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The Giver

Submitted by admin on Sun, 10/11/2009 - 4:16pm
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Author: Lois Lowry
Publisher: Laurel Leaf (2002)
Binding: Mass Market Paperback, 192 pages

Jonah lives contently in a carefully controlled world until he learns details of the world beyond and past from a man in his community. As Jonah learns more about this foreign world and foreign ideas, he becomes more alive, even though his life is made more difficult as a result.

This book provides an interesting look at a regulated world in which choices, emotions, the unexpected, and desires are all planned for and managed. Wouldn’t it be great if there were no suffering in our lives? Well, yes, but look what it takes to get there. The book explores the consequences of an “ideal” world, making for excellent discussion about the tradeoffs of a life of freedom.

Best Audience: 
Boys & Girls ages 9-14
Parts that might raise objections: 
there is a subtle reference to the boy beginning to sexually mature
Ideas you will want to discuss: 
conformity, free choice, government, suffering vs. freedom
Discussion Questions: 

Would you prefer to live in this community or your own?

Why do you think there was a Giver at all? Why preserve all of these things?

Would you rather choose your own profession, or would you prefer for others to choose for you?

What would be the good things about living in Jonah’s community? The bad things?

Your rating: None
Tags:
  • Boys & Girls
  • Conformity
  • Free Choice
  • Suffering
  • Age 9
  • Age 10
  • Age 11
  • Age 12
  • Age 13
  • Age 14

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