By Lois Lowry

 Born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1937  Moved to rural Pa. when WWII began  Lived all over U.S., as well as Japan  Graduated from Boston U. and U. of Southern Maine  Also worked as a freelance journalist and photographer  Now lives in Maine

 Published first book, A Summer to Die, in 1978  Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye made into a TV movie  Anastasia Krupnik named ALA Notable Book  Won two Newbery Awards for Number the Stars and The Giver

In groups of 3-4:  Describe your idea of a perfect society.  Details please!  What rules/laws would you need?  At least 10  How would your laws be enforced?  Who is in charge? Who has the power?  How would decisions be made?  Think of a name for your society.

1. palpable 2. apprehensive 3. pondered 4. transgression 5. chastisement 6. petulantly 7. hoarded 8. nondescript 9. gravitating 10. chortled

1. palpable - real 2. apprehensive - fearful 3. pondered - considered 4. transgression - wrongdoing 5. chastisement - scolding 6. petulantly - irritably 7. hoarded - collected 8. nondescript - plain 9. gravitating – being drawn toward 10. chortled – laughed; chuckled

1. What is significant about the airplane incident in the opening pages of the story? 2. Why is Jonas apprehensive about the upcoming Ceremony? 3. How are Assignments determined in the community? 4. Why does the community value “precision of speech”? 5. What are the different ways the community views “release”? 6. Explain the role of Birthmother in Jonas’s community. 7. How is conformity encouraged in the community? 8. What is the purpose of the telling of feelings session? 9. Why didn’t Jonas share the incident involving the apple with his family at the telling of feelings session that evening? 10. How are the elderly treated in Jonas’s Community?

What is significant about the airplane incident in the opening pages of the story? It points out how strict the community is because the pilot was released after making a wrong turn. Why is Jonas apprehensive about the upcoming Ceremony? Because he is turning 12 and will receive his assignment, he is apprehensive about what the assignment may be and whether he will be disappointed with what is chosen for him. How are Assignments determined in the community? Assignments are determined by observation by the Elders which consider a child’s interests, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. Why does the community value “precision of speech”? Members of the community must use words with the exact meaning so that there is no room for interpretation or feelings.

What are the different ways the community views “release”? Release for new-children is viewed as sad because they have not had the opportunity to live in the community and have done nothing wrong. Release for the elderly is viewed as a time of celebration for the life they have lead. Release for a transgression is viewed as a disgrace. Explain the role of Birthmother in Jonas’s community. The role of Birthmother has very little honor. They receive pampering during their reproductive years and then become laborers in the community. How is conformity encouraged in the community? Conformity or being the same is encouraged through dress. Everyone wears the same clothing, participates in the same ceremonies.

What is the purpose of the telling of feelings session? It encourages members of the community to analyze their feelings so that they are looked at with fewer emotions. It helps prevent them from becoming overemotional about daily events. Why didn’t Jonas share the incident involving the apple with his family at the telling of feelings session that evening? Jonas was confused and was unsure how to put the event into words. How are the elderly treated in Jonas’s Community? When they are no longer productive members of the society, they are moved to The House of Old. After this, they are clelebrated and then “released.”

Using the 10 words from Chapters 1-4, write a newspaper article telling about an event that was newsworthy from the book. This article must be written from Jonas’s point of view and at least 8 sentences.