Citation: Lowry, L. (1993). The Giver. Laurel Leaf.
This book is deeply nostalgic for me, as I remember gulping this book down in one afternoon my first time reading it, and it set the scene for my love for dystopian fiction. Set in a utopian (dystopian) society where work is assigned at age 12, Jonah is given the job of the Receiver, meaning he will be given all of his community's memories to hold. The world he lives is in devoid of colour, of choice, and as time passes Jonah comes to his own conclusions surrounding the concept of freedom.
This is a great book to start readers down a path of dystopian fiction which is a rich genre, especially as they grow into older readers and the variety of books widens.
Conversations regarding community needs, societal pressures, and personal choices are all brimming within The Giver. It is considered a modern classic and is read across classrooms. There are slight elements of sexuality and sexual thoughts, but are meaningful to the plot and characters. The book deals with some heavy ideas, such as human inflicted human suffering and eugenics, so reading with some caution is advised.
Check out our other review of The Giver.