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Background note about the author/selection:
Lois
Lowry has also written łNumber the Stars˛, another wonderful book about two
best friends, one of them pursued by the Nazis during WW2.
Booktalk: It is the future. The world has been ripped by war and
starvation, and many societies, in response to this scourge, have isolated
themselves from one another. In
one isolated society, a boy named Jonas lives with his family. His community is very safe: everyone
follows the same rules. Everyone
lives in a perfectly balanced family: Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister. Everyone has plenty of food. Everyone has a shelter. Everyone has everything they need,
but there is a problem with the community. What is this problem? Jonas, a young boy in the community, doesnąt know, and he
isnąt too concerned about it.
Jonas is about to become an adult and receive his job
instructions. But before this
happens, he enjoys playing with his friends, listening to his silly sister,
and riding his bicycle. Jonas
is happy and smart, and doesnąt realize the problem in the community, and he
doesnąt seem to care. When Jonas
receives his job, he meets The Giver.
The Giver and Jonas become friends, and The Giver gives Jonas a
fantastic gift, an amazing gift, but the gift is also a curse! Because of the gift, Jonas finds he
can no longer relate to his friends, no longer be with his family, no longer
live comfortably in his community!
And one day, suddenly, Jonas becomes aware of the problem in the
community, and his life becomes almost unbearable. He doesnąt know what to do! Can The Giver help him through this agony? Can he take back his gift, or must
Jonas endure and find a way to survive?
Courage,
wisdom, and love are central themes in this exciting tale of growing up and
growing wise.
For more information/curriculum suggestions: Contact your school or public librarian.
Lowry,
L. (1989). Number the
stars. New York City: Bantam
Double Day Books.
Lowry,
L. (2000). Random blue. New York City: Random House.
Cormier,
R. (1974). The chocolate war.
New York City: Random House.
LąEngle,
M. (1962). A wrinkle in time. New
York City: Bantam Double Day Dell.
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