The Giver

This dystopian novel by Lois Lowry will inevitably make kids think more deeply about the world. The story follows Jonas, a 12-year old boy in a community that lacks color, emotion, and any sort of difference. When Jonas is selected to be the next Receiver of Memories, who carries all the memories of the time before the community eradicated these facets of humanity, he is forced to confront both the good and bad memories of humanity. This is a compassionate look at humanity as well as a well-told story, and will provoke your child to get a bigger picture of the world. “The Giver” is part of a four-book series called The Giver Quartet, which are great if your kid enjoyed this novel. If your child liked the dystopian and somber yet introspective tone of Lowry’s “The Giver,” they might also enjoy Lowry’s “Number the Stars,” a novel separate from “The Giver” and set in WW2 Germany.