The Giver

I'm not in the YA age range this book was meant for, but I can't imagine giving this didactic book to my YA-aged daughter for entertainment or a challenge. The obvious freedom and individuality vs. comfort and safety argument that Lowry makes leaves you no room for complex thought.

I believe that 12-18 year olds can find something better. An older middle-schooler/high schooler is going to see right through this very quickly. In high school, our class read Brave New World, which has similar ideas and then some and is a much more interesting and entertaining book. In other words, kids can handle a lot more than The Giver has to offer.

The most interesting concept is the Giver himself, but this story doesn't strike me as being (as described) about memory. The Giver is a (not at all subtle) device to show the terrors and wonders that this society gave up for their secure life.

Certainly, it kept me reading because first, it's incredibly easy and didn't waste much of time and second, as the world was revealed, there is a compulsion to see how bad it really is. By the time the Giver's purpose is revealed and the main character makes some kind of choice for himself, the book is basically over. Just when it seems it should be getting started.