Product Description
It's a perfect world, where everything looks right. But ugly truths lie beneath the surface...It is the future. There is no war, no hunger, no pain. No one in The Community wants for anything. Everyone is provided for. Each Family Unit is entitled to one female and male child. Each member of The Community has their profession carefully chosen for them by the Committee of Elders, and they never make a mistake.Jonas, a sensitive twelve-year-old boy, had never thought there was anything wrong with his Community, until one day. From the moment Jonas is selected as the Receiver of Memory at The Ceremony, his life is never the same. Jonas discovers that The Community is not as perfect as it seems. Although they appear to have everything, they are missing something of great importance. It is up to Jonas, with the help of the Giver, to find what long ago had been lost. And so Jonas embarks on an adventure to save the world as he knows it.Simply and beautifully written, The Giver is sure to touch the heart of every reader. Lois Lowry deals with issues of everyday life that are so often taken for granted.Through the noble character of Jonas, she presents a glimpse of what could be the future. As the tension in the novel mounts, so does the number of questions that Lowry confronts the reader with. The Giver is a book of courage and adventure, and most importantly, one of deep thought. Once readers make contact with Lowry's treasure, they may never see things exactly quite the same. Lowry presents a forceful novel that demands to be heard and philosophically dealt with. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Rarest of Books
Why this book is pigeonholed as Children's Literature is a mystery to me, perhaps merely because the protagonist is a twelve-year old, perhaps owing to the author's past works--I'm just glad to have found it."The Giver" treats the most profound issues in a manner that speaks of deep understanding; the book will ring you like a bell, the ideas resonate and can not be forgotten.For this reason I call this the rarest of books; once read it will immediately and forever be a part of the reader--in a sense, our author becomes her own creation, she becomes the Giver of memory and her reader a Receiver.

It is a spare presentation of a dystopic future world where the "problems" of humanity have all been neatly resolved; everyone is polite, happy with their job, unthreatened by pain, sickness, conflict and even death.Though it becomes quickly evident that what the author really gives us is a rather convincing rationalization for the fact that evil, pain and suffering are necessary.Foes of religious belief often claim that the idea of pain and suffering is inconsistent with a loving God; but, even for the secular among us, Ms. Lowry shows how suffering and joy are linked."The Giver" argues that granting unlimited license to those who would sacrifice individual choice in their attempts to achieve relief from war, famine and economic inequality could very well eliminate that which makes life worth living."The Giver" says much about the danger of placing the interests of the community above the interests of individuals.

To say much about the story risks spoiling the slow exposition of the underlying flaws in the utopia, which was exceptionally well paced.At first the "community" seems vaguely creepy, by the end of the book it is horrifying."The Giver" is a novel of ideas that begs to be discussed and argued over as the part of any moral education.It is powerful beyond my ability to express and like any truth, it offers something of value to any reader at any level.

Highest Recommendation.

Great Series
Lois Lowry is one of those unique authors who has won the John Newbery Medal for children's literature twice. Once for the first book in this trilogy and once for a book about the Holocaust called Number the Stars. (Just as an aside only one other author has ever done that Madeleine L'Engle who I would also recommend highly.) I would begin by recommending any of her books; they are all worth the time and the effort.This trilogy is set in a post apocalyptic world. The first two books each focus on different community's who have recovered from the devastation differently, both have strengths and both have weaknesses. And a young boy must heal them both and the land if either is to survive.

The Giver
Lois Lowry
Laurel-Leaf Books
ISBN:0440219078

Jonas is a young boy who lives in a community with a lot of technology and many rules about it. He has only seen an airplane twice for planes were not suppose to over fly villages, it was against the rules. Children of the same age are raised together and each December they move up a grade, when the reach the age of twelve they are selected for occupational training Jonas in talking to his friend states about selections: "Jonas Shrugged. It didn't worry him, how could someone not fit in? The Community was so meticulously ordered, the choices so carefully made." However all the other Twelve's were assigned and Jonas was skipped then at the end of the ceremony it was announced that he had been selected he was chosen to become the `receiver of memory.' He was to learn all the history and story of the people and become an advisor to the council that ruled the village. It only happened every so many generations and only 1 keeper of memories was installed in each village. Jonas and his family take in an infant who is not maturing and growing quickly enough. The child is given a year extension, when the child is marked to me replaced (abandoned and killed). Jonas takes the child and runs away. Through the winter Jonas knows he will not make it and pours all the memories he has learnt into the child. But can he save the child? What will happen to him and his community? Jonas thought his world was perfect, that the elders had everything under control, that there would never be war again. But also a world without choices. Till he is given the knowledge of the past the choice to save a child or let it die?

Gathering Blue
Lois Lowry
Laurel-Leaf Books
ISBN:0440229499

Kira, is an orphan and she has a twisted leg, she lives in a village with very little technology and one that casts aside those who do not contribute. The weak, injured, and helpless are abandoned. However things are starting to turn around for Kira, she has been spared by the all powerful Council of Guardians, for she has a gift she is a weaver and can die cloths in ways no other in the community can. As an artisan she is installed in the palatial Council Edifice and spends the whole year working her trade, her primary task is to care for the Robe of Remembrance that tell's the story of this community. But with her privilege comes expectations that she will do the council biddings. She befriends a young boy and his ragged dog, Matty `The Fiercest of the Fierce'. Matt tells Kira about another village where people are not cast aside, where they share their food. Matt brings her a gift the color blue, and a blind man that is her father. She is torn between staying and leaving the life she knows, and the truths she can find out what will happen.

Messenger
Lois Lowry
Thomas Allen & Son
ISBN:0618404414

Matt has returned he is with Kira's father and living in the new community from beyond yonder. This village is guided by love and compassion, and guided by the `Leader' a seer arrived in this village one winter night many years ago on a sleigh with an older boy who did not survive the journey. The Seer can see the future and can often see for people what might be for his people. Matty is almost at the age where he will be named, he is hoping to be named `Messenger' for he takes message both in the village and to other villages which many can not do. But things are changing, the village is becoming hostile, starting to turn people away and the woods are becoming ferial and people are dieing. Can the Leader save the village, can the world be healed, what will happen to Kira, her father and Matty?

These three books will challenge you, after reading The Giver the first time I was overwhelmed and it haunted me for a long time. I went back and have reread it many many times. All three books raise questions about community, love, friendship, and care for other people. They also show dark paths that we as a people can go down, and how it can devastate all around us when we make the wrong choices for the wrong reasons. ... Read more

Product Description
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated". Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life. An ALA Notable Book. A "School Library Journal" Best Book of the Year. Teacher's Guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Funny & innocent for tweens
I read these books when I was a tween; about 20 years ago and adored them.My 9 year old has read two & wants more, more, more of Anastasia! I have heard her laugh out loud while she reads! Written in the 80's, these books show an innocent and sometimes hilarious view of a teenagers life with all the typical complications minus today's sex & drugs, & parties.Good, clean fun & not at all boring!

Lois lowry is a genius.
Her heroine, Anastasia Krupnik is pretty and yet insecure and awkward, like most 12-3-14 year olds are. As an asian girl living outside the US, i related very much to anastasia's little dramas, and also got a peek at what a typical American teenage girl's life is like.

It was enlightening to read books like this that described how; anastasia had liked this AFrican-American schoolmate, for example. And even if this book was published in the 80s, it marked the comfortability of americans with interracial relationships. The ease of slang language and even how her parents related to her (or didnt), is something familiar to every kid growing up. And what about the school cliques? and the obsessive-compulsive lists? Lois Lowry reminds me of Douglas Coupland in that sense, only, she writes for kids (which is actually harder). ... Read more

Product Description
When their mother starts to date the mystery man on the fifth floor, who has been instructed by his agent to "eliminate the children" by the first of May, eleven-year-old Caroline and her older brother figure they're targeted to be the victims of a savage crime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Looking for a Little Mystery?
I had to read this book for an assignment in my children's literature class at West Virginia State College.I found this book to be an easy read and easy to follow the story line.I read this book in one day, not because I had to but because I wanted to.I would recommend this book to someone who likes a little mystery in their lives.

Reasons to like this book if you like the reasons
The 100th Thing About Caroline is a great book.You will really like it if you have ever mixed up something real with an idea from your imagination.You will also like it if you think some people look like dinosaurs.The number one reason I liked this book is because of the funny ending.

100th Thing About Caroline
Caroline Tateisanoverlyimaginative11 yearoldthatfindsherselfinvestigatinga possiblemurder.Theonlything isisthat sheand herbrotherarethepotentialvictims.Thestorytakesplace in asmallapartmentbuildingin New York Citywhichiswhere Caroline found a letter.Theletterwaswrittentothe" Mystery Man",FrederickFiskewhojusthappens to be datingCaroline's mother. Theletter said that Joanna Tate ( Caroline's mother)isterrific, butthe kidsMUST beeliminated. Therestofthestoryis suspensefulasCaroline,J.P.andCaroline'sfriendStacyinvestigateFrederick Fiskeisreallyacold -bloodedkiller.I enjoyed readingthisbookreading this & I recommend it because it keeps you guessing until the very end.

The One Hundredth Thing About Caroline Book Review
The One HundredthThing About Caroline is about a girl named Caroline Tate.Caroline is eleven years old.She is determined about being a paleontologist when she grows up.She lives in an apartment with, her mom and her annoying older brother James Priestly Tate (J.P.).Caroline's mom & dad are divorced so her dad lives somewhere else.J.P., Caroline and her friend Stacy Bauritcher who wants to be a detective, find a letter in the trash for Fredrick Fiske. It says to eliminate the kids, so he can marry the mother.Stacy finds out that Caroline and J.P. are the kids that will be eliminated.If you like mysteries PLUS adventurestories you should probably read this book!

Great book, but not like other Lowry works
I found this book a page-turner which you cannot put down. It was funny, yet I felt it did not have some of the charm in Lois Lowry's other series, about Anastasia Krupnik. It is a book I would recommend, though, but somehow Ms. Lowry did not mix in that special ingredient she does for other books. It still is a wonderful book, so please read it. The Hundredth Thing About Caroline, though, has a hilarious plot, and intriging story. ... Read more

Product Description
Gooney Bird Greene likes to be right smack in the middle of everything. That's why she wants to have the lead role of Squanto in her class Thanksgiving pageant. But that role will go to whoever finds someone to be the room mother. All the parents are so busy, no one can bring cupcakes to the play. Gooney Bird Greene to the rescue! She finds a room mother alright, but promises not to tell who it is until the day of the play. Now the kids are really busy getting ready for the show. But will the mystery room mother really show up? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great!I learned a lesson.
I read this book and I thought it was great because it kept my attention all the way through.I couldn't stop reading it.

Gooney Bird and the Room Mother enjoyable
As I began to read the front flap of the book it immediately aroused my curiosity."Who is the Room Mother?" I think that students in the primary grades will relate to the character and will want to continue to read the rest of the series.Gooney Bird appears to be witty and funny. The book appears to be an enjoyable read.

Heartwarming Story and Teaching Aid as Well
For those of you with daughters looking for books with strong, memorable female characters, Gooney Bird Greene is a must read series. We borrowed this book from the library initially, and enjoyed it so much we bought a copy for my daughter's 3rd grade class, along with 8 dictionaries for the third graders to use. Not only is it an enjoyable story for the first- to third-grade age range, it also motivates them to learn how to use a dictionary. I agree with one of the other reviewers that the story is not quite as strong as the first book, but it is still an enjoyable read.

Additionally, it has a surprise ending that got me choked up, and when I checked to see how my daughter's teacher liked it, she had also been surprised and choked up by the ending.

Lastly, it wasn't until we picked up some other books by Lois Lowry that we discovered she has won a couple Newbery awards for other books she has written.

Squanto
I loved Gooney Bird Greene and so did my class of second graders. This one was less exciting.I had high hopes for it because we study Sqaunto.We will read it next year and I am sure we will learn to use our dictionaries like GB's class.

loved it
Gooney Bird Green is in search of the perfect room mother for her second grade class.The teacher has set up a contest.The person who finds the class a room mother will get to be Squanto in the Thanksgiving play.Join Gooney Bird in her search.You will be surprised to find out who she finds to fill the role!
The book was very funny.
I would recommend this book.It's a must read for all Lois Lowry Fans.

... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Kliatt, published by Kliatt on May 1, 2005. The length of the article is 472 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Lowry, Lois. The silent boy.(Book Review)
Author: Paula Rohrlick
Publication: Kliatt (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2005
Publisher: Kliatt
Volume: 39Issue: 3Page: 28(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
Anastasia's seventh-grade science project becomes almost more than she can handle, but her brother Sam, age three, and a bust of Freud, aid her nobly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

pretty damn good
It was nic ... Read more

Product Description
Mysterious things begin to happen after Uncle Claude comes to stay with his sister's family. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

and a half
It was a pretty good book a little boring or predictible in some parts but i giv it 4 1/2

I thought this book was a very interesting book.
Us and Uncle Fraud is a very interesting book. The sadest part of this book was when Tom was in a coma because he was tempted to save his brother and sister from the flood. I would rate this as an eight. ... Read more

Product Description
12 Stories with discussion questions and activities with 10 lesson plans standards-based for PreK-6. Includes two sets of student Readers for small group exercises ... Read more

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Forced to spend a summer with their father and his "new" family, Caroline, age eleven, and J.P., age thirteen, are given unpleasant responsibilities for which they are determined to get revenge. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Switcharound
Switcharound
By Lois Lowry
This book is about two siblings named Caroline and J.P. who do not agree on anything and who's parents are divorced and live in different parts of the country.They have to go and visit their father, his wife, Lillian, Their son, David(Poochie) and their twins Holly and Ivy.They hate their father and are prepared for a terrible summerwith him.But in the end their summer is very fun and eventful and they want to go back to their fathers again as soon as possible.Also their visit breaks up their war and they have a summer without any fighting.
I liked this book a lot and there are many things I like about it.One thing I liked about it was that it was very eventful.Like when they are on the plain going to their dads house.Also I like how there is a lot of detail.For example when it explains what the twins look like it explains every little mark on their bodies including the mole on the back of Ivy's shoulder.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes realistic fiction.I would also recommend this book to people who are at an medium to fast level of reading.

Trying to Have a Fun Summerby Jeremy Anderson
Have you ever had to spend the summer doing things you hated? If you want to know what happens you should read the book Switcharound. Its about a brother and sister that makes up a baseball team so they do not have to g o to there dad’s. They went last year and thought it was boring. They hated it.The siblings tried to explain to their mom that the reason they couldn’t go was because they had a baseball team and would rather stay and play then go to their dad’s.There was one problem.Their plan didn’t work.Their mom made them go to their dad’s anyway.It didn’t matter how much they begged, there was no way to get out of it.Was their summer ruined?Was it as boring as they expected?To find out, you’ll have to read Switcharound by Lois Lowry.

Stay! Keeper's story is the best book I ever read.
The words are hard and sometimes exasperating, but the book brings a lot of humer. Lowry did a great job on making everyhing seem so lively. It must have took a lot of contemplation to write that book. Lowry's a greatauther, and I'm glad the amount of her books aren't meager.

A great book for Lois Lowry fans!
If you liked The One-Hundredth Thing About Caroline, you'll love this book.Caroline and her brother J.P. go to Des Moines, Iowa to spend the summer with their father.Everything gets switched around! ... Read more

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