The Giver

   For Reading this Second Quarter, I read The Giver.  At first, I wasn't excited to read the book because it isn't what I read normally. As I was reading the first chapter, it started to become more interesting to me. I loved the book and I recommend it to everyone who are bibliophiles. 

   Below are the book review questions I had to answer and actually enjoyed answering! NOTE: If any of you are actually planning to read or are reading the book, do not continue reading because...there are spoilers. Hehe. Let's get started!

1. List the characters and describe them. 

a) Jonas - He is the main character of the story. At the Ceremony of Twelve, he is chosen to be the next Giver of the community.

b) The Giver - He is the most recent Giver of the community. He is also Jonas's mentor. He is called the Giver because he gives the memories to the next Giver. While he is STILL in that honored position, Jonas is the character known as the Receiver.

c) Asher - He is the best friend of Jonas. He has difficulty using the correct words when he speaks.

d) Fiona - She is Jonas's friend who appears in his dream.

e) Jonas's father - He is a Nurturer in the community. He cares for the newborn infants.

e) Lily - She is Jonas's younger sister. 

f) Gabriel - He is one of the babies Jonas's father takes care of. He becomes extremely close to Jonas.

2. List five new words you learned in the book. Write down their dictionary meanings. 

a) Placidly - calmly or quietly 
b) Strewn - spread about
c) Imploringly - desperately 
d) Languid - slow and relaxed
e) Lethargy - a lack of energy 

3. Where did the story take place? 

   The story took place in an unseemly perfect community. The citizens did not know anything about thirst or hunger except for the Giver. 

4. Did anyone in the book do something you did not like? Why? 

   Jonas's father "released" an infant. By release, I mean death. Jonas's father killed an infant. The Nurturers did not tell the truth on what really happens in release. They just say that they have been released to the Elsewhere! 

5. If you could continue the story, what events would you include? Why? 

   I would include what happened to Jonas and Gabriel at the end. I want to know if they lived or not. The book's ending was a major cliffhanger for me, so I want to know what happened to them after! 

6. Did this book give you any ideas about yourself? Why?

   This may sound weird, but what if I can see things people can't? It's like how Jonas can see colors, but the other citizens can't.What happens if there are Elsewheres in this world? Something like new planets! This is so awesome. 

7. Compare two of the characters in this book.

   I would like to compare Asher and Jonas. 

   I would say Asher is a clumsy, usually confused boy. He does not use the right words while speaking. I honestly think I am like Asher. I am clumsy and I don't really use appropriate words when speaking or writing.

   I imagine Jonas as a neat boy. He could be a perfectionist! At the start of the story, he really thinks about the words he will use before actually saying them. 

8. Identify one problem in the book and give an alternate situation one not given by the author. 

   One problem is definitely the release. Instead of killing the infant, the Nurturers could maybe nurture the child even though it is weak. The infants could maybe become really healthy children in the future! 

   It is different with the elders. What if they really applied for release? It's a very different situation from the release of infants. 

9. Did you like the way the story ended? Why or why not?

   The ending was good, but it would be better if we (the readers) found out if they survived or died. 

10. Which character in the book would you choose for a friend? Why?

   I would choose Asher. He is exactly like me! He's not the main character, but it would be cool to have him as a friend!

11. What did you think was the most interesting part of the book? Why?

   What I found interesting was when the Giver was transmitting memories to Jonas. One more interesting part was when I found out that Jonas and the Giver have the capacity to either see or hear beyond. If the Giver has the capacity to hear beyond, what does the community listen to or hear? It just makes me so curious. Imagine if there was a capacity to taste beyond...

12. In The Giver, the setting is in a "perfect" community. Would you want to live in one? Why or why not? If no, what would you change? 

   I would NOT live in a perfect community. I would definitely change the fact that they have never seen ANIMALS or heard music! I would change the way they just give all the pain and suffering to one person, The Giver, instead of bearing it together. It's unfair. I also would change the rules of the community. For me, they're quite impractical. It would be awesome to spend a day in the community and observe their ways though!