Lowry, Lois. The Giver. New York: Dell, 1993.
Annotation: In a perfect society, everyone has their appropriate job selected for them as they surpass childhood. An otherwise normal young boy is selected to carry on an ancient task that is passed down to only one person alone. Is he ready to decide what this means to him?
Justification for Nomination: There are quite a few dystopian novels that become so well-received by the adult population, that they become “classic literature” for young adults. To me, The Giver travels down a separate but significant path than 1984, Fahrenheit 451, etc. This book manages to satisfy me both as an adult reader and a juvenile novel enthusiast. Somehow, I missed reading it in middle school and it wasn’t suggested to me in high school. The fact is, I know I would have loved this book in high school and would recommend it to all of my friends, which is why I would nominate this book for receiving our Printz award. It is such a quick and enticing read that is approachable for all ages. Lowry achieves a tone that is stripped down and simplistic while maintaining an air of sophistication and maturity. While not being too in depth, the tone of the main character Jonas is portrayed effectively, and I think boys and girls alike would identify well with him and his struggles.
Some might argue that having already won a Newberry Medal, and thereby recommended for younger readers, The Giver doesn’t belong in the Young Adult award realm. However, I would argue that any novel this potent and evocative is immensely important for older readers as well. For instance, Lowry’s focus on extremely visceral memories that Jonas experiences would likely strike a chord with young adults who thrive in this sort of immediacy. Another concern could be that the book finishes too abruptly with an open ending. This seems to me that it could be a catalyst for inspiring YA readers to think about what they would do in Jonas’ situation, having made up his mind, but still unsure what his future has in store for him.
Dystopian novels are ripe with metaphors and messages for YA readers to ponder over. The Giver would be a fantastic “foot in the door” for any apprehensive reader who has an interest in adventure. For integrating a child-like innocence into a dark story of flight and freedom, and running an extremely tight ship that could easily bear a YA reader into deeper worlds, I nominate The Giver for our Printz award.
