Click to Go Back to search resultsBack to search results
The Giver by Lois Lowry (2002, Paperback...
Photo contributed by #M#.This product photo was contributed by the community member attributed here.
Enlarge
 
Add to wish listAdded to your wish listError in adding. Try again.Adding
Product description:Full product description
Set in a completely controlled, soothingly pleasant society, THE GIVER takes readers into a world free of such things as conflict, hate, and disappointment. At age 12 all resi...Read more
Most relevant review:
See all reviews
rating
A Thought-Provoking, Enlightening Parable for Our Times
Lois Lowry's novel "The Giver" is an artfully crafted, controversial story about life not always being what it seems. Using subtle literary devices, Lowry introduce...Read more
rating
The first in a great series!
This is the first in a loosely formed series by Lois Lowry. This book chronicles the life of Jonas, who lives in a future time and place. Each child in the society has a spe...Read more

The Giver by Lois Lowry (2002, Paperback, Reprint)

Author: Lois Lowry | Publisher: Laurel Leaf | Language: English
This product is currently Not Available
I'm only interested in this item
Notify meNotify me
when more items become available
or
I have one of these
Sell one like thisSell one like thisSell one like this
View Best Selling in Children & Young Adults

Product description

Synopsis
Set in a completely controlled, soothingly pleasant society, THE GIVER takes readers into a world free of such things as conflict, hate, and disappointment. At age 12 all residents are given their Assignment, or their adult role in the community--some are Nurturers who care for the young children, others are Laborers, still others are Doctors, and so on. Jonas, however, is given a very special Assignment; he is the new Receiver, which means that he will hold all the memories of life. The retiring Receiver, who will now be known as The Giver, will literally place these memories into Jonas' mind. As Jonas receives memories from The Giver, he begins to understand more about the community in which he lives, and starts to question if a society without a true understanding of the complexities and realities of life is really so perfect after all. A reflection on individualism and freedom of choice, THE GIVER acknowledges and celebrates the importance of both the positive and negative experiences of a fully lived life. Winner of the 1994 Newbery Medal.

Key Details
Author:Lois Lowry
Language:English
Publisher:Laurel Leaf
Format:Paperback
ISBN-10:0440237688
ISBN-13:9780440237686

Additional Details
Edition Description:Reprint

Size
Length:179 pages
Thickness:0.5 in
Weight:3.2 oz

Publisher's Note
At the age of twelve, Jonas, a young boy from a seemingly utopian, futuristic world, is singled out to receive special training from The Giver, who alone holds the memories of the true joys and pain of life.

At the age of twelve, Jonas, a young boy from a seemingly utopian, futuristic world, is singled out to receive special training from The Giver, who alone holds the memories of the true joys and pain of life. Teacher's Guide available. An ALA Notable Book for Children & Newbery Medal Winner. Reissue.

Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

eBay Product ID: EPID2457513
Portions of this page Copyright 1995 - 2012 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.
eBay users' reviews
The Giver by Lois Lowry (2002, Paperback, Reprint)
  • Average rating:
    Based on 21 user reviews
  • Rating distributions

  • 5 stars17
  • 4 stars2
  • 3 stars1
  • 2 stars0
  • 1 star1
Relevance|Newest|Popular

All Reviews

A Thought-Provoking, Enlightening Parable for Our Times

Created: 22/02/09
Lois Lowry's novel "The Giver" is an artfully crafted, controversial story about life not always being what it seems. Using subtle literary devices, Lowry introduces the reader to a group of characters- the advisors- who establish "security" within a utopian society. The story arc shows how a powerful few try to protect- manipulate?- people from the risks of making wrong decisions in life through a closely-guarded social structure.

Jonas, the main character, resides in a world where war, disease, and suffering have all been eradicated. His Community strives for "sameness"- a state in which everyone and everything are the same and equal. To help the Community operate as a cohesive unit, each member is assigned a position within society which they mechanically accept. When Jonas finally turns twelve, the Community selects him to be the new "Receiver of Memories." While receiving the memories from the eponymous Giver, Jonas recognizes a different, better way of life and realizes what he and the Community have missed. He decides that something must be done to change their current perceptions through enlightenment of the community.

Although "The Giver" is a Newbery Award Winner, it has seen its share of challenges. Euthanasia, infanticide, and suicide have been considered inappropriate themes for children by some people. Other educators believe that the material is thought-provoking. Ironically, those who have tried to ban "The Giver" have only validated the notion that certain portions of society are suppressive and stifling when considering new ideas.

Lowry presents a powerfully provocative tale, keeping her readers in suspense, while touching their minds. "The Giver" is a worthwhile read for free-thinkers, libertarians, and serves, in many ways, as a parable of our times. While the ending is less than satisfying, "The Giver" is nevertheless a book well worth your time.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

The first in a great series!

Created: 01/09/06
This is the first in a loosely formed series by Lois Lowry. This book chronicles the life of Jonas, who lives in a future time and place. Each child in the society has a special purpose and is assigned a job during a formal adulthood ceremony. As the Receiver of Memories, Jonas is required to bear the burdens of the society as a whole, which proves to be quite difficult. Gathering Blue, the second book in the series, deals with another society living during Jonas' time. The third book, Messenger, ties the two books together. If you had any questions after reading The Giver, Messenger will resolve them.

Kids love it, and I love teaching with it. It is well-written and thought-provoking.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

An amazing book by an amazing author!

Created: 08/05/07
Wow, simply an amazing book.

In a world of sameness there are no feelings, no wars, no colors... The future is told by Lois Lowry in this great book and there's only 2 people who know how the world really was.

Upon turning 12, Jonas has been selected to be the new Receiver... The most honored role in the society. Jonas struggles through his training and wishes he could alter the minds of his fellow society members, he wants to show them that there world now is an ignorant one.

An adventure lies within the text and will take you on a journey from beginning to end.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

Great Bookclub Read!

Created: 08/11/10
Love? Hate? Life? Death? All great themes that are found in The Giver. We used it in our book club and found that most of us loved it and hated it at the same time. It causes feelings of sadness and happiness all within a moments notice. The end will leave you thinking. It caused me to appreciate the freedoms I have and the senses I enjoy. So if you aren't up for a questionable ending, don't pick this one. But if you are curious what life could be like in the near future, then get this book now!
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

Okay.....

Created: 31/10/07
This book is okay in the sense that it makes you think. I heard so much about it I guess I developed high expectations only to be a bit disappointed. Jonas, a young boy, lives in a community where everything and everyone focuses on "sameness" and living very uniformally. Then The Giver comes in contact with Jonas and shows him some experiences outside of "sameness." Well written but the book didn't completely satisfy me. I still felt like I wanted something more.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Report this review

Bubble Opens Help Start of layer
Bubble Help End of layer