The Giver Book Review

The Giver by Lois Lowry was on a recent list of books that were being made into movies this year.  As I am a firm believer that you should check out the book before the movie, I decided that I would read through the books on the list.  There are a lot so I am not sure if I going to get to all of them but we take a long time to see movies because we don't go to the theater so I guess that means that I have a little longer to read them.  Of course, if you are talking about a movie and I cover my ears and run away, you will know why :)

Jonas lives in a perfect world where everything is controlled.  There are no choices, no hunger, and no war.  Each person is assigned a role in the community and an people who are a burden to the community of sameness are "released."  When children turn a certain age, they are all given the next step of their maturity in the community.  At twelve, the children are given special training to take on their jobs.  Jonas is chosen as the Giver and starts his training which is painful and hard.  It changes his whole view of the world and now there is no unknowing the information that he has learned.  I don't want to give away this short book so you will have to pick it up to find out what happens next.

This book is said to be written for children and young adults but I thought that the subject matter was a little too tough for young kids.  My mom was looking to use in a 5th or 6th grade classroom but decided not to after reading it herself.  She says that kids read it from a different perspective then adults but it seemed really dark and sad through most of the book.  The uplifting parts were quickly crushed by the harsh reality of sameness and the way that the community leads their lives.  I can't tell you it is uplifting but it is worth reading!

When I started reading the book, the way that it was written reminded me a lot of Hunger Games.  The way the society was structured and how the people talked was a lot like Hunger Games so I was looking forward to reading it.  I can't believe that I made it through my childhood and hadn't read this book because it won awards and is very well reviewed.  I can see why they are taking advantage and making this into a movie now because it will probably bring back the book for a second round of interest.  If you are planning on seeing the new movie, I hope that you check out the book first at your local library or bookstore.