!!!!
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Summary: Sounds like it was written by someone immature
Review: Her style of writing sounds childish and unformed, like a child whining when it feels bad. I thought this book would be similar in thought to 1984, or The Stranger, or maybe some of Herman Hesse's work, but it is not. This book is shameful mockery of literature.
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Summary: Great!
Review: I first read this book in the 7th grade. I liked the world that Jonas lived in. It was completely blank of all colors and feelings, life was absent there. Then when things started changing in the story, when Jonas met the Giver life came back into his world.
This book is beautifully written with imagery and originality.
Ms. Lowry did a fine job with her novel.
I reccomend this book to anyone.
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Summary: The GIver was a good book
Review: The giver was a wonderful, riveting book. It was an easy read that I finished in three days. The giver showed what the world would have been like without memories, emotions or qualities a person holds that makes them unique. Everyone was protected from what might have hurt them in any way. It was strange but the book was excellet. I rated it as a 5.
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