The story: Jonas lives in a world that is safe, well ordered, and predictable. Everyone does a job they like, everyone is polite, and there's no suffering, crime, or war. Why would anyone want to escape from such a place? Especially if they didn't know there was any other choice. Because that's another thing they don't have in Jonas's world: a choice. But who in their right mind would choose freedom over safety, anyway?
June Cleaver's rating: language G; violence PG-13; nudity PG; Sexual Content PG; magic and the occult G: Substance abuse G; GLBT content G; adult themes (euthanasia) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: Of course, this isn't a new book--in fact, it's coming up in its 20th anniversary (new edition ahoy, no doubt). But since it's been so long since I read it, I thought it was worth another look...especially with the movie coming out. (I was pretty sure I didn't remember a 16-year-old kid as the main character. Turns out I remembered that much correctly!) One of the first dystopian YA novels, this one is more introspective than most, which is of course why it's ended up on so many curriculum lists over the years. But it raises great questions for the MS set without a lot of killing or anarchy. In fact, it's such a peaceful novel that when violence does raise its ugly head, it's all the more shocking. Well deserving of its Newbery medal, this is a book all kids should read and think about: would you be willing to trade the ability to choose for safety? The possibility of falling in love for a life without pain? A world full of imperfect people for one where those who weren't quite all there didn't exist at all? Enter the world of "The Giver" and see if you agree with Jonas's answers.
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