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I first read this book ten years ago when I was in the seventh grade. I really do not know why I actually read this book because I was not an avid reading back in the day; but, never-the-less, I read it. I remember it being "a good book." I remember it being thought-provoking and interesting. Maybe that was just the class discussion.
+5
Anyway, ten years later, I read it again. Boy oh boy it was excellent! All the powerful scenes returned to me. I remember the imagery that I saw in my head and the feelings that was deep within myself, even as a seventh grader. Now, with my added maturity and life experiences this book still resonates a provocative story.
I remembered the scene with the apple vaguely. I remembered the, dare I say, mind-blowing nature of Jonas (and the reader) learning about this Apple. I remember the memories and learning with Jonas about these foreign "things" and when he starts to classify his "feelings." Reading this book again was not only a walk down memory lane, but it was also a reminder that superb writing and moving books do not need to be 700 pages long and listed in the "big kids" part of the bookstore.
In my opinion, one of the best things about this book is the ability to take it at face value. If you want to develop the deeper messages in the book, and apply some possible ethics and lessons to life, you may do so. However, if you would just like to read an interesting story with wonderful imagery and emotion, you may also do so.
My version of the book also had discussion questions at the end which I quickly glanced over. These questions were generally pretty good and thought provoking. However, many of them are also obvious so most people would have already thought about them or at least realized there was something deeper within those pages.
I find it hard to believe that such a simple book gave me such complex emotions and feelings. What I find harder to believe is that reading it again reminded me that I felt those things ten years ago when I was thirteen years old. I only wish now that I had read more of the required texts in English class.
Good reading,
Plants and Books
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angelodignacio
June 15, 2009
I remember reading this book in the seventh grade also, and thinking that it was interesting. It kept me reading up until the last page, which is pretty impressive. I haven't read it again now that all of the years have passed, but there has got to be a reason that seventh graders still read this book today in their classes. Nice recollection of a book from the past! @MichaelN has a review of Messenger, another one of Lois Lowry's works. Thought you might be interested in that one also.
plantsandbooks
June 17, 2009
There are certain books (or rather certain moments in certain books) that have always stuck with me. The scene with the apple, as I mentioned, is something I will never forget. The writing up until that point had hinted at what was going on, but at that moment the walls came crumbling down. It was like watching the end of Fight Club for the first time! I haven't read any of Lowry's other works. I'll take a look at that review. Thanks!
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The Giver is one of those precious books that affects you differently each time you read it, especially if you have aged between readings. My reaction as a middle school student and my reaction as a teacher preparing to study it in a classroom of my own was could not have been more different. One thing the novel lends itself to is a discussion of utopian/dystopian societies. I was amazed at what my students had to say about something I expected them to struggle with. Jonas … more
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The Giver is one of those few books that are written for children (or so publishers think) but stay with us far longer than regular childhood items of interest. Reading it as an adult gives you a second layer, hidden beneath the veneer of simplicity, that makes you think. In this case, Lois Lowry has made us think about freedom. Both it’s value and it’s consequences. You follow a young boy on the brink of adulthood (after all, this is where most of wish we could change or alter our decisions … more
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While "The Giver" is recommended reading, I honestly do not think anyone can gain more from it than pre-teens and young teenagers. The protagonist, Jonas, is an everyman among the aforementioned demographic. Even if our society doesn't completely mirror the cold and uncaring utopia in the novel, Jonas' ambivalence toward his new understanding is easy for a pre-teen to relate with, and the simplified notion of a small community acting as a microcosm for a dystopic future gives them … more
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Quick Tip by SheilaDeeth.
January 12, 2011
Fascinating. I love the way she created the world without long chunks of history and explanation.
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I really enjoyed this book and I am thinking about rereading it.
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Upon picking up this book when i was young, i knew it was nothing like i had ever read before. I really enjoyed it a lot. It is so different from the repetitive novels that i've found myself picking up time and time again. This short novel is a refreshing read to pick up and give a chance. I do believe it will become an instant classic to young readers as it brings a good message of doing what is right, … more
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The Giver written by Lois Lowry is a very thought stimulating novel. The setting is a village where life appears to be perfect. Society has finally created a utopia. The story is from the point of view of a twelve year old named Jonas. Everyone one in the community is assigned a job and Jonas has been designated a special job and learns about the world around. One of the most intriguing points in this novel is whether or not the community is a good thing or a bad thing. That is for the reader to … more
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I first read this book in the third grade and have been a fan ever since! In fact, I think it had a part in making me insistent upon using precise language. Great for all ages!
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One of those classic-y social sci-fi's. It's a world in the future where life has been made safe by being moderated in the interesting things that can be shared.
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The idea/plot was amazing and creative. It was very easy to understand how their life is compared to ours; very descriptive and interesting.
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plantsandbooks
Thanks for viewing my profile! I am a college administrator that currently works in housing a private university. The main purpose of my job (other than providing a safe and comfortable living environment … more
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