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.
The Giver
(1993, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Lois Lowry)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 |
Have you read it? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
A correction to an earlier reviewer that made no sense.
- 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.
- I rate this title off for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
the Giver, not a book for kids.
This book is not for kids. It is a communist storyline. The members of the society murder infants and the elderly, called releasing. Children bath alert, elderly people in the bathtubs.Boys with women and girls with men. I was horriified that my son read this book and then went to see the play. Luckily, I saw the play, and I am dumbfounded that this story is for kids. My husband and I are going to the principal to discuss this book. Who could possibly award this author ?
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Love it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
Although this book was interesting to read I found it could be confusing to some preteens & younger kids. The author does a great job describing some things the main character didn't know about such as sunburns and snow, but didn't clearly explain the society as well as I thought she should. In the context of the book you do figure out how the society runs but it takes a good part of the book to see that clearly. I like how Jonas reacts to the viewing of his father's job and the courage it takes him to save Gabriel. However, I do not think this book is really appropriate for grade schoolers. I would rate it iffy for 11 & 12 yr olds but ok for 13 and older. I enjoyed the book to some degree but would rather read something else.
- I rate this title off for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Stay Away
Hated it. I think the images of violence against infants and elderly, suicide, etc...outweigh any conversation about government control of our lives.
- I rate this title off for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
Not grade school material
I was quite disappointed that this book was suggested reading for the 4th grade. I thought that the subject of euthanasia was absolutely wrong and the opposite sexes bathing the elderly was inappropriate. I feel that this story could have been told w/o the violence or sexual references. Certainly not for elementary grade school reading.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
A Classic, everyone should read at some point
A truly great book, I think it is appropriate for anyone who can understand the concepts of the book.
- 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
wonderful book. Great for most teens and some tweens
- I 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.
- I rate this title off for age 15 and give it
Not appropriat efor 11 yr olds - maybe 15 yr olds
This site is not looking at the content if it thinks this book is OK for 11 year olds/5th graders. The 2 objectionable parts are sex and infanticide. Sex: This is not appropriate imagery for 11 year olds to read: “”I wanted her to take off her clothes and get into the tub. I wanted to bathe her… The wanting. I knew that she wouldn’t. and I think I knew that she shouldn’t. But I wanted it so terribly. I could feel the wanting all through me.” The dream had felt pleasurable. Though the feelings were confused, he thought that he has liked the feelings his mother had called Stirrings. He remembered that upon waking, he had wanted to feel the Stirrings again.” Infanticide: One passage describes infanticide performed on a "less than adequate" baby: "He pushed the plunger very slowly, injecting the liquid into the scalp vein until the syringe was empty. . . . As he continued to watch, the newchild [sic], no longer crying, moved his arms and legs in a jerking motion. Then he went limp. He [sic] head fell to the side, his eyes half open. Then he was still." Disturbing for me as a parent and not appropriate for 5th graders.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
People misunderstand this Book
I was appalled by a couple reviews on The Giver. People write reviews stating that this book encourages murder and glorifies the death of babies! It does quite the opposite. Yes, the book is very descriptive when it describes the death of a certain child. This description is not meant to glorify death, but rather evoke an emotional response AGAINST this treatment of babies who are flawed. The entire scene was created in order to show the absurdity of it all. This book is not about making kids EXCITED about the death scene. People who write that this novel teaches children that killing flawed people is acceptable are ridiculously mistaken and probably haven't read the entire book. I imagine they most likely skimmed two or three pages and decided what the book was about without any consideration of the actual content. This book teaches children the importance of every individual's life, no matter the flaws. It shows kids that getting rid of differences for the sake of a more peaceful community is not worth it. It teaches us all of the real problem...the inability of society to accept differences. The prescence of differences would not be a problem if everyone could accept them, and we cannot live a whole existence supressing our humanity, as this book brilliantly suggests.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
People misunderstand this Book
I was appalled by a couple reviews on The Giver. People write reviews stating that this book encourages murder and glorifies the death of babies! It does quite the opposite. Yes, the book is very descriptive when it describes the death of a certain child. This description is not meant to glorify death, but rather evoke an emotional response AGAINST this treatment of babies who are flawed. The entire scene was created in order to show the absurdity of it all. This book is not about making kids EXCITED about the death scene. People who write that this novel teaches children that killing flawed people is acceptable are ridiculously mistaken and probably haven't read the entire book. I imagine they most likely skimmed two or three pages and decided what the book was about without any consideration of the actual content. This book teaches children the importance of every individual's life, no matter the flaws. It shows kids that getting rid of differences for the sake of a more peaceful community is not worth it. It teaches us all of the real problem...the inability of society to accept differences. The prescence of differences would not be a problem if everyone could accept them, and we cannot live a whole existence supressing our humanity, as this book brilliantly suggests.
- I rate this title off for age 11 and give it
Disastrous!!!!!!
From now on I am previewing books my daughter reads in the future. Had I known the severity of the detail of the infants death I would never have let my daughter continue it. As a result of it, she coincidently vomited in class after reading that particular part. It is not her fault nor can she help her heightened sensitivity to the frailties of life and mortality. I urge parents to preview what their children read, especially if you have an ultrasensitive child like mine.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Simply Amazing
I read the book in fifth grade and I simply loved the it. It was scary how people were content with having their rights taken away and living lives that were chosen for them. Everyone wants a world where there is no war or diseases but at what cost? I will definately let my child read this book once they turn 10.
- I rate this title off for age 15 and give it
PARENTS PLEASE LOOK AT WHAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE BEING EXPOSED TO!!!
I have never been so shocked at a children's book. This is not appropriate reading for a child under 15 and it is required in my daughter's 7th grade advanced reading class. After reading some of the reviews here and the young ages of the children exposed to the graphic details in this book, I am appalled. To describe the details of putting a poison filled needle in a newborn's soft spot "because his veins are too teeny-weeny" and then watching it twitch and jerk until it dies is not something to take lightly. Then the baby is wrapped up and put into a garbage chute. Yes kid's think the book is great because it is very shocking and instructors like it because the child will read it...but, PARENTS DO YOU REALLY WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO BE READING THIS???
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
rolls up her sleeve, uses a syringe in her arm and kills herself.
This books story emulates a radical religious sect where Elders are feared and make up a seaming perfect world. Unbeknown to the brain-dead villagers they justify killing imperfect babies and senior citizens for the sake of perpetuating their perfect society. What child wouldn’t be mesmerized by the sexual content, multiple murders and suicide in this book? This is called shock value! It isn’t the good literature that captures their interests it’s the explicitly depraved content. Why let good writing and innovative story telling blind us from integrity?
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
This book should be banned
This is a horrible book. Don't waste your time. For some stupid reason teacher love it. I guess they're into baby killing and children washing naked old people and sending them up the river in body bags. Just flush those dead people down the drain! I would have loved to hear the teacher explain "stirrings" (wet dreams) to the class. Any Kivorchian lovers out there - Soylent Green movie lovers - then this book is for you. Otherwise, no.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Outstanding book!
My fifth grade students ADORE this book - it really keeps them hooked emotionally and academically. I do, however, have to modify some of the text during read alouds due to some inappropriate sexual content.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Great book, but not for tweens
This book is very well-written and thought provoking. Tweens just don't have the same experience and maturity to understand the more complex themes. These include infanticide, sexual dreams, and scary deaths. Some might find the cold society upsetting. Mature tweens will be okay, but otherwise, it's better for teens.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Thought-Provoking Novel is Timeless!
The Giver takes place in a society where 'sameness' rules. There's no color, no races, no religion or ethnic groups. Everyone lives in a family unit, where parents are selected to take care of children. Everyone is assigned a job. No questions. A teen, Jonas, learns much from The Giver and tries to break free from these bonds. There is little questionable content in this. There is a disturbing scene where Jonas's 'father' executes a young baby by injecting a needle in it (he doesn't know any better). Jonas also starts having 'stirrings' or sexual dreams. Sex isn't permitted, so Jonas must take pills to delete these dreams. The dream gets no more graphic than Jonas expressing a desire to bathe a female friend. This novel is thought-provoking and is a must-read for everyone at some time. It, rightly, won the Newberry Medal. You must read it!
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Tread lightly...
I purchased this book for my 11-year old son and read it before I gave it to him. I'm glad that I did...he is NOT READY for this book and I do not know that many of his peers that would be either. I think it is a very good book and wonderfully thought-provoking, but only to be read after the child has the appropriate mental tools and life-experiences to put the concepts in the book into perspective. This is a teen book in my opinion...or for VERY mature pre-teens.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
A book for discussion
I taught a literature class using this novel for 3 years. Some parents objected to the content. (I am a teacher as well as a parent.) I believe it is a "thinking" book. Too many important issues are interwoven into the story for it to be read in a vacuum. If not presented in a classroom setting, parents should read it before, or along with, their young people and discuss its "anti-utopian" theme. I used a study guide by Progeny Press which used the Bible as a reference point for the moral dilemmas in the story (they are numerous). It is a tremendous story with wrenching, emotional dilemmas. Appropriate for mature thinkers (i.e. older kids with the ability for abstract thought). My students were (in the main) deeply affected by the story.
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
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.
- 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 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Educational
For ages 11 and up.
I loved this book as well as Lowry's 3rd installment to this series, "The Messenger" (I haven't read "Gathering Blue" yet) I was required to read this book for my 1st year high school english class, I understand why this was supposed to be for our year as this is not appropriate for grade schoolers/ages 10 and below. Overall it was a good read but some point and plots are difficult to understand.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
Makes you think
I just finished reading this book for my 7th grade english class and its one of my favorite books of all time. It really makes you think how society would be like if the "sameness" that they are so close to achieving in the book would to happen. And i really didnt find the execution scene to disturbing, it just makes me think.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Good for older tweens not any younger!
I read it. It was good but it takes a mature kid to read and understand the cicumstances in this book. NOT recommended for children under 10. Overall it's a good bock with a good message.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Storyline way too heavy for kids/tweens to understand: Read when older.
VERY good book, a true classic.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I absolutely loved The Giver. It is one of my favorite books. If you liked reading The Giver, you should also read the sequels, Gathering Blue and Messenger.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great book!
I really enjoyed this book. A true classic.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Really good book. (:
- I 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.
- I 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 .
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Good book
I really enjoyed the book all though the ending was a little bit confusing but overall it's an excellent book and it's different than many others! Must Read It!
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
AMAZING!
I think that this book is SO great. I have now read it 9 times and find it amazing every time! GREAT!!!!!!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Graet Book
This book s really good it starts out slow but by the end it is AH-MAZING :)
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
GIVE ME THE GIVER!
HAHAH YEA MY TEACHER READ US THIS BOOK IN 6TH GRADE.I LOVED.IT WAS SUMTHIN NEW SUMTHING DIFFERENT!! I SAY YOU SHOULD READ CUZ IT GIVES THE TASTE OF SUMTHIN NEW.SO GO AHEAD AND READ IT. =D ~KARAMEL~
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
Left me wowed.
A truly beautiful book. I was absolutely engrossed throughout it! Parents can discuss whether the book took place in a utopia or dis-topia. Everything might be perfect, but isn't perfect the enemy of good? This book also had a fascinating ending. It is really something to think about, because it leaves you with many unanswered questions. Parents be cautioned, though, that this book has very vivid descriptions of (SPOILER AHEAD!) a baby being injected with some sort of poison in the forehead. Jonas's (the main character) father lies to him, and Jonas is given permission to lie. I suggest that parents discuss some of this with children eleven and under before reading. This book is definitely not appropriate for children 8 and under and may have iffy content for 9-12 year old children. A truly thought provoking book, and as soon as your child is old enough,it is a MUST-READ.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Purely astonishing; A MUST read
THE GIVER: An amazing book. I read from first to last chapter, unable to put it down. I would recommend this book to all middle schools, a requirement for all students, seventh grade and up. I love this book, it reminds me of the inability to make choices for yourself that comes with adolesence, but at a much greater level. The unfortunate thing though... The average setting of this novel could become reality if we are not careful enough. Still, I would say, this is definitely a MUST read. Take it from me; you won't be able to put it down!
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
great book!!!!! i recomend it to all my friends even parents
When I first got this book for an assingnment I read the first chapter never thought much about it, it seemed so boring and im not much of a reader but i started reading more and more i ended up falling in love with the book and it teaches you so much i promise when you read it
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Not a book for an 11 year old.
My english class read this book together, and without our teacher I dont think I would have understood it. It's very deep nothing an 11 year old would understand. If the creators of this website will really read this book maybe they would realize its not for 11-year-olds.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
A bit depressing, but good.
It's as good as it was sad. I slightly agree with those who think the book was a bad influence, but it makes me wonder if our world will ever succumb to what that world was like. Overall a good, if sad, book.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
This book really made me think.
I really loved this book. I could never put it down. As Jonas found out about the truth of his community, it made me ask myself if I'd live in his community, where the truth is held a secret and everyone lives their lives happily when they don't have any choices. Recently, I had to read this book again in school and everyone thought that this book was boring at first. When we reached the point where Jonas started to receive memories, everyone was reluctant to stop reading! Lois Lowry is such a great author.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
ITZ GOOD
HUGU
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Really Insightful!
This book really makes you think- is it worth it to have a society with no pain, unhappiness where nobody makes the wrong decision because nobody really makes their own decisions. Is it worth it to have no pain by giving up your freedom to choose the right thing? I really loved it!!!
