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Yup, that’s right; The Giver by Lois Lowry.  In what was apparently the surprise of the century to some of my friends, I had never read this book until now.  I know, right?  Judging by the responses I got, mine must’ve been the only middle school where this wasn’t required reading.

Now that I’m a part of the herd I will join them in saying that it’s a really good book, both for kids and adults.  Since I’m sure you weren’t like me in missing this book for the first 25 years of your life I’ll skip the plot summary and commentary.  I really liked the overriding theme of a kid coming of age, learning the dangers of choice, and then accepting that it’s the only thing that makes life worth living.  Sage advice no matter your age, and I think the end of chapter 22 sums it all up.

Then, when he had a choice, he had made the wrong one: the choice to leave.  And now he was starving.

But if he had stayed . . .

His thoughts continued.  If he had stayed, he would have starved in other ways.  He would have lived a life hungry for feelings, for color, for love.

And Gabriel?  For Gabriel there would have been no life at all.  So there had really not been a choice.

I just hope Jonas enjoyed the sled ride as much as the memory.

The Giver