Genre Six

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lowry, Lois. 1993. THE GIVER. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0395645662.

PLOT SUMMARY:
In the community where Jonas lives life is uncomplicated and planned for its citizens. Every aspect of the community is decided by a group of Elders. When each citizen turns twelve, they are told what their job assignments will be for their future. Jonas is nervous about the ceremony where he will receive is job assignment but becomes confused when his name is not called. He soon realizes that he has been chosen for a special job as “The Receiver. “ Through his training for his job, Jonas learns that there is more to life than the “sameness” he has been taught all his life. Soon he knows about things he has not known before like pain, happiness, grief, and love. Jonas will soon have to make a choice that will change his life

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
THE GIVER is a modern fantasy novel that takes place is a community that could be located anywhere in the world. The reader is never told the name of the community or given any clues as to where it is located. The weather is always the same, seasons never change, and time is known to pass only as characters let the reader know. This setting is crucial to the story because it lends itself to the plot of the story.

The original plot by Lois Lowry gives a believable account of a utopia that could occur in the future. Though the main character is a young boy, readers of all ages will enjoy the story set in a perfect world with perfect people. THE GIVER, although a fantasy, will have readers questioning their own lives and the world they live in. Would a utopian society be better than the society we live in now?

The story is told from the point of view of Jonas, a young boy about to receive his job assignment for his adult life. He conveys all of his concerns and fears about such a big change in his life to readers who will identify with this character. Jonah tells the story through his thoughts and observations. He is a likeable character and most readers will sympathize with his struggles as he learns what is expected from him in his new profession and will root for him when he makes his life altering choices.

The story reveals the struggles Jonas faces; should he remain in his community even when he learns that they are living a “lie” or should he leave and seek a more meaningful life where he can make choices? This struggle with choice becomes a recurring theme in the story. Suddenly a young boy learns that his entire life, everything he knows, has been construed to fit a model. Not only must he deal with the new knowledge but he must also make choices that will affect his future and possibly those around him.

This simple story is told in a straight forward manner that leaves the reader with questions throughout the novel. Even the ending leaves the readers with questions. Will Jonas and Gabe reach civilization? What will happen to them next? Ms. Lowry allows the reader to make his or her own conclusions to the story by weighing the facts and making their own judgments.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
1994 Newberry Medal Winner
An ALA Notable Children's Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book
A Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare
The Regina Medal
An IRA-CBC Children's Choice
An NCTE Notable Trade Book for the Language Arts
An NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies

Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"Lowry is once again in top form... unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers."

The New York Times
"A powerful and provocative novel.”

The Horn Book Starred Review
"The theme of balancing the values of freedom and security is beautifully presented.”

Booklist Starred, Focus Review
"The simplicity and directness of Lowry's writing force readers to grapple with their own thoughts.. . ."

CONNECTIONS:
Use THE GIVER in a creative writing assignment. Have students write their own ending to the story that describes what they think happens to Jonas and Gabriel.

This novel can be used in the study of utopias. Have students compare and contrast the utopia from the book with other real life utopias that are studied in class.

Have students create their own utopias either individually or in groups. Have them describe in detail where the utopia will be located, who will live there, the rolls that will be assigned to members, and other aspects of daily life. Use these utopias as topics of class discussions and compare them to Jonas’ world.