Please forgive me for posting a vintage book, but I would like to know some info. I was at a charity shop looking through the books, and picked up "The Giver" 1993 publishing, for my grandson. I started reading it and discovered it was signed by Lois Lowry. Is there any value to it.
why would you buy such a sad book for a child ? Parents complained of violent and sexual passages, and the book was temporarily banned. In 1995, parents in Montana challenged the book due to infanticide and euthanasia, and the school required parental permission before reading it. The Giver is sad and weary because he has to bear the painful memories for the entire community. ... The elders want Jonah to absorb all the memories so that only he has the pain. The Giver is sad because he knows that Jonah's training will be long and painful.
You could follow this Ebay auction for a signed first edition, and see where it ends up. https://www.ebay.com/itm/184788450270?hash=item2b063ffbde:g:d9AAAOSwrkhgej4C Years ago my daughter (pretty sure in middle school) had it as required reading.
I would think Montana banning a book would serve as a strong recommendation to read it. From the New York Times... "Despite occasional logical lapses, "The Giver," a powerful and provocative novel, is sure to keep older children reading. And thinking." Debora
Fyi, here's the offering of signed copies on abebooks.com. https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Se...tn=the+giver&cm_sp=pan-_-srp-_-sgnd&rollup=on Debora
Parents complained of violent and sexual passages, and the book was temporarily banned. In 1995, parents in Montana challenged the book due to infanticide and euthanasia, and the school required parental permission before reading it. The Giver is sad and weary because he has to bear the painful memories for the entire community. ... The elders want Jonah to absorb all the memories so that only he has the pain. The Giver is sad because he knows that Jonah's training will be long and painful.[/QUOTe I guess I look at things quite differently. What scares me more about the book is a society living without emotion. Seeing what society looks like with complete adherence, equality among the masses, no ability to make choices of ones own, and the value of a life only being what the elders consider worthy, therefore, enter infanticide and euthanasia. These two things are happening in the world today, and even children should know this when they are able to process the information, and also know there is an ability to overcome these horrific practices. If the receiver is strong he will find his ability to change things and bring justice and joy into the world. Change can happen. I want my grandchildren to be able to absorb the message the book gives and to feel empowered, and accepting of the uniqueness of all humanity as well as our shared love for all life. I think the parents in Montana were probably less able to understand the message of the book, while if allowed,many of their children may have processed it with great discussions in class. The world has changed greatly and it's not all warm and cuddly. Just my beliefs, surely not everyones. BTW, I'm talking 13 and 14 year old. Each parent would have to judge for themselves of course.I pretty much parented my own children talking about all unjust issues. They all turned out ok. One lives in NYC and was serving in Queens to feed and house people. A son who served 24 years in the US Marines, a daughter who is a teacher, and a daughter who loves to keep house and take care of children in her home. None of their paths were chosen for them by anyone but themselves.
Yeah, I pretty much feel that way too. I think it's good for kids to think and have discussions about society in the classroom. I'm not a real fan of book burnings either, although I can think of a few I'd like to burn in my wood stove.
Now he's headed to Iraq, working for a military contractor. Surely not a career I would have chosen for him, thus the importance and ability to choose one's own path. He was happy serving in the military. We are proud of him though, and I will never forget my father's face when we took him to watch his graduation from boot camp. He was so proud of him, the only grandson.
