This book is supposedly for young adults, but, frankly, is so scary I'm not sure I'd recommend a teen-ager read it. It has won a half dozen major literary awards, and clearly deserves them; is probably going to become a classic distopia like 1984 or BRAVE NEW WORLD.
-----From back cover:-----
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.

The plot of this book has been described, well and often, in the editorial and customer reviews already posted, and I will not repeat that.
The Giver earned five stars from me on two points: technical quality and content. Technically, this book is very well-written, with a fast pace, no lulls, three-dimensional characters, a well-described setting, and no plot contradictions.

It is the story content that really elevates this book to five-star quality, however. Diversity and conformity are issues that surround us, in the news, in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in government and politics, and in the courts. "The Giver" puts the debate under a microscope, and it leaves room for no simplistic answers. It portrays an artificial society where diversity has just about been abolished. It depicts the benefits of that society, the shortcomings of it, and the internal conflicts caused in the mind of the protagonist. "The Giver" gives no answers, but gifts us with a wonderful way to look at an important question. This is a great book for a classroom project, or for a parent to read with his/her child. There are discussion questions listed at the end, that can be used as a launching pad for an intellectual exploration of the issues portrayed.

A non-spoiler spoiler: The end is intentionally ambiguous. While I have decided, for myself, what the ending means, each reader must make his/her own decision on what happened at the end.

It's not a Newbery Award Winner for nothing, folks. This story makes you think. Really think. About really deep stuff, like the right of human choice and the difference from right and wrong. That kind of deep stuff.

Here's the Summery:

"Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community.
When Jonas turns twelve 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's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There's no turning back."

Don't be fooled. Even though this is a 'children's' book, doesn't mean that it's not worth reading. It's seriously deep.

Amazing book! Awesome story line with a wonderful point!

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I first came upon this book in the 5th grade, and while the content is a bit "out there" for some, I believe that this book should be a staple for all young students. This is one a very few books that made me question my own beliefs (at 5th grade!!). It also managed to pull a few tears from my eyes during a very sad section involving the treatment of twins. I would recommend this book to anyone, young and old alike.

I wish I had never read this book and would not recommend anyone else read the book-- it was not harmless and the ideas are very dangerous/troubling. This book should not have received the Newberry Medal Award or be selected for community reads! Also, the author is not willing to discuss the book or the reasons she wrote the book at community presentations.

Very interesting story once it gets started. Very quick read.

I was actually dissapointed by this book. Even though the theme and concept of it is very interesting, I found the actualy story and writing too simple for my own tastes, and the ending a big *too* vague and open.

Wonderful story, very interesting concept. Not sure yet how I felt about the end.

Futuristic, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Story

My son had to read this for his 7th grade class. It sounded so interesting that I had to read it too. It really makes you think about wanting a perfect world. I highly believe everyone should read this.

Definitely my favorite book from my whole grade school reading experience. I'd almost say that despite the label of children's literature, this was the book that made me start loving fantasy and science fiction. It flows and twists and makes you re-think things you thought you knew already. Good read for most teens.

This book will make you think like few others will. Unsettling and riveting. You will never forget this book once you read it.

Really good read. It's a young readers book, but an interesting story with a different perspective on the world.

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