logo

102 pages 3 hours read

The Giver

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1993

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Book Brief

logo
Lois Lowry

The Giver

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1993
Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

1993

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

12+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Giver by Lois Lowry is set in a future community characterized by safety and orderliness at the expense of individual choice and emotion. The protagonist, Jonas, a perceptive boy about to turn 12, is chosen to be the community's next Receiver of Memory. Training with the Giver, he learns about the world's hidden truths and grows disillusioned with his society's suppression of emotions and experiences, ultimately seeking a deeper understanding of freedom and love. This book involves themes of dystopia, emotional pain, and euthanasia.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Emotional

Dark

Reviews & Readership

4.3

2,611,052 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Giver by Lois Lowry is widely praised for its thought-provoking narrative and unique dystopian setting. Readers appreciate its exploration of complex themes such as memory, freedom, and the human experience. However, some critics find the ending unsatisfactory and feel the character development could be deeper. Overall, it remains a compelling read for both young adults and older audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Giver?

Readers who would enjoy The Giver by Lois Lowry are typically teens or young adults who appreciate thought-provoking dystopian novels. Fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or Divergent by Veronica Roth will be captivated by The Giver's exploration of controlled societies, individuality, and ethical dilemmas.

4.3

2,611,052 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

1993

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

12+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.