The Giver

[Salus]

I just finished reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. My wife had bought it from the store along with a couple of other books for my oldest son, who is 10, to read. We had heard many great reviews of the book from friends we trust. I must say that I enjoyed the book but it was a little disturbing at times.

I am curious if...

(1) Has anyone else read this book?
(2) For those that may have read it, what are your thoughts on the book?
(3) For those that may have read it or had their kids read it, is it appropriate for a 10 year old?

[Clarice]

I just finished reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. My wife had bought it from the store along with a couple of other books for my oldest son, who is 10, to read. We had heard many great reviews of the book from friends we trust. I must say that I enjoyed the book but it was a little disturbing at times.

I am curious if...

(1) Has anyone else read this book?
(2) For those that may have read it, what are your thoughts on the book?
(3) For those that may have read it or had their kids read it, is it appropriate for a 10 year old?

I was guided to read this book (really - I was compelled while in a bookstore to pick it up and begin reading it, and when I tried to leave the bookstore without it, I couldn't - I had to go buy it and take it with me)

After reading, I had not a clue why it was important, but Christ in me kept telling me it was important. It took years of inner teaching and learning to finally get it.

The message is Universal - it is the message of salvation, in detail, but not what I was taught about salvation in Sunday school. After realizing what this book was about, I contacted Ms. Lowry, who said that many others had also shared how this story touched something spiritual within them. Ms. Lowry said that the book came from a place deep within herself, one which she does not understand and rarely touches.

Age 10 might be too young to read this particular book. But since the story is Universal - the same or similar is found in multiple stories and myths and legends across the globe and once you understand, you might be able to find other stories that are more age appropriate.

For age 10, I recommend The Chronicles of Narnia and some of Madeleine L'Engle's books - A Wind in the Door and A Wrinkle in Time, all which address the same essential truths.

And I recommend reading them together and encouraging the child to share what their heart sees.





C

[Storico]

I read this book as a ten year old, and didn't like it at the time. It struck me as odd, and I wasn't much interested. I read it again ten years later, and liked it quite a bit. There's a good bit of symbolism in it, and a deeper message, and the ending can be interpreted in different ways. I'm honestly not sure it's good reading for a ten year old. There's nothing inappropriate in it that I can recall, and nothing I'd be up in arms over a ten year old reading if he or she really wanted to.... but it never clicked with me then. It never made me think. I never cared to analyze it or wonder about it. Years later I did, and found it a lot more interesting. My verdict is that it's written from a child's perspective, but it's a story written for people who wonder about the order of things, and who are interested in symbolism and individualism and political power and freedom. If an occasional child happens to be one of those people who is interested in that stuff, then by all means, they might enjoy the book. Most probably won't love it or read it over and over again.

[Salus]

Thanks, Clarice and Storico. I think I'll wait before letting him read it unless he keeps asking me where I put it. I liked the book because it forces you to think about things. However, I must admit, even I was a bit disturbed about a certain scene later in the book. I won't say what it's about so that I don't spoil it for others that may want to read it but I think you know which one I'm talking about. He has the Narnia books now and likes them. I'll have to look into the Madeleine L'Engle books.

[Middle Aged C]

The Giver was required reading for all three of my high schoolers. They liked it. I have not read it.

[Storico]

Salus, also look for the Joona series. He's just the right age for it. :smile:

Journey to Joona, The Defenders of Joona and The Crown of Joona were all written by Kim Engelmann, and they remind me of the Narnian books, except with a swan rather than a lion. :hehe: As a 10 year old, I loved them.

[Saetan]

I am curious if...

(1) Has anyone else read this book?
(2) For those that may have read it, what are your thoughts on the book?
(3) For those that may have read it or had their kids read it, is it appropriate for a 10 year old?

"The Giver" is a wonderful book. With literature it is always difficult for parents and teachers to properly judge what is appropriate for them to read--which is why we have school officials doing outlandish things like banning books.

As "The Giver" is concerned I read it at a very young age and found it profound. The book touches on the importance of memory and that if one does not remember pain then it is as though one has not lived it. It is a fundamental ideal in life that without pain one cannot grow and change--it is a large aspect of life. The society in "The Giver" decides to eliminate all pain and thus they created a society that is black and white and conformed.

Another aspect of the novel is about individuality. As you notice while reading the society seems placid--but it is devoid of strong conviction or character. Often young teenagers are attempting to break out of their shell and make their own identity for themselves and the book calls out to that struggle. Essentially the novel is very pro-loving differences and celebrating in how dynamic humanity really is.

The society that Jonas lived in was devoid of pain, prejudice, injustice and hate but what they have sacrificed for that is love. The book is a much easier version of the Allegory of the Cave by Plato. If one has lived in darkness their whole lives they will rebuke the idea of colour and light merely because it is unfamiliar to them. The author pushes for readers to understand that the world is not a cave, but is is diverse and colourful and one should understand that pain and injustice and an important aspect of it.

I really think it is important for children to read books--in general. This book especially because it shows children at an early age that life is not simple and it is dire to accept change and pain because it helps you grow as a person. If you'll notice the time frame that Jonas lives in is called "Sameness" where people have been convinced to believe that to be the same is good.

Which it isn't. That's the main symbol in the novel to embrace diversity among people. Colour shows the diversity and depth of all people and feelings. The author pushes for people to understand that we should not repress human emotion or natural feelings because that is a part of who we are.

So--yeah. That's what I get for double-majoring in Literature. "The Giver" is still one of my most favourite books. I would suggest it to any parent looking for a book for their ten year old to read.

[Jaggery]

I read it in fifth grade. The book interested me, but I merely enjoyed the story. Looking back, and after reading Gathering Blue and Messenger, I realize The Giver and its counterparts are deeper than they appeared in elementary school. The universal hope for a clean slate or renewal, and universal existence of struggle, allow us all to identify with it. It also brings up how grand and frightful the human experience is.

I think it should be given to kids a few years older. The material isn't objectionable to ten year olds, of course. I simply think, along with many in the thread, that there is more to The Giver than might meet the pre-teen eye.

In Christ,

Kyle

[T-Shirt Ninja]

However, I must admit, even I was a bit disturbed about a certain scene later in the book..

I imagine it was the "Bye, bye, little guy," scene. Yeah, that was pretty crazy.

I read it as a teenager as well. I remembered my fifth grade teacher years ago saying how great it was and I picked it up and read it in about 2 days. Definitely a profound book. I'm not sure a ten year-old would totally understand it. However, I think it's great for someone like a High Schooler.