1. Introduction to The Giver You won’t like the ending….

2. The Giver  Author – Lois Lowry (1937 - )  Born in Honolulu, Hawaii  Moved around quite a bit (New York, Pennsylvania, Japan)  Now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts  American author of children’s literature  Married at the age of 19 / had four children  Started by working in photography and journalism  First novel, A Summer to Die, was published in 1977.  Inspired by the death of her older sister  Has published more than 30 novels since  Known for writing about controversial and/or complex issues.  Has resulted in both praise and criticism

3. The Giver  Novel background  Published in 1993  Genre: science fiction (takes place in a very different time and place  Explores the issue of a Utopia vs. a Dystopia  Won the 1994 Newbery Medal and has sold more than 5.3 million copies  In Australia, Canada, and the U.S., it is typically part of a middle school required reading list.  Has been placed on the American Library Association’s list of most challenged books of the 1990’s.  Has been banned in many schools, while used every year as part of the curriculum in others.  Due to violence / “release” aka euthanasia / “stirrings” aka increased hormone production in the body

4. Introduction Writing  Imagine if you could create a perfect world. How would it be different than the world you live in right now? How would it be the same? Imagine yourself living there… what would a typical day be like?  Due today…