One Sentence Summary:
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a dystopian novel about a young boy’s journey to discover the truth about his community and take control of his future.
Book Genre:
The Giver is a Classic and Young Adult Science Fiction novel.
Main Topic of the Book:
The Giver focuses on themes of freedom of choice, the consequences of totalitarianism, and the power of human connection.
Key Ideas:
The Giver opens with the protagonist, Jonas, beginning to lead a more unusual life where all the rules and regulations of his seemingly perfect community are challenged. Through a series of revelations, he uncovers an unexpected truth about the community, learns about the dark secrets hidden beneath its perfection, and discovers the power of human connection.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:
- Part I: Rules and Regimes – At the beginning of The Giver, Jonas is assigned a job as the Receiver of Memory, which reveals the dark realities of his seemingly perfect community. He soon discovers the truth about the rituals and hidden secrets that define the community’s rules and regulations.
- Part II: A Call to Action – Jonas is faced with a moral dilemma when he learns that his community is using babies and young children as lab rats in an experiment to limit its citizens’ freedom. He must now find the courage to help put a stop to the experiment or risk everyone’s freedom.
- Part III: Remembering the Past – Jonas journeys to the far reaches of the world to reclaim the memories of the past that have been taken from the citizens. Along the way, he learns the truth about his own community and discovers the power of human connection.
Key Takeaways:
- The Giver is a thought-provoking story about a young boy’s journey to discover the truth about his community and take control of his future.
- It is an exploration of freedom of choice, the consequences of totalitarianism, and the power of human connection.
- It underscores the importance of courage and personal action in the face of oppressive rules and regulations.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Lois Lowry is one of the most acclaimed authors in children’s and young adult literature. She has won the Newberry Medal twice and is the author of over thirty books, including The Giver Quartet, comprised of The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.
Target Audience:
The target audience for The Giver is young adults aged 13+ who are looking for a thought-provoking exploration of freedom, totalitarianism, and human connection.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
The Giver was first published in 1993 by Houghton Mifflin.