The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver is the story of a young boy, Jonas, who is just coming of age in a society highly regulated by the government. The council controls every aspect of the inhabitant’s lives, including assigning jobs and controlling emotions, all under the guise of equality. Jonas has the startling assignment of receiver, a position that is shrouded in mystery. Under the wise direction of the Giver, Jonas begins to understand the implications the society’s rules have on its inhabitants.

            The Giver is a well thought out and intriguing novel. Lowry’s first installment of The Giver quartet will leave the reader pondering the benefits and downsides to total government control. Jonas’ struggle to overcome a system that has shaped his entire life is both engaging and heart wrenching. This book is suited for upper elementary school kids and junior high students. 

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Kira’s life is meager and simple. As the book opens, Kira’s mother has died and she is struggling to find her place in a village that looks down upon her and her crippled leg. Kira has always had a knack for embroidery, and when the council in the village see this they commission her to repair a ceremonial robe. Even though Kira’s life improves, she is now privy to the secrets that town council hides. As her skills grow, Kira becomes more aware of some lurking power that allows her to thread the future into her cloth.

            Gathering Blue is book number two in The Giver Quartet. Although this novel seemingly has nothing to do with The Giver, it is set in the same place a number of years after Jonas’ escape. Lowry’s portrayal of strong willed Kira reflects the same depth and beauty as seen in The Giver. This is a great novel that leaves you wanting to know more about the inhabitants of this strange world. This book is ideal for upper elementary and junior high school students. 

Messenger by Lois Lowry

Messenger is the tale of Matty, Kira’s friend from her original village. Matty lives in a village that is a refuge from the harsh surrounding villages with a man named Seer.  Matty is the unofficial messenger for the town as well as the communities surrounding. Very few people manage to go into the dark forest around the village without the forest attacking them. For some reason Matty is able to continually go in and out of the forest with no repercussions. As the people of his town are slowly infiltrated by the foreboding figure Trademaster, Matty is charged with telling the surrounding communities that they will be longer be accepting people into their once friendly village.

            Messenger is book number three in The Giver quartet. Matty is a great character that readers will think very fondly of.  The inclusion of characters in The Giver and Gathering Blue will be a delight and relief to readers. Lowry’s characteristic rich description and masterful story telling will leave the readers anxious to learn of the fate of sweet Matty and his friends. This book is great for upper elementary and junior high students. 

Son by Lois Lowry

Son, Lois Lowry’s final novel in The Giver quartet, follows the travels of Gabe’s birth mother, Claire. Once her escape from the oppressive community is secured, Claire, who is lost at sea during a fierce storm, arrives on the shores of a small community nestled on the base of daunting cliffs. Although most of Claire’s memories are faint, she does remember the pain of her son being ripped from her shortly after his birth. As she slowly becomes a beloved part of this new community, Claire becomes and more and more determined to find her son. Although the community is safe and friendly, the cliffs keep the inhabitants from leaving; no one has dared leave except a mangled young shepherd who has graciously offered his knowledge to help Claire leave. As Claire embarks on her journey she encounters a strange figure who will trade the knowledge of where her son is for her youth.

            There have been a lot of reviews out there that say that Lowry has done a disservice to her readers by answering all the questions posed in The Giver and the following novels. I would have to disagree. Son is a beautifully told novel that has characters and problems with depth and brilliance. Lowry once again has outdone herself  by snaring the reader with issues that are both relatable and intriguing. Son is incredibly well written, and Lowry ties the four books together seamlessly. This dystopian novel would be great for junior high and upper elementary students. 

The Tombs of Atuan

The  Tombs of Atuan is the second book in the Earthsea Cycle. Set on a remote island ruled by the foreboding Nameless Ones, we find our protagonist Arha. Arha at the young age of six has been dedicated to the service of The Nameless Ones. Although Arha takes her role seriously, she is still a young child who is confused and frightened by the task before her. Arha is the only one on the island who is allowed to move freely about the labyrinths beneath the settlement; there the prisoners of The Nameless Ones are kept to die a slow and painful death. As Arha’s only friend and confidant dies, our hero Ged appears on the island in search of half of a ring that will save Earthsea.

            Tombs of Atuan is a great science fiction fantasy book with rich, detailed descriptions that are frankly down right terrifying at times. Arha is a vivid character who plays the role of  faithful and solemn servant as well as bright eyed child equally well. Le Guin does a fantastic job of tying Ged’s quest into Arha’s struggles. This book would be appropriate for high school students.  

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

Brewster “Bruiser” Rawlins has been voted the kid most likely to receive the death penalty in his school. When Bronte starts to show interest in Bruiser, it is no wonder that her twin brother Tennyson doesn’t approve. As the twins become closer to Bruiser, they realize how entangled in his life they will really be, whether they want to or not.  Tennyson soon realizes that Bruiser has the uncanny ability to take on the pain of those he cares about. As Bronte and Tennyson begin to understand this power and see how desperate a situation Bruiser is in with his abusive uncle, they feel compelled to help him.

            This is a great combination of science fiction and contemporary literature. Bruiser, Tennyson, and Bronte have a great dynamic that keeps the dialogue and plot interesting. Shusterman is true to his style of well thought out and compelling characters as well as plot. I really liked this book. This book would be best suited for later middle school to high school. 

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin

A Wizard of Earth Sea by Ursula K. LeGuin  details the struggles of Sparrowhawk, a restless young boy who discovers his uncanny wizarding abilities amidst the poverty he is born into. As news of Sparrowhawk’s power spreads, the wise wizard  Ogin comes to take Sparrowhawk under his wing and help him with his training. There Sparrowhawk learns his new name, Ged, and begins to see the extent of his powers. As Ged develops, he decides to leave the comfort of Ogin’s care to study at the renowned school of wizadry. Once there, Ged in a fit of anger calls forth a spirit from the beyond that begins to stalk him relentlessly. In the following books, Ged struggles to rid himself from the monster, as well as develop his powers.

            This is one of those great books that would probably be categorized under fantastical science fiction. Le Guin creates a world of magic that is based in natural principles and the science of the world the wizards inhabit. The narrative is engaging and lively; Le Guin could certainly be compared to Tolkien in her vivid descriptions of scenery and action. This book is best suited for high school students.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Miranda, the main character of When You Reach Me, is a sixth grader who lives with her mother in New York City. Miranda starts the book by explaining that the story she is telling is being told for a mysterious stranger who has been leaving her notes; he has requested that she tell the story of her sixth grade year. As the book progresses, Miranda puzzles over the mysterious notes, the abrupt end to her relationship with her best friend Sal, as well as the curious boy Marcus who seems to continually be in the periphery.

            This is a great story. The underlying mystery keeps you wanting more, while Miranda’s relationship with her mother and schoolmates allows the reader to feel connected to her and her struggles. Miranda’s fascination with A Wrinkle In Time and time travel provides the reader with much to contemplate. I loved this book and would recommend it for any middle schooler who likes science fiction or contemporary fiction. 

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman is the second book in the Unwind trilogy, Unwholly is a startling book. Each chapter is told from a different character's point of view and the insight you get from each of these perspectives provides a depth to this book that makes it unlike many other dystopian novels. The story follows a group of teens who have escaped the fate of being unwound-their organs and limbs removed and donated to save other people. In this society parents have the option to “unwind” their children if they no longer want them. This rag-tag group of kids who have escaped are on a mission to change the laws of their society.

I absolutely loved this book. Specifically the character of Cam resonated with me. Shusterman’s comments on identity and consciousness through this character make it an ideal book for use in the classroom. This book had me on the edge of my seat half the time and in deep thought the other half. For days after I read it I thought about the implications of this novel and how it connected to my life. It is a great dystopian read and appropriate for late middle school to high school readers. Reader be warned, Unwholly has vulgar language as well as a fair amount of violence.