The Giver (Graphic Novel)

by Lois Lowry (Author) P Craig Russell (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade
Series: Giver Quartet

The Giver is a modern classic and one of the most influential books of our time.

Now in graphic novel format, Lois Lowry's Newbery Medal-winning classic story of a young boy discovering the dark secrets behind his seemingly ideal world is accompanied by renowned artist P. Craig Russell's beautifully haunting illustrations.

Placed on countless reading lists, translated into more than forty languages, and made into a feature film, The Giver is the first book in The Giver Quartet that also includes Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.

In this new graphic novel edition, readers experience the haunting story of twelve-year-old Jonas and his seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment, through the brilliant art of P. Craig Russell that truly brings The Giver to life.

Witness Jonas's assignment as the Receiver of Memory, watch as he begins to understand the dark secrets behind his fragile community, and follow the explosion of color into his world like never before.

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School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 6 Up--Jonas lives in a colorless world where everyone is content and conformity is the key to serenity. At the age of 12, in a ceremony that determines Life Assignments for each citizen, he's chosen to be the community's "Receiver of Memories." He begins training with the Giver, an old man who is the sole guardian of the community's dark and concealed history. Jonas learns not only of sunshine, color, and love but also of pain, war, and death. Confronted with this reality, he faces difficult choices and discovers that the wisdom he now holds could determine the fate of his entire civilization. This striking retelling of the modern classic blends words and images to create a brilliant new representation of Lowry's dystopian conflict between the ideals of free will and security. The artwork, rendered in blue pencil and grayscale, perfectly depicts Jonas's stark, dysfunctional society, and the measured introduction and brief glimpses of color keep readers hopeful for a brighter future. The characters are distinct, and the action flows well, evoking the feeling of the original work. Dialogue is pulled directly from the source material and heightens the story line and Jonas's emotions. VERDICT This stunning work will introduce The Giver to a brand-new audience and will also delight longtime fans.--Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT

Copyright 1 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"A first-rate visual reframing: sensitive, artistically brilliant, and as charged as its enigmatic predecessor with profound challenges to mind and heart." -Kirkus, STARRED review

"This striking retelling of the modern classic blends words and images to create a brilliant new representation of Lowry's dystopian conflict....This stunning work will introduce The Giver to a brand-new audience and will also delight longtime fans." -School Library Journal, STARRED review

"Russell masterfully preserves the flow of story....The relief and sometimes shock of these colors allow the power of the memories to reach readers in a way beyond mere sight, and thus the wonder of Lowry's story is made palpable in a startling new way." -Booklist

"An accessible version of the story for readers who have not yet encountered it." -Publishers Weekly

"This beautifully illustrated graphic novel...gives new life to a true classic." -School Library Connection
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781328575487
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
April 20, 2020
Series
Giver Quartet
BISAC categories
YAF010070 - Young Adult Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Coming of Age
YAF010100 - Young Adult Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Fantasy
YAF010080 - Young Adult Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Dystopian
Library of Congress categories
-

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