Anyone want to read The Giver with me?

[kater07]

I just started it and am going slowly as I have sooooo much to do around here that I rarely read anymore.

Grab a copy and read with me!

I am going to read I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb next!

Then I am off to Wit'ch War by James Clemens

[wolfmom]

I just wanted to say enjoy that book! I read it several years ago and LOVED it. It is very thought provoking and wonderful. enjoy!

[Kelly71]

What a great story! The 7th graders at my school read it as part of their curriculum. I'm not convinced that it is too early. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

[carlsmama]

I inhaled this book! I read it in one day! I hope you enjoy it. If you cannot read sitting, throw your baby in the sling and read while you walk around! Works wonders for both of you! PM me if you finish it and would like to discuss, I am dying to talk about it with someone else,

Nancy

[DebraBaker]

The Giver was *fantastic* I so recommend it but (and I feel like I'm a pushey preacher) if you liked The Giver you will *love* "Gathering Blue" It is the companion book to The Giver and is so wonderful.

I heard there will be a third book in this "series" (of sorts it isn't a series like you would imagine.

Anyway read it it is worth your time.

DB

[claridad]

I will read it with you. I've got some copies at work of both The Giver and Gathering Blue. I will start this morning and let you know how it's going later!

[carlsmama]

Debra,

Thanks for your pm. Let's discuss it here, what do you think?

Did anyone else feel like they were reading "1984" again?

What did you think when you realized the "new children" were being raised the way they were?

Does anyone have school-aged children they have read this with and if so, what questions or comments did they have? I wish my kids were older right now just so I could discuss this book with them!

I will have to head out to the library today and pick up Gathering Blue. I heard an interview on NPR with Lois Lowry and I understood her to say that The Giver was part of a series, so I am excited to hear about Gathering Blue. Lowry has a nice website with all her books listed and I noticed she has a series each about a boy and a girl. Has anyone else read her other books?

Thanks for the thread. I knew I could count on the mamas here for a discussion!

Nancy

[DebraBaker]

I found it closer to "Brave New World" or "Walden 2" because the people in this society were conditioned to *enjoy* their circumstances.

DB

[claridad]

I really like it so far and it definitely reminds me of 1984.
I have a lot of students who have read it at the jr. high level and love it. I am looking forward to getting some time today to read again...I'll be back!

[padomi]

I'm just finishing up Jewel by Bret Lott which I haven't enjoyed all that much, so I'll pick up The Giver today. Thanks!

[LunaMom]

I used to teach sixth grade and this was one of the books that the "top" reading group was assigned. Unfortunately, I didn't teach that group! I think that the book raises some very mature issues and would have loved the opportunity to "pick the brains" of the kids who had read it.

BTW, I also read "I Know This Much Is True" and loved it - happy reading!

If you enjoy "The Giver," I have another excellent "young adult" book to recommend - "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinnelli.

[claridad]

carlsmama-
I only on ch. 5 so I'm not too far along yet...but it is driving me nuts not knowing what happens to a newchild who is "released"...and what happens to the old folks when they are "released"...very bizarre. In some ways the community seems comforting...but for the most part it is frightening me. I am hoping that Jonah will meet someone (maybe the Giver?) who will help him learn what is in the outside world.
It's the end of the school year and all I am having my 9th graders do SSR (silent reading) for about 30 minutes a day now. So I am reading during those pockets. And loving it!

I think I remember recently hearing that there is a movie in the works for this book...has anyone heard that?
Maybe I am confusing it with Holes.

One last thing...I met a friend last summer who is part of a intentional community in Maryland. Their raising of kids sounds a lot like this. Actually, their whole community does. They "apply" to have a child and can actually have a partner chosen for them or perhaps they choose and get pregnant. Then the whole community raises the child together. It's very interesting.

[DebraBaker]

Claridad,

Keep on reading you are asking the best questions and your wonderment will be satisfied!!

db

edited to add I think you are confusing this with "holes" haven't seen the movie, read the book and loved it although my son and two friends of whose opinion I value *hated* the book.

[claridad]

***WARNING: DISCUSSES ENDING! DON'T READ IF YOU AREN'T FINISHED READING!***

I finally finished it and really liked it. I was sad that it ended so soon though. There are so many unanswered questions. I want to know what happened to the Giver...the community and to Jonas and Gabriel! I was dissapointed to learn that Gathering Blue isn't really about them but about another character in a similar society.

I really liked the book though. It brought up some thought provoking ideas. It made me think about the p.c. movement and how in many ways our society does strive for sameness and for comfort. I think we shy away from truths so often and numb our minds with television and entertainment. There is so much to think about in regards to the book...the idea of CIO in application to the infant...the fact that he would be disposed if he didn't sleep through the night. Wow. That was something else. My two kids wouldn't even be here right now if that were the case!

I think the idea of having only one receiver of memory was quite interesting...that the pain of memory was too much for the community and that one person would have to bear it. This reminded me of Christ...and the idea that one person could take the pain for others. Also, that there are some in this world that seem to feel more deeply, or have a special sense of empathy, this is also an interesting idea.

So much to think about. Looking forward to more discussion.