Son (The Giver, #4)

by Lois Lowry

“You’d know that,” Rolf pointed out. “You see the Spouse Assignments at the Ceremony. “I’ve applied for a spouse,” he added, grinning. “I had to fill out about a thousand forms.” Claire didn’t tell them that she had not attended the last two ceremonies. Birthmothers did not leave their quarters during their years of production. Claire had never seen a Vessel until she became one. She had not known, until she had both experienced and observed it, that human females swelled and grew and reproduced. No one had told her what “birth” meant.

alone.” The man had offered again. “One more chance,” he said. “The price will be something you can afford, I assure you. A fair trade.” But Einar, suddenly mistrustful, had again said no. Without warning he had found himself on the ground, struck down and weakened by a mysterious power summoned by the man. He lay there unable to move, watching in horror while the man reached under his cloak, withdrew a gleaming hatchet, and chopped off half of his right foot. Then the left. This was the person Claire was to wait for and say yes to.