In a world that is much different than our own, Jonas has grown up not knowing what it is like to make many decisions a day. Everything is predetermined by the elders. They have no idea that a different life could exist. Each generation, things progress as they did in the past generations. No one is special, no one is left behind. As Jonas becomes a Twelve and is given his life assignment, he soon finds out that he has been set apart in a community where it is best to fit in. He trains with the The Giver and Receives the memories he has held since he was assigned-the memories that tell them that life used to be different. Jonas realizes that the feelings the community is taught to identify are mere shades of true emotion. And even though they have eradicated pain and fear, they have also dissolved the capacity to truly know and feel love.
Pain is part of life that none of us really like. This book is a good reminder that it is difficult (on this earth) to have love without the pain. I am always reminded that the pain and sadness makes love that much better and helps me appreciate it more. Rated at a 4.5 reading level, elementary students who read this will be able to understand it. The topics discussed would be easier to understand and think about if the student has someone to read with.
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