The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver examines deep and foundational questions through a dystopian framework.

The Giver by Lois Lowry.  Laurel-leaf.  Reprint ed, 2002.  192 pgs.

• Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12
• Recommended For: ages 10-15

This review was originally posted as part of our summer reading program in 2014. Valen Caldwell, an intern at the time at Breakpoint, kindly put together our content and questions below. 

Have you ever thought about what it’d be like to live in a perfect world? In a sense, it’s something we all want. A perfect world would mean everyone is provided for, and there would be no crime, conflict, or injustice. But what would be the cost of such an ideal world? In Lois Lowry’s book The Giver, 11-year-old Jonas is living in such a utopian community. Yet everything in Jonas’s life is decided for him, down to what he eats, how he feels, how he dresses, and what life assignment or job he will be given. In Jonas’s community, perfection comes at the cost of individual freedom, diversity, quality of life, and sanctity of life. In The Giver, it is painfully clear that utopia is actually quite dystopian.

Every December, Jonas’s community holds a two-day ceremony for children up to the age of twelve. In the ceremony, children receive a different recognition or reward, depending upon their age, to celebrate their next step in life. The ceremony of twelve is the last and most important ceremony for children, as the twelves receive their life assignment and are officially thanked for their childhood. There are many options for life assignments, but the assignment Jonas receives is special and frightening. It will change his life—and the community—forever.

Jonas’s assignment leads him to a man called the Giver. Together the Giver and Jonas will ask the hard questions. Should a society sacrifice all differences in order to preserve sameness? Should a society give up love and beauty just so as not to experience pain and sadness? For Jonas and the Giver, these questions and their answers will guide the entirety of the future.

The first time that I read The Giver I was about 10 years old; now as an almost 20-year-old rereading the book, I have to say I enjoyed it just as much the second time! The Giver is a fascinating spin on the traditional dystopian story line. This is not simply a kid-friendly remake of 1984 or Brave New World; The Giver is unique in that it crafts the dystopian story through the eyes of a child. But don’t let the simplicity fool you—this story examines deep and foundational questions in such a way that you will personally be engaged and enlightened, yet your child can grasp the same concepts as well. It is a book that can help people at many and various levels entertain deep consideration for some of life’s greatest concerns. Can we eliminate all evil in the world? Who decides what is best for a community? What will become of Jonas and the Giver on their journey together? You’ll enjoy the read to find out, and it’s likely that your own considerations on some of the weighty issues of life will grow thereby.

Considerations:

• Worldview and Disturbing Images: people are “released” in The Giver instead of dying. Essentially, it’s state-sanctioned euthanasia. Jonas watches his father “release” an infant twin. This is perhaps the most disturbing part of the story for young readers.
• Sexuality: Everyone from puberty on up takes special pills to help repress feelings; it’s not a difficult leap to realize this includes most sexual attraction/romantic feelings. It’s not graphic, some young readers may not grasp the significance, and those ready to read this book should handle this part just fine.

Bottom Line:  A sweet and satisfying story of making lemonade from a big lemon.

Discussion questions:

• What do you think would make a perfect world? Should Christians strive for that?  How?
• How does Jonas know what is true?  How do we know what is true?  If we didn’t have the Bible to give us God’s morality, how would we know what was right and wrong?
• How do you think Jonas’s perspective on his community changes by the end of the novel? What causes the change in his perspective?
• In Jonas’s community, sameness is very important to perfection. How do you think we should view the differences of those around us?

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• Review: Need something a little less intense (philosophically), but no less intense in the sense of action-packed read? Check out Wake Up Missing by Kate Messner.
• Reviews: Brand New Boy by David Almond asks similar questions as The Giver relating to what makes us human.
• Resource: Check out similar titles on our Authority and Anarchy booklist.

We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.

You may purchase The Giver on Amazon