Choice List 2005

The Giver
by Lois Lowry
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company
Copyright 1993

Reading Level: Lexile Level 760L, reading level 6

Suggested Delivery: Independent read, read aloud

Vocabulary: palpable (3), transgression (9), droning (22), chortled (33), prodded (41), buoyancy (47), aptitude (52), benign (59), throng (65), admonition (89), daub (109), wisp (125), horde (133), ruefully (141), imploringly (142), languid (166), taut (168), flagging (172)

Awards: 1994 John Newbery Medal, ALA Notable Children's Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults 

"'It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be frightened.'"
Thus opens this haunting novel in which a boy inhabits a seemingly ideal world: a world without conflict, poverty, unemployment, divorce, injustice, or inequality. It is a time in which family values are paramount, teenage rebellion is unheard of, and even good manners are a way of life.
December is the time of the annual Ceremony at which each twelve year old receives a life assignment determined by the Elders. Jonas watches his friend Fiona named Caretaker of the Old and his cheerful pal Asher labeled the Assistant Director of Recreation. But Jonas has been chosen for something special. When his selection leads him to an unnamed man -the man called only the Giver -he begins to sense the dark secrets that underlie the fragile perfection of his world.
Told with deceptive simplicity, this is the provocative story of a boy who experiences something incredible and undertakes something impossible. In the telling it questions every value we have taken for granted and reexamines our most deeply held beliefs."- Amazon. com

The Giver is challenging, mysterious, and an unforgettable read. The book leaves an open mind for the reader to fill in the structure because the concepts are never really explained. This keeps the reader hooked and excited to read on to find out why.  


Pre-Reading Activity: Make a list on chart paper or on the board of what the students believe are elements involved in a eutopia. After defining that the world means a perfect world the students can each add their one of their own components to what makes up a utopia. Tell the students that their ideas should not just be personal, but should be universal as well. Introduce the story with telling the students that the utopia in the story takes a very wrong turn. 

During Reading Activity: As the students read, they can keep in mind the following key question, "Do you think Jonas could have found a way to share his new experiences with his friends and family? Should he have done it this way? Why or why not?" This question can be asked after the students have read chapter 12.

Post Reading Activity: Jonas's community had roles assigned to each person living in their utopia. Have the students pretend they're in that type of utopia. The students can pick three friends and choose which role to assign to their friend. Students can get into small groups and explain why they chose those roles for their friends. 

Writing Activity: Students can make a small list of four to five choices that are important to them. After making their list students can write a paragraph based off the question, "How would you feel if those choices were taken away from you? What would you do to get them back? Explain why these choices are very important to you."

Electronic Resources:

The Giver Quiz
For students who like a little more
of a challenge, this is a 10 question online 
quiz for students who would like to take it
on their own time. This can also be an electronic
option for students who feel overwhelmed when
taking paper based tests. There are options to take
four different quizzes, summaries of all the chapters, 
and a list of major themes and quotes.

Fake Trailer for The Giver
This is fake trailer created by student in an 8th
grade class. The movie "The Giver" will be released
in 2014 with Taylor Swift playing the role of Rosemary. 
Students can watch this trailer and dicuss whether it was 
accurate or a good prediction for what the movie
might look like. This can be a good pre reading activity
as well to get students hooked in wanting to see the movie
and read the book as well.  


AfDoT  youare his new experiences