it is a very deep and meanigfull peace of acomplishments in my eyes and i was only 12 when i read it. i am 14 now and i look back on the book with a very good understanding in its messeges as even today i look back on them to use in my life as well as others. also the sexuality i heard was so bad was nothing more then i boy describing what he felt for a girl. somthing very non threatening to a child mind of at least 10 above.
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The Giver
(1993, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Lois Lowry)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A riveting utopian novel that's expertly crafted.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Giver
Parents need to know that there is a disturbing scene in which Jonas witnesses his father euthanizing a baby by injecting it with a needle in the head. There are also mild sexual references. But the overall story is riveting -- and the book is one of the most thought-provoking novel for children ever written.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the utopian society depicted in the book. Are the tradeoffs the people have made to get rid of the bad things in life really worth it? What would you be willing to give up in order to have a safe, clean, peaceful society in which everyone is happy and cared for? Do you think Jonas did the right thing? Also, what do you think happens at the end?
Our Members Say
See all 108 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- I rate this title off for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
okay for children 12 and up.
in this book ,Jonas or any other member of the community take PILLS if they need anything, and that isn't right
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
ok
it is only appropriate for middle school or up
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
A correction to an earlier reviewer that made no sense.
I just have to respond to the reviewer who claimed this was a "Communist story." This person clearly does not understand what Communism is. While I personally did not care for The Giver and I am not a Communist, I clearly understand the difference between the false utopian society created by the author and Communism. I wish people would have a full grasp of words, such as Communism, before throwing them around foolishly.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
I just have to respond to the reviewer who claimed this was a "Communist story." This person clearly does not understand what Communism is. While I personally did not care for The Giver and I am not a Communist, I clearly understand the difference between the false utopian society created by the author and Communism. I wish people would have a full grasp of words, such as Communism, before throwing them around foolishly.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 40% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 40% | of parents say it's educational |
| 30% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 30% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
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