Ms. Osterhaug presents The Giver

Background Information about the Author – Lois Lowry Born: March 20, 1937 (age 76), Hawaii Lives in Cambridge, Massachussettes Awards: Newbery Medal for The Giver in 1993 and for Number the Starts in 1989, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, Regina Medal, National Jewish Book Award for Children's Literature, Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature and More Education: University of Southern Maine, Brown University Movies: The Giver Nominations: Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, Jane Addams Children's Book Award, Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, National Book Award for Children's Fiction (Paperback)More Other Books: Over 30 other books, among them Number the Stars,

Lexile Level and Number of Pages AR Level 6.6 Interest Level Grade 5 to 8 Number of Pages: 179 Published in 1993 Chapters: 23, about 6 to 12 pages long.

Book Format This book does NOT have Introduction Epilogue Index Glossary Dedication: “For all the children to whom we entrust the future”

Setting Describe the Time Period(s) WHEN this book takes place Takes place in the future: characters tell of disease and wars as things of the past, but we still have them boring, because clothes are all the same by age. Community-oriented: the youngest and oldest are cared for by the community, not individual families. gray and colorless, because clothes, houses, bikes, etc. are all made to look the same. No one can see color. Timeless. People don’t keep track of time anymore. “After twelve, age isn’t important. Most of us even lose track of how old we are…” (p. 17)

Setting cont. Describe the place or places WHERE this story is situated. Takes place in a town with school, community center administrative buildings, hospital, etc. Sounds square and cold, because houses look the same, people look the same, haircuts are all the same “Attention: this is a reminder to females under 9 that hair ribbons are to be neatly tied at all times.” (p. 23)

Main Characters (2-4) Main Character 1 Jonas Main Character 2 The Giver Main Character 3 His mother Main Character 4 His father Main Character 5 Gabriel

Main Character Information - Main Character 1 - Jonas The first main character Jonas is very thoughtful. Evidence in Text (you need 2): He spends many hours thinking about where his life is going (p.20). He wonders how he fits into the community (p.17). Another trait of this character is his gentleness. He treats his little sister and their adopted baby very gently (p.35). His friend Asher is unusual, but Jonas sticks by him and does not make fun of his mishaps. In addition, we found this character to be courageous. After he is selected as Receiver, he faces the new assignment even though he hears there will be lots of pain.

Main Character Information Main Character 2 The Giver The second main character is exhausted. His face shows many lines and he is bent over. He moves slowly and sighs a lot with weariness. In addition, we found this character to be patient. He waits for Jonas to get settled and used to his new situation. When telling memories, he spends a lot of time, even though it is painful and exhausting for him. Another trait of this character is responsibility. He stuck to his job for a long time, until the community found the right person to replace him, even though he was very tired already. He takes his job of teaching Jonas very seriously and spends lots of time with him.

Main Character Information - Describe in complete sentences using adjectives and supporting evidence from the text. Main Character 3 We would describe the third main character as ________________. (List at least 2 to 3 actions in the book that show why you chose this adjective.) Another trait of this character is ______________. (List at least 2 to 3 actions in the book that show why you chose this trait.) In addition, we found this character to be ____________.

Main Character Information - Describe in complete sentences using adjectives and supporting evidence from the text. Main Character 4 The fourth main character is ________________. (List at least 2 to 3 actions in the book that show why you chose this adjective.) Another trait of this character is ______________. (List at least 2 to 3 actions in the book that show why you chose this trait.) In addition, we found this character to be ____________.

Plot - Main Events with Explanation of Importance Main Event 1 – describe with characters, actions, when and where (Why is it important to the story) Main Event 2 - describe with characters, actions, when and where Main Event 3 - describe with characters, actions, when and where

Plot - Main Events with Explanation of Importance Main Event 4 - describe with when and where (Why is it important to the story) Main Event 5 - describe with when and where

Plot - Main Events with Explanation of Importance (Why is it important to the story) Main Event 7 (?)

Main Even 1: The New Baby Jonas’s family takes in a new baby, Gabriel. His father brings him home from the Nurturing Center, where he works. This is important to the story because: Babies are taken care of by nurturers until given to families to raise This baby is fussy and may have to be “released” if he does not learn to behave “normally” like other babies It is not normal to give babies a chance like this and may be against the rules.

Main Even 2: The “Ceremony” Jonas takes part in the “Ceremony” at the age of 12. It is held in the Community Center during a holiday, so all families can attend. This is important to the story, because: During “Ceremony,” grade levels of students are moved up to the next year with new looks, rights, and responsibilities. Jonas’s age group, the 11s turning 12, receive the job assignments for their adult years. Jonas is apprehensive about the ceremony, excited and nervous at the same time. Jonas is selected as “The Receiver”, a special and honored position. Everyone is surprised and excited about his selection, but Jonas is not sure if he likes this honor.

Main Even 3: Training begins Jonas visits “The Giver” every afternoon to receive the memories of the community from times past. The training takes place in a separate Annex, where the Giver lives, every day after school. Jonas learns about new feelings and experiences such as snow, sun, love, and war. Experiences a lot of joy, but also intense pain in the memories Cannot share training with anyone besides The Giver Begins to see color

Main Even 4: “The Pill” Jonas decides not to take medication anymore. The pill is given to all teenagers to keep them from feeling uncomfortable After training starts, he decides not to take the pill anymore Starts feeling reactions to things around him Has to start keeping his reactions to himself – to hide his feelings Begins feeling different from others

Main Even 5: “Release” Jonas watches how his father “releases” a baby not wanted by the committee Understands what “release” really is Realizes that his parents lie to him regularly Realizes that no one is really feeling anything Understands that “The Committee” decides everything Understands that people have no choice left gets very angry and upset

Main Even 6: The Plan The Giver and Jonas decide to change the system. This is important to the story, because: Giver and Jonas decide that The Committee is wrong Want to give feelings back to community Jonas will have to go away to make plan work The plan is dangerous for Jonas

Main Even 7: The Emergency Jonas has to leave immediately. Can’t wait for support of The Giver Has to take Gabriel Where does he go and will he make it?

Theme of the Story – Give Evidence Why this is the Theme The Theme of the story is ______ “theme” – the subject, the topic of the story, or: the lesson to be learned from this story What are events that show you that this is the theme of the story? Event 1 Event 2 Event 3

Theme of the Story The Theme of the story is Courage. Events that are evidence of this theme: Event 1: Jonas has the courage to take on his difficult job. Event 2: The Giver has the courage to want to change the system with Jonas’s help. Event 3: Jonas has the courage to leave the community when he realizes that he can’t wait for the Giver’s plan.

Conflict - Problems and Challenges Problem/Challenge 1: Problem/Challenge 2: Problem/Challenge (3) Problem/Challenge (4):

Conflict - Problems and Challenges Problem/Challenge 1: Jonas finds out that he has to lie to his family and friends. Problem/Challenge 2: Jonas cannot accept the way the community is run. Problem/Challenge 3: Jonas and the Giver have to find a solution to their frustration. Problem/Challenge 4: Gabriel is supposed to be released.

How do characters deal with Conflict - Problems/Challenges? Problem/Challenge 1 (Show 3 specific actions how the character dealt with this) Problem/Challenge 2

How do characters deal with Conflict - Problems/Challenges? Problem/Challenge 1: Jonas finds out that he has to lie to his family and friends. Stops talking to them as he used to Talks to little Gabriel Shares only with the Giver

Problem/Challenge 2:Jonas cannot accept the way the community is run. Cries to release his anger Stays with the Giver because he can’t face his family Makes plans with the Giver to change the community

Problem/Challenge 3: Jonas and the Giver have to find a solution to their frustration. Work to transfer all memories to Jonas Make a plan to have community realize what has happened over the years Take a lot of time to plan to deal with the danger

Problem/Challenge 4: Gabriel is supposed to be released. Jonas leaves immediately Pretends he died in the river Travels during the night to avoid search planes

Vocabulary from the Book Word 1: Type of Word: Meaning, Found on Page_____ Quote/Sentence where we found this word: _________________________________ Important to the Story Because _______ Another place where you could use this word: _________________________

Vocabulary from the Book Word 1: precision Type of Word: noun Meaning: being correct and accurate Synonym: exactness, accuracy Antonym: Vagueness Found on Page: 89 Quote/Sentence where we found this word: “Even trained for years in precision of language as they all had been, what words could you use, which would give another the experience of sunshine?”

Vocabulary from the Book Word 1: precision This word is important to the story because children are trained early on to be precise in their language to avoid confusion and arguments. They are given slaps with a small stick as early as 3 years old if they use a word in the wrong context. Another place where you could use this word: The board was cut with great precision to fit into the bookcase.

Vocabulary from the Book Word 2: Type of Word Meaning, Found on Page_____ Quote/Sentence where we found this word: _________________________________ Important to the Story Because _______ Another place where you could use this word: _________________________

Closing Thoughts What can someone learn or experience through reading this book? How did this book affect you as readers? If you don’t agree as a team, list the different opinions your team created Would you recommend it to other readers? Why would you recommend it/ would not recommend it? What kind of reader would like it? Why?

Closing Thoughts A person reading this book may experience the comfort that comes from ignorance – not knowing what you are missing – and the cost of having choices. At the same time, he or she may realize that even though it is difficult to have to deal with emotions, there is value in being able to choose what you want to experience and not having someone lay out your life for you.

Closing Thoughts How did this book affect you as readers? I was moved by Jonas’s pain at finding out that most of his life was based on a lie. I also admired his courage and wonder whether I would want to be in his role of knowing what is going on or rather be one of the happy people who just accept the life they were given. Would you recommend it to other readers? Yes, I strongly recommend this book to young teens, because it shows how someone their age struggles with having to grow up and taking on great responsibility. This book is appropriate for ages 12 and up, because it takes some maturity to follow the theme, and remains interesting even for adults in its topic as well as use of language.

Sources Lois Lowry: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/lois-lowry Book Cover: https://www.google.com/shopping/