The Giver

Title:  The Giver

Author:  Lois Lowry

Illustrator:  None

Publisher:   Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Publication Date:  Reissue September 2012

ISBN:  978-0547995663

Audience:  Ages 10 and up

The Giver, the 1994 Newbury Award winner, has sold over eight million copies worldwide, been translated into at least 20 languages, and is required reading in most upper elementary or middle school classes.  It is often seen as the genesis of young adult dystopian novels that are so popular today.   It is also one of the most widely banned or challenged books on school library shelves. When Lowry ended The Giver she said it was finished; she had no plans for a sequel. Time, innumerable requests from readers, and possibly the death of her son, an Army pilot, prompted her to reconsider. Gathering Blue was published in 2000; Messenger in 2004. Son, 2012, brings The Giver quartet to its close. The four books can be read as independent stories; The Giver and Son are more closely related than the middle two volumes. All four occur in roughly the same time period in three different settings with several of the main characters appearing in each of the volumes. While Lowry’s, direct, clear prose is accessible to good upper elementary readers, the themes of this quartet are most appropriate for middle school and beyond.

Summary: In some distant, undated future, Jonas lives securely with his family in a community where everyone has food, clothes, shelter, education, and an assigned work for life.  It is also a controlled community without color, animals, seasons, music, love, or choice, a community of sameness. At age twelve Jonas is chosen to be the Receiver of Memories, the most honored role in the community.  He prepares for this task by meeting with the Giver, an elder, who holds in himself all the memories of the past and the wisdom that comes with them, for this is a community that has chosen to live without the pain or joy of memory.  The Giver recognizes in Jonas the gift of “seeing beyond,” first indicated by his ability to see color. He transmits to Jonas by touch memories-of joy, family holidays, seasons, sailing, sledding, pain, warfare, loneliness, hunger, and cruelty. In his time with the Giver Jonas learns the high cost of the peace and security of his village.  Those who are old, newchildren who have special needs, those who are disruptive are “released,” a euphemism for lethal injection. Jonas and Giver begin to plan how Jonas might escape to Elsewhere and how the community could be freed for a richer life. These plans are disrupted because Jonas must rescue the toddler, Gabriel, from release. Jonas abandons the careful plans for escape in order to leave immediately with Gabe. Bicycling by day, hiding by night, Jonas and Gabe finally encounter snow and the promise of Elsewhere.

Literary elements at work in the story: Lois Lowry, with powerful imagination and literary skill, has created a dystopian society that lulls and deceives with its peace and security while subtly destroying the capacity to know, to feel, to establish relationships. Her clear, matter-of-fact prose brings the community to life in almost a monotone. This community has technical resources-the ability to control climate, to eliminate color- that are implied and are an important aspect of dystopian fiction, but Lowry gives few details about these. No summary can do justice to this tense, well-plotted novel.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? In this community there are few differences.  Birthmother is considered an inferior role but in most instances male and female are equal. All are provided with the same food, clothes and houses.  Intellectual ability distinguishes some community members; non-conformists are simply removed. Members are unaware of other cultures or a world outside their own.

Theological Conversation Partners: The Giver is a goldmine of theological themes for Christians to explore: memory, vocation, gifts, love, relationships, the ability to choose, the value of life, the ideal community.  The Bible calls us to remember. ( Ex, 13:3; Lk. 22:14-19).  What happens when we suppress memory? Each Christian has a vocation and a gift?  Paul speaks of his call, of the gifts that are given to the church community by the Spirit.(1 Cor.12:4-7) Jesus calls us to a life of persecution and hardship and is called “The Suffering Servant;” the community plans so that there will be no hardship or difficulties. (Matt. 5:10,11)  Genesis tells us that we are created in the image of God and taking life is forbidden in the Decalogue. This community eliminates life that is disruptive or a drain on its resources..  The Kingdom of God is a central biblical concept, a time when God’s justice and love will be the basis of community, when God’s will is done.  Historically groups have tried to plan perfect communities and they have always failed or lost more than they gained.  In what way does the Kingdom of God differ from these utopias?  Does God’s will established mean there are no choices?

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What good things do you see about the community in which Jonas lives?
2. What things are undesirable?
3. Why is memory essential to a community and why has this community limited memories to just one person?
4. How many decisions rest in the hands of the Committee of Elders?  Why does Jonas think, at first, that this is a good thing? Are mistakes a necessary part of life?
5. While family units are important in the community, is there any mention of marriage or love? Did these units work well? How were spouses chosen?  Is there any good in this system?
6. Is it possible to have meaningful relationship without risk or pain?
7. Is there such a thing as a disruptive life?  A life that costs too much to maintain?
8. Jonas had a special gift that enabled him to see beyond his community of sameness.  Paul suggests that every Christian has a gift for the enrichment of the church. Do you recognize gifts in others in the church?  In yourself?
9. The Christian’s term for the ideal community is the Kingdom of God.  How would it differ from Jonas’s community?
10. On what basis was a life work assigned in the community?  How will you choose your vocation? What part does the church have in guiding your vocational choice?

This review was written by regular contributor Virginia Thomas.

Catching Fire

Name of Book:  Catching Fire

Author:  Suzanne Collins

Book Design:  Elizabeth Parisi

Publisher:  Scholastic Press

Audience:  Ages 12 and up

Summary:  The second in a trilogy of science fiction stories, Catching Fire is written for adolescent youth and older due to graphic and violent content.

Katniss and Peeta were victors of the 74^th Hunger Games. As victors of the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta are required to tour all of Panem’s districts in order to personally reveal the victors to each district.  President Snow has tasked Katniss with the job of relieving tensions in the districts that have ensued after they witnessed Katniss and Peeta’s very blatant defiance of the Capital during the Hunger Games.  At each district stop the tensions continue to rise regardless of Katniss’s best efforts.

After the district tours, as they return to a life of luxury, they soon realize that it will not last for long.  In an attempt to squelch the rebellious thought that are engulfing the district, President Snow announces that the next Hunger Games will require former victors to play the games again.  As training begins for the Hunger Games it becomes clear that their mentor Haymitch is scheming to have Katniss and Peeta ally with other districts’ victors.  Throughout the games things seem strange to Katniss and Peeta. Eventually with the help of Beetee, another past victor, Katniss destroys the arena.  The next thing Katniss knows she is on a hospital bed and believes she is in the hands of the Capital. Ready to attempt an escape, she ends up in a room where she realizes that she is safe with her mentor, Haymitch and another victor, Finnick.  Katniss realizes that she has been a pawn in the hands of the rebel forces trying to build an uprising against the Capital.  As the book ends, Katniss becomes aware that there is a District 13 and that District 12 is destroyed.

Note: While the series has no Christian references at all, there are a number of routes one can take in discussing Christian faith with teenage readers. Parents are strongly encouraged to read this book either before their children or alongside their children and engage in regular faith-based discussions.

Literary elements at work in the story:  This is a science fiction dystopia of revenge imposed by the country leadership onto the individual districts. It is told from the first person point of view of Katniss, a 16 year old tribute to the Games. It is her story of rebellion with, and fear of, the Capital. Katniss is portrayed as the protector in this book. The setting takes place in District 12, on the train bound for the other districts, as well as in the Capital and in the games arena.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economic/ability make a difference to the story?  Although victors are seen as wealthy in the eyes of their districts, no amount of wealth can keep them from the requirement of taking part in the Hunger Games. The Capital still flexes powerful oppression over the citizens of Panem, leaving no one exempt, especially when the Capital is tricked or threatened.

Scripture:  John 3:16-21

Theology:  As humans we fall short of the glory of God, but we are still loved and desired by God. We have turned away from God, and each other, in search of our own personal and societal gains. As sinners, we have gone against “the way it’s supposed to be.” We are unable to turn ourselves back toward God and unable to make our relationship with God and one another right. Through God’s mercy and abundant love, we are made right with God and others through Jesus Christ, the light in our darkness.

Faith Talk Questions

1. Why are the second Hunger Games so much more difficult for Katniss?
2. Why are the Capitol citizens upset to learn that former victors will be tributes again?
3. Which characters in this book value human life?
4. What does God teach us about the value of a human life?
5. When we acknowledge the humanity of someone, how does that change the way we treat them as a person?
6. Katniss and Peeta find it hard to trust others.  Do you ever find it hard to trust?
7. How do you think God would react to the Capitol’s treatment of the citizens of Panem?
8. How do you think God would react to Katniss and Peeta’s behavior as they try and survive?
9. Is it ever okay to lie about relationships and family dynamics to help save a life?
10. As a Christian, how would you handle being in a situation like Katniss and Peeta, fighting for your life? What if your family were at stake?
11. Who was the light in the darkness for Katniss and Peeta? Who is the light in your darkness?

Review prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary graduate Katie Todd

Island of the Skog

Name of Book:  Island of the Skog

Author:  Steven Kellogg

Illustrator:  Steven Kellogg

Publisher:  Dial

ISBN:  978-0803738423  (HBK)/978-0140546491   (PBK)

Audience:  Ages 4-8

Summary:  Jenny and her mouse friends take to the seas in search of a more peaceful place to live. But when they arrive what at first seems the island of their dreams, turns out to be an island is inhabited by the Skog.  This funny and exciting story is a perfect introduction to peace for young children.

Literary elements at work in the story:  Steven Kellogg’s use of comical illustrations and cute characters helps soften some of the harsher realities of this story.  His text gives voice to the need to find a new home.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story:  The mice live in a dangerous inner city environment.  The skog live alone on an island.  Neither is happy with the society in which they live.  The mice think taking over someone else’s world is the way to a better place to live.  The skog thinks fear will save his world.  Neither is right and conflict develops.  A good starting place for a discussion on what  society is, this book will also show children and how to bring peace instead of conflict.

Scripture:  Matthew 5: 9

Theology:  “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.”  What does it mean to be a peacemaker?  That is a question that has confounded many.  For some peace is going away from harm like the mice.  For others peace is saving yourself from those that will destroy your way of living.  However, true peacemakers find a way to do what the mice and skog eventually did.  Peacemakers learn to talk through a conflict and find a solution good for both sides.  Being a peacemaker is not easy.  It is only with God’s blessing that we can even hope to have the wisdom and strength to be peacemakers.  Next time someone speaks in anger or you speak in anger towards someone else, stop, pray, and think about how to turn your anger and fear into peace.  The mice and skog did.  You can too.

Faith Questions:

1.         Why did the mice sail off?

2.         Did everyone on the ship want to blaze their way and take over the island?

3.         How did the skog deal with the intruders?

4.         Which character in the book is most like you?

5.         What would you have done in Bouncer’s position?

6.         Who agreed to build a village and live together?

7.         How can we become peacemakers?

8.         What are some things that you can do to be a peacemaker?

Review prepared by guest blogger Janet Lloyd.