The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is a book that will still be around when Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is completely forgotten. While the book is found in the Young Adult section at the Bartlett Public Library, it is a great read for all ages. It’s one of those stories with two levels to it. I first found this wonderful tale in 5th grade, and enjoyed the plot of a “perfect world” which turned out not to be that perfect. When I reread it in my freshman year in high school, I could see the subtle hints of what could be described as Communism, with everyone pretty much the same, differences frowned upon. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who would inquire about it.
This book starts out with the main character, an “Eleven” (that is, a kid in his eleventh year in life) named Jonas. In his world, people don’t choose their own spouses, jobs nor have their own children. When you turn Twelve, you are assigned your job, and as you mature, you are allowed to apply for a spouse.
Jonas, like all of the other Elevens in his group, is excited for his Assignment, which is given to all children at the end of their 11th year of life. He is given a special job, one that is not given to a person every year—he is to become the new “Receiver of Memory”. What a Receiver is, and what Jonas learns about his comfortable world, you will have to read the book yourself to find out!
Heather
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