wonderful book. Great for most teens and some tweens
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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.
updated 07.04.08
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?
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Our Members Say
See all 88 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Lives in IllinoisI rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Not Anywhere Near What It's Chalked Up To Be
I'm sorry, but "The Giver" was one of the most over-rated books I've ever had to read. The thing I can't wrap my mind around is that the parents of our school won't us read great books in class, but when it comes to this pretty bad book, the mention of "stirrings" (we all knew what that meant) didn't make our censor-happy school community get all up in arms. I have to say, the book could be considered thought provoking, but for the fact that the sheer rambling ridiculousness of the book mucked that up.
- Lives in IllinoisI rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Thought provoking
This book is thought provoking and carries many deeper messages that preteens already are thinking about but may not have the ways to express. Themes of individuality, tolerance, empathy, and social and personal responsibility are all presented in this novel. For those who think some of the content is harsh be aware that these are not new ideas being placed into kids' heads, but launching pads from which to start conversations. Personally, I would rather have my son exposed to these things through the safety of a book than anywhere else.
Lives in TexasI rate this title on for age 13 and give itGREAT!
i disagree, the novel was very good in my opinion! i recommend it
- Lives inI rate this title on for age 9 and give it
An excellent book for all ages
I read this book in my grade 6 class with my teacher. This is one of her favorite books and mine also. There is nothing innapropriate about it , its just that it has a hard volcabulary. I think that this book is fine for nine year olds if it is read or explained to them. Most games that children play are worse then this .
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it's educational |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 50% | of parents say it's too violent |
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