Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction
The Giver is a story about a young boy named Jonas. Jonas is about to turn 12, and in his hometown, at 12, you are given your assignment, which is like today's career. Jonas receives a special assignment; he is called the Receiver. He is to work closely with the Giver, and the Giver "gives him" memories. In Jonas' town, there are no colors, no music, and very little variation. The big problem occurs in this story with a small child named Gabriel. Gabriel is a small child, less than a year old at the beginning of the story, and he doesn't sleep well. Jonas' father brings him home, and Gabriel seems to adjust better. Gabriel is under scrutiny to be "released", but when Jonas realizes what exactly "releasement" entails, he has to confront the ideas he has been given and overcome his fears to make a hard decision. I think this book would be used in a classroom that is discussing the ethics of right and wrong within society, and civil rights. Fifth grade social studies curriculum fits well with this book, allowing students the opportunity to talk about whether they feel the citizens had civil rights or not.
