Plot: Imagine a town where spouses are selected for each individual, children are assigned to parents, names are chosen; not by parents, and jobs are selected for its people. Most importantly, imagine having no feelings what so ever, or not being able to see color. In The Giver, this is the life that this community lives (sometime in the future). Everything is basically perfect. There is no hunger, poverty, or war. Jonas has been chosen to be the new receiver of the town; at only 12 years old, he has major responsibilities. He is given the chance to see life beyond what his community has. However, Jonas wants to change the way they live. The only obstacle in his way, is trying to accomplish it.

Commentary: The Giver was a great story. It was different from any other books I’ve read. The events that take place and the lifestyle the characters live, are very different from our own. If we lived the way they did I wouldn’t be able to take it. Even if we did live their lifestyle, I wouldn’t even know it, because we wouldn’t have any feelings. I enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting what the community did on a daily basis; they followed strict rules and regimens. The book made me realize how exciting my life is compared to a boring and unemotional life the characters live. I think the author was trying to make a story different from any others. She made the characters individually unique. The main character, Jonas, she made into a born leader. The friends she chose, and "family units" were creative too. This book has adventure, passion, and even love in the end. The author tried to make a story worth reading, and imaginative. That’s what it turns out to be. The end of this story didn't really end, it kept me thinking. I found it kind of aggravating not knowing what happened after the story ends. Then I thought of the possible endings it could end up to be, and what could have happened. It’s a good book, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a book of difference, adventure and an ending to keep you thinking. Reviewed by Alexa in 2005

Plot: In the book, The Giver, by Lois Lowry, Jonas lives in a perfect world. There is no war or fear or pain. Everything is very organized and controlled. People can’t make their own choices. When they turn twelve, they get assigned a role in the community which is what they do until they are elderly and get “released”. They are assigned a spouse that has been carefully picked and can apply for a baby to be given to them. When Jonas turns twelve, he is assigned the role of receiver, which is a very respected job. He has to receive memories from “the Giver”. The giver is the only one who knows the truth about what life used to be like and has the power to change things. Jonas learns some disturbing things that he and “the Giver” only have the power to change.

Commentary: I think The Giver was a good book because it was very interesting to read about what life could be like. I like how the author wrote in 3rd person so that it didn’t only focus on Jonas. I also like how brave Jonas was and how wise “the Giver” was and how everybody was perfectly mannered which added to how the book was all about everything being organized and perfect. The book was interesting towards the end and it made you not want to put it down because you wanted to know what happened, but the beginning was kind of boring because it was pretty much the same idea over and over again. I also thought that the ending was good because it makes you want to read more. Overall, I think the book had good ideas to it but the plot could have been more exciting. Reviewed by Mikaela in 2006

Plot: This book follows the animal inhabitants of Manor Farm in their rebellion against Jones, the human owner. They succeed in driving Jones and his wife off the farm, and proceed to run it themselves. They do all the work, eat the food that they grow, and denounce humans and anything to do with them. Yet, as time goes on, one species seems to become superior and rule what's now called Animal Farm. This species is the pigs. Two pigs in particular, Snowball and Napolean, are extremely intelligent and both want to become ruler of the farm, yet neither wants the other around. Napolean succeeds in ridding the farm of Snowball, and through lies, deceit, and confusing arguments, becomes somewhat of a dictatorial figure. His greed ends up twisting the farm and nearly causing its demise.

Commentary: At first this seems like an innocent enough tale of a farm run by animals. Yet, upon closer examination, the animals personify humans and human behavior. Napolean and the pigs in particular seem to be a reflection of human flaws. Greedy, power-hungry, smart to the breaking point and believable and smooth enough to make everyone believe in his good intentions, Napolean the pig would make a politician worthy of award. Of course, if you could find an award he hasn't bestowed upon himself with the full agreement of the creatures. Agreement being complete befuddlement among constant cries of, "If Comrade Napolean says it, it must be true!" Reviewed by Kelsey in 2005

Plot: Imagine a world controlled solely by the government, in which everything is government regulated, and you are under constant surveillance. To even have thoughts about rebelling against the government is a terrible crime. Winston Smith is a man who has lived in the government-controlled society for as long as he can remember. He has never known a time when one could simply go for a walk without looking suspicious. But he begins to wonder if life were ever different from the way that it is now, if at one point in time, people were free to do and say that they wanted, without being constantly looked upon by the government. He soon discovers that his is not the only one who wonders this, and with his fellow “comrades” goes on a journey to discover the true meaning of personal freedom.

Commentary: George Orwell’s writing is superb and I particularly enjoy his use of adjectives. Descriptions like, “A small lean man with disproportionately long arms and a large, bald skull over which a few lank locks straggled, was haranguing the crowd”, make the book worth reading. The story of the book is also amazingly crafted in the disturbing, yet realistic world he creates. He writes about what could have very well become of the world, a time when the past can be altered to better fit the expectations of the present. He creates a world that many call a “negative utopia”, a world that is seemingly perfect, when in reality it is a world without feeling or choice. Written in 1949, it was then a book about the future. It is interesting to read what people thought would become of our planet, and while it is fiction, in some ways it is startlingly similar to the world we live in today. I would recommend it for anyone who is interested in challenging themselves to think about how much freedom one should be given, in a country where freedom is taken for granted. Reviewed by Kelly in 2006