The Giver Series - Book Review

Title ~ The Giver Series
Author ~ Lois Lowry
First Published ~ 1993 - 2004
Age Group ~ Middle Grade
Publisher ~ Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source ~ The Elliott Review

GOODREADS SUMMARY

THE GIVER

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

GATHERING BLUE

In her strongest work to date, Lois Lowry once again creates a mysterious but plausible future world. It is a society ruled by savagery and deceit that shuns and discards the weak. Left orphaned and physically flawed, young Kira faces a frightening, uncertain future. Blessed with an almost magical talent that keeps her alive, she struggles with ever broadening responsibilities in her quest for truth, discovering things that will change her life forever.

 AUTHOR SUMMARY

MESSENGER

In this novel that unites characters from "The Giver" and "Gathering Blue," Matty, a young member of a utopian community that values honesty, conceals an emerging healing power that he cannot explain or understand.

REVIEW

Like pieces of an intricate puzzle, The Giver trilogy fits together in perfect harmony. While each book has a different central character and point-of-view, the story flows seamlessly from one to the next. Let me tell a little about each book and why I liked it so much.

The Giver is set in a perfect world. Well, maybe it’s not really as perfect as it seems. When Jonas is chosen to be The Receiver, he learns the truth about his world from The Giver, the elderly man who trains him. The Giver himself is very wise and kind. Jonas has the ability to see the past, and sometimes even glimpses of the future. I loved the innocence that Jonas represented and how it was tainted by the truth.

Gathering Blue tells the story of Kira, who weaves magic to see the future. It is Kira’s weaving that saves her from the village leaders, but these leaders are taking advantage of Kira. She must decide if she will stay on her own in the village or if she will go off with Matty to another location. Kira’s awesome talent was my favorite part of this story. Oh, and the explanation for the title is pretty cool too.

Messenger is Matty’s story and his power to heal. Matty sets out to save Kira, but he finds that there is so much more that needs his attention. I loved how Jonas came back into the story and all three characters played off of each other. The ending was a big surprise that, after all is said and done, makes perfect sense.

Lois Lowry has a beautiful way of writing and making her characters come to life. I know The Giver is a series I will want to read again.

RATING

5 Loved

COVER COMMENTS

I am happy that The Giver himself is on the cover of The Giver. You don’t usually see an old man on a young adult cover. Kira looks like she really is Gathering Blue pigment on her cover. I like that some of her weaving is up at the top. Messenger’s cover is my least favorite. It’s hard to tell, but I suppose that is Matty hiding out in the trees. I would rather have something clearer.