Luanne Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Has anyone here read this book? I read it yesterday. I really enjoyed it and am going to read Gathering Blue next. I didn't know there were four books in the series until just now. Anyone else like (or dislike) this book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 My advice is to get the story behind the story of The Giver. Blow your ever living mind. Really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I read it and enjoyed it. Haven't read the other books, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I've read the entire series. The follow-up books weren't as good as The Giver, but still interesting. I couldn't get my older girls to read the other books; I shouldn't have shared my opinion of them before they made their decisions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 My advice is to get the story behind the story of The Giver. Blow your ever living mind. Really. What are you talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 What are you talking about? I'd like to know what she is talking about too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um_2_4 Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Yes do tell, what's the story behind it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 See the video of the author's speech here, where she explains how she came to write The Giver. http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/08/reading-lois-lowrys-giver-adult/56114/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Ds12 and I read the book last year. It was a great book to read together, and branched out into a discussion and exploration of dystopian and futuristic novels. It was a great experience, particularly discussing the ending and what we thought it meant. We're reading Gathering Blue right now, and it's been interesting to compare and contrast and speculate about the two different communities and what might have led to their formation. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I've not read it, but it's on my list to read with my daughter. She's almost 10, and it sounds like we should wait until she is 12? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 See the video of the author's speech here, where she explains how she came to write The Giver. http://www.theatlant...er-adult/56114/ Thanks so much for posting this. I loved hearing from the author herself about her thoughts on the ending. It was such a contrast to much of the clap-trap analysis I have seen on the web about how there is really only one interpretation of th ending - blah blah blah. Back to the OP, I read The Giver with my older boys when they were middle school age. I think I will be reading it with my daughter this year or next. I read Gathering Blue - I liked it, but it didn't have the same power as The Giver (which, at the time, was a good thing for me as I was not in a place to deal with something emotionally wrenching.) I haven't read Son, but I plan to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I just watched the video that RC linked to--wow, through watching that bit, I am now a fan of Lois Lowry's. I was planning on reading these books to my kids this year but do you think it is appropriate for a 10 yr. old? I would like to include my youngest as she seems to get left out of a lot due to her age but I don't want to traumatize her either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Double post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSinNH Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 We read The Giver as a read aloud this past fall with DD11 and DD9. We had totally ditch school plans one day to finish the final 1/3 of the book. They LOVED it, as did I. Great discussions ensued. Neither girl was traumatized, but we do not tend to sheild our girls from life and human nature. DH was active duty Army, so they know all about war, point of view of the enemy, etc. If your DC are more innocent, you may want to wait until they are 12 or 13. Off to watch the link to the video! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I recently read all 4 books. I really enjoyed them. I remember reading The Giver in high school, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 See the video of the author's speech here, where she explains how she came to write The Giver. http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/08/reading-lois-lowrys-giver-adult/56114/ Whew, this needed a warning, at least for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placeofgrace Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I didn't like it, but I read it such a long time ago that I can't remember why. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I read it last year and decided not to recommend it to my 8th grade son because of the ending. It reminded me of the end of the movie Radio Flyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I read it last year and decided not to recommend it to my 8th grade son because of the ending. It reminded me of the end of the movie Radio Flyer. I'm not familiar with Radio Flyer, but what about the ending didn't you like? (They don't die, btw, it's not even open for interpretation now that the 4th book in the series is out...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 We read this in 7th or 8th grade. I remember it as the only book the boys in the class really got into- they really participated in discussions and I remember it spilling over into other classes as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Liked them. Gathering Blue is my personal favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 My oldest read it in high school in our hs. I had never read it. He came downstairs in tears. It was a tough thing for him to read. Of course that we had lived in Uganda and went to an orphanage. He ended up witha baby buddy that adored him. Sadly Richard passed away. Samuel was only 11 at the time. but that book brought up too much difficult memories for him of the truth of difficult lives in other places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 If you google Lowry and Alzheimer's you will find more clues also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeciecup Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Whew, this needed a warning, at least for me. What kind of warning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Oldest dd read it in 6th grade and really liked it, but she hasn't desired to read the rest. I haven't read it but it's on my list and I hopefully get to it one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeindeed Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I am in tears. I just watched the video. It really touched my mama heart. My oldest son, who is in the Army Infantry, recently returned from Afghanistan. He is asking the very same question that Mrs. Lowry's son did. My dd12 will start reading The Giver next week as part of her co-op literature class. I, too, will be reading it...with fresh eyes and thoughts. Thank you for posting the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFM Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Thank you for all of these posts and responses. I did not read The Giver when I was in school and recently decided to read it. I will be keeping this topic in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraciWA Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 My dd13 yr old and I read it. It was very interesting and gave us a lot of discussion. I had no idea there was a series. What order do they go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 My dd13 yr old and I read it. It was very interesting and gave us a lot of discussion. I had no idea there was a series. What order do they go? The Giver Gathering Blue Messenger Son I never knew there was a series either, until about 2 months ago. :) I believe Son was just recently released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraciWA Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 The Giver Gathering Blue Messenger Son I never knew there was a series either, until about 2 months ago. :) I believe Son was just recently released. Thanks! I will have to order them from the library. My daugher and myself will have something new to read and discuss! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccolopy Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Both kids and I read The Giver earlier this year, and DD has gone on to read the rest of the series. She loved all of them, while DS and I enjoyed the first book, but were ready to move on. I guess I'll have to go watch that video now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 What kind of warning? I wasn't expecting her son to have been killed in a fighter crash. It has been a rough week here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I'm not familiar with Radio Flyer, but what about the ending didn't you like? (They don't die, btw, it's not even open for interpretation now that the 4th book in the series is out...) I didn't realize there were sequels until watching the video link. I thought he was hallucinating at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I wasn't expecting her son to have been killed in a fighter crash. It has been a rough week here. Yes, I hadn't realized that either. Hope all is well with you and yours. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoot Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I read The Giver for the first time a few months ago and loved it. I read Gathering Blue shortly thereafter as well and it was also very good. So far, I haven't read the other two companion books but I plan to soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datgh Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Thank you for sharing the link. I didn't realize there where three more books. My daughters reaction to this info was we have to read those! The Giver has been my kids favorite book over the four years we have been homeschooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I had no idea there was a 4th book. I'll have to look that one up. I enjoyed Gathering Blue and Messenger. When did the 4th book come out? My dd11 read "The Giver" and liked it but hasn't wanted to read the others. She said it was good but weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 I'm pretty sensitive when it comes to certain things in books and I didn't find anything in the book to hard to handle. I just think an older child would get more out of it. I think it would more difficult to understand for someone say under the age of 12 or so. It has pretty complicated ideas in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I had no idea there was a 4th book. I'll have to look that one up. I enjoyed Gathering Blue and Messenger. When did the 4th book come out? My dd11 read "The Giver" and liked it but hasn't wanted to read the others. She said it was good but weird. Son came out in Oct. 2012, I think. I didn't realize she was still writing the series, but happened to stumble upon it on our library's New Release shelf when it first came out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I wasn't expecting her son to have been killed in a fighter crash. It has been a rough week here. When you are perhaps not so raw, you (and others interested in her life and writing) might read about her response to his death. It's quite sad, but also very moving. She said in the previously posted speech that she does not believe in "write what you know," but it is clear from her writing and her real-life response that she knows suffering and she knows the value of compassion. NY Times article, Lois Lowry Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 See the video of the author's speech here, where she explains how she came to write The Giver. http://www.theatlant...er-adult/56114/ I don't agree with her. I think young people, on average, are more violent than older people; that the young followers of Pol Pot were passionate, but not about something we consider pretty; that youthful protest and rising up to make "something better" is often perverted into something stupid and/or dangerous; and that pretty words hoping for the future via "the younger generation" is a sugar-coated cop-out. But, perhaps I missed the real meaning, because The Giver isn't a book I'd read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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