[BWF and Steeplechase] The Giver by Lois Lowry 5 stars

[Sue]

I can see why this book is considered a modern classic!

Jonas is on the cusp of turning 12. He lives in a utopian "paradise" where everyone contributes and is taken care of. Nothing bad or unhappy ever happens. When people get old, they are cared for until they can be "released" with a celebration.

But the community has also removed all memories of the past, both good and bad. Also removed as inconveniences are weather, color and emotions. Children and old people alike are beaten for infractions. There's one terrible story of a young boy beaten repeatedly for mispronouncing a word when he's 3 or 4 years old. He's so traumatized he's stops speaking altogether for a year. Young babies who are too fussy are "released" (view spoiler)[i.e. killed (hide spoiler)].

Without giving any spoilers away, Jonas is in a unique position to do something about the monstrosity his society has become.

A chilling reminder that there is no such thing as utopia.

BWF "G" - Sassy Sisterhood
Steeplechase "Technology" tagged by 6 people

[NancyJ]

Great review. I'm looking forward to reading it this month too. (I had it earmarked for Dystopia). Children's classics are a nice alternative to give us a bit more variety this month. I'm sure there are more good ones that came out when I was too old to notice.

[Jason]

One of my favorite books of all time. It’s a Quartet but none of the others really compare with The Giver.

[Jason]

A good kids series that would fit the tag is the Shadow Children Series which starts with Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix