The Giver by Lois Lowry

Genre: Fanciful Fiction
Themes: Individual Identity and Choice, Family
Grade Level: 6-8
Curricular Connections: Social Studies (Any historical hardship), Health (Making Good Choices)

Jonas is approaching the age of 12 in a community where everything is the same. Every family has two children, lives in the same type of dwelling, and experiences the same events at the same time for each age group. As Jonas and the children born the same year as he is approach this milestone, they will all be assigned their part in the community. At the ceremony Jonas gets skipped, and he is worried about what he has done or the reason for skipping his number. He soon finds out the elders of the community have chosen him to have the honorary assignment of Receiver of the Memories. He is to hold all the memories of the past, both good and bad, and can then advise council members when making decisions. He receives these memories from the past Receiver known as the Giver. As Jonas receives memories of the past he learns that the world holds wonderful things that he wants his friends and family to experience like color, holidays, family, love and music. Of course he is not allowed to share these experiences. He also learns of extreme pain and hardships through these memories which puts distance between himself and others he used to feel comfortable with. Jonas learns from the Giver that it is not worth keeping painful memories from the community if it means withholding memories of family and love from them as well. He makes the decision to leave the community with Gabe, a young child under his father’s care as a Nurturer who is not up to par so his release, death, is being planned. The Giver will have to help the community deal with the memories that will be released to them all upon Jonas’ departure. As a weary Jonas and Gabe come upon a new community, Jonas thinks he hears music, giving them hope for a loving future.

Related Works: Gathering Blue, Messenger

Classroom Suggestions:

1. Students can discuss historical events and what our world might be like without the knowledge that they happened.

2. Students can list the pros and cons of not having choices and living in a world such as Jonas’. Look down the list and assign students to debate certain sides.

3. In Jonas’ community they were assigned jobs based on their strengths and interests. We have the choice. Have students fill out a resume for a certain job. You could even hold mock job interviews.

4. Split students into groups and tell them they are to take on the role of the city council members in Jonas’ community. Assign them issues to discuss such as, should we allow family units to have more than two children. You could also assign one student as The Receiver of Memories to give council to the group.