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- Pages
- 240
- Published
- 1993
- Reading level
- young-adult
- Ages
- 12–16
- Grades
- 7–10
About the book
About the book
In a colorless utopia, a boy discovers the dark truth beneath.
AI summary
Powerful dystopia. Includes euthanasia of infants (offscreen but disturbing). Talk with your teen.
Why parents choose this book
What makes The Giver worth choosing
An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.
Best for
- Age range: 12–16 (fits siblings across a range).
- Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
- Kids who tend to love it: Courage, Coming of Age, Science Fiction, Mystery.
- Personality fit: big-imagination kids who love new worlds; puzzle-solvers who like to figure things out.
Parents love this book because
- Written by Lois Lowry, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy The Giver if they…
- Enjoy adventure and quests
- Enjoy solving mysteries
This book helps develop
Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 12–16 age band.
Things parents should know
- Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
- Language: clean language throughout.
Reading commitment
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Why we recommend it
We recommend The Giver for the 12–16 age band with a small heads-up on content — worth previewing or discussing. It leans into science fiction in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Lois Lowry's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
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