The book "The Giver"...what age is it for?

[kathymuggle]

What age do you think "the Giver", Lois Lowry, is appropriate for????

[UUMom]

I think 12 is fine. It's a heavy book. Sad. Well written etc. That age is good for Artemis Fowl, too.

Has your ds read Holes? My youngest ds maintains it's the best book he ever read, and rereads it. Keeps it by his bed to read favorite passages. lol He read it when he was 11, turning 12, I think. He just turned 14 the other day and still hasn't found another book he likes better.

Not sure why I am going on and talking about books you didn't ask about. Too much coffee this morning, I guess. I should use this energy and go a run.

[dharmamama]

Desta's 7th-grade class read it this year. She goes to a literacy-focus charter school and they have a specific class called Novel. In that class they read books that really challenge and stretch the kids. I wouldn't recommend for anyone younger than 12, and I don't think it would be good for sensitive kids.

dm

[kathymuggle]

My MIL gave it to Ds as a gift when he was 9!

I read it first, and while I thought it was a great book, I thought he was too young and put it away.

Obviously, I did not hide it well enough, as DS (who will be 12 in February) has found it, and has started reading it. He is only up to about page 20 or so, and I have not hauled it out of his hands, but ugh. I would have preferred he wait a couple more years to read it. Heck, I think the reason he wants to read it, is that he knows I do not want him to (forbidden fruit and all that).

I think I will let him read it, I would prefer it if he waited a few years, but censorship may be worse.

I am glad I know he is reading it... we can communicate about the book and its ideas. I know I read some stuff, starting in Grade 7 and courtesay of the public school system, that I found disturbing, yet no one helped me to process..

kathy

PS. We own Holes. He has not read it yet, but I may bring it in the car on a long trip...he just might start!

Kathy

[SusanElizabeth]

My kids both had this book assigned as summer reading. I know it was several years ago -- so I'm thinking it was sometime around 8th grade. Both talked a lot about it at the time.

[Ornery]

My son read this last year, in Fifth grade, as assigned reading in school. Granted, he is advanced in reading comprehension (tests at a college sophomore level - oops, bragging a bit) but he loved it. We had many, many interesting discussions on it. And the questions asked by his teacher were very insightful, I thought. It wouldn't be a book that I would just have my child read with no discussion, but I think it helped him look at our society in a bit of a different way.....

[angelpie545]

That is a very sad, heavy book. I think that age 12 is probably a good age, or maybe even a bit younger if that child is more mature. I remember reading that book as a teenager, and while it was well-written, it contained a lot of very mature concepts and themes.

[lolar2]

When I was substitute teaching I saw it in 5th and 6th grade classrooms FTMP.

[malibusunny]

academically, it is generally thought of as being for middle level kids (11-14)

It's a good book. There's a sequel (Gathering Blue) that is also a deep read, but satisfies what happened to Jonah at the end of The Giver, which kids might find comforting.

[Phantaja]

I read it at eleven, and it was a pretty deep read. I'd recommend it at 12 or so.

[texmati]

I loved this book in middle school (still do btw). I was probably 11-12 when I first read it. I don't think there was a sequal when I was in school, I'm excited to find out what happened to Jonas now!

[dillonandmarasmom]

I used to teach it to sixth graders, though we typically saved it for the end of the year and spent quite a while working in it. It always brought up great discussions. I should say that not all kids this age are ready for the ideas in this book. I'd definitely wait a bit if you don't feel your kiddo is up to it.

I loved reading Holes to my kids, too. I read it aloud to my 5th graders, then gave it to the 6th grade reading groups for independent reading.

I also recommend Loser, StarGirl, and Frindle for good reads with deeper, more thoughtful 'lessons'.

[lab]

My son read it as required reading in 5th grade AIG. He loved it. I thought it was a bit heavy. Just because a kid can get their mind around a book intellectually doesn't mean they can 'get it'. YKWIM?

After reading this, he read Bridge to Teribithia and then another book where someone died (I can't remember dangit!). He made the comment that he wanted to read something a little more positive and that he was sick of people dying!

Looking back on it (and reading this thread) I would have liked for him to be older....

[LaLaLaLa]

When I taught eighth grade we managed to snag it from the seventh grade for our eighth grade curriculum (can't believe the seventh grade gave it up!). It is a great book about a certain type of utopia and brought up some excellent questions about sacrifices and rewards, as the society portrayed in the book seems perfect at first--no war, no violence, no pollution, everyone gets along and contributes to society. But then you see what they gave up in order to get there. How much would you give up in order to live in a "perfect" world? Would you give up music? Reading books? Choice of occupation? Sexual attraction?

If handled well and discussed in class or at home, this book has the potential to be eye-opening to kids. If simply left alone, it could be puzzling or distressing.

[onelilguysmommy]

we read it in 4th or 5th, but im leaning towards 4th(i can see the class in my head, but not which teacher, both classrooms were exactly the same setup lol or i could tell you for sure.)

[spero]

I think it's fine for most middle-schoolers, but OK for mature kids younger than that (like my DD). It's an awesome book; as is the companion book, Gathering Blue.

[DiannaK]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

What age do you think "the Giver", Lois Lowry, is appropriate for????

DD is 12, 7th grade, and it's one of the books they've already read this year. She's now working on one she calls " a sequel" to the Giver ... can't remember the name, now. I'll post it later.
DD liked the Giver ... I'm going to have to read it, as well. In my town, one of the local theatre companies did a play, too.

[DiannaK]

Originally Posted by spero

I think it's fine for most middle-schoolers, but OK for mature kids younger than that (like my DD). It's an awesome book; as is the companion book, Gathering Blue.

that's the book DD is reading right now, too

[Ecstatic]

I actually read the book at age 9, again at age 12, and again at age 16 ... I really loved it. I read all of Lois Lowry. It was heavy, but also had hope in it and carried across good ideals.

In my home, growing up, once I could read ... I could read anything I wanted that was on the bookshelves. I read quite a few "mature" books while quite young. Actually, to be honest, I rarely ever read books meant for kids. They bored me.

Of course, all we had around was serious literature (two parents, both professors, lol). So, it's not like I was reading porn. And I wasn't allowed to watch TV at all.

I plan on putting in the same program with my child. Once she/he can read ... I'm letting them loose on the bookshelves.

[allgirls]

My daughter studied it for Enlish last year..she was 12. I thought it was appropriate. I think it depends on the child.

My dd thought it was a great book.