Throwback Thursday: "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

It's been a while, Throwback Thursday fans! I've been meaning to do this book for a while, but hadn't gotten around to it. Lucky for me Banned Books Week is a perfect time to revisit a childhood favorite and a classic young adult book. Today we revisit The Giver by Lois Lowry, Newbery Winner and my very first dystopian book (or did I read Fahrenheit 451 first?). The first time I read this book was in the 8th grade. We were reading it in class, and like a couple other books that year (including Fahrenheit 451, actually), we didn't finish the reading in class. Well, this wouldn't do. I had to know how it ended! And so I did what any book lover would: I "borrowed" it from my classroom and brought it home with me. I brought it back, don't worry! I just wanted to finish it. Then I had to have a copy for myself, and of course bought one. So without further ado, here it is!


Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Publisher: Bantam Books, 1993
Where I got it: I bought myself a copy from Barnes & Noble.

Jonas lives in a perfect world. Everyone is the same: families are assigned to each other (four in each, a mother, father, son and daughter), everyone gets the same privileges at particular ages, everyone lives in the same houses, everyone is assigned a job. There is no color. And people don't die until they are supposed to, with rare exceptions. With this "sameness" in their society, the result is a world with no emotions.

When Jonas turns 12 and he is assigned his position, he is surprised. He will be the new Receiver of Memory, a mysterious position that he doesn't know much about. He meets the old Receiver, now known as the Giver, who begins to show him the true joys, and with this comes the true pains, of life that his community has lost. He keeps these experiential memories as a burden so the others don't have to experience them. But when Jonas' father, who works at the birthing center, brings home a child named Gabriel who is taking a bit too long to develop, Jonas realizes he must make a choice, one that could condemn him and Gabriel to an unknown fate.

Lowry gives us the classic dystopia here, but disguises it in the form of a utopia. There is no pain in this world, no worries or fears. But this means there is no true joy, happiness or love. Family and love are only ideas, concepts that the people of this community know about but don't understand. Jonas is given the responsibility that no 12-year-old should have to have; being the Atlas of his community, holding each memory, good and bad, that they are no longer privileged to have, and not tell others what they are missing in life.

Despite the community having no problems or pain, there are some things clearly wrong with the society, horrifying things that Jonas finds out through the course of the book. There is no such thing as a completely perfect society, since problems and the unexpected crop up no matter how much you plan. And these problems and unexpected occurrences need to be fixed.

There is not a whole lot to say about most of the characters, since they largely have no personalities. They all have their own preferences, yes, but the needs and desires of the society are stronger and unquestioned. The only characters who are really worth taking a look at are Jonas and the Giver. Jonas is an inquisitive boy who doesn't completely bend to the will of the community like his peers, which perhaps singles him out for the job of the Receiver. He has a clear sense of right and wrong, even though he is not taught this. He is also brave in his departure from the normal, showing remarkable courage in the face of adversity and possibly death.

The Giver is a wise old man. He is the only one who knows true pain and loss, and has also felt true love and devotion. We learn of a previous Receiver who he attempted to pass on the memories to, and what happened to her. He has had his heart broken more than once by his memories and by the things he has had to endure, being the only person who truly remembers the way it once was. He gives Jonas all of the courage and support he can when it is necessary.

**POSSIBLE SPOILERS**

Again, Banned Books Week. This book has been banned many times over the years because of the society's use of euthanasia and suicide to help create this perfect community. Death is painless, but once you reach a certain age, that's it. You are done and need to be "released." Most of the elderly are happy to go, but there are some people (not necessarily elderly) who are taken unwillingly. And those banning this for these reasons are simply missing the point of the book. This is a society we clearly don't want to be a part of. Choice is taken away completely (kind of like the world book banners are trying to create—they take away our choice to read). Yes, there are attractive aspects of this society, but they are largely outweighed by the subtle horrors that are hidden from plain view. I'm also pretty sure I've read somewhere (can't remember where) that it has been banned for its positive portrayal of a communist society, which is just plain silly.

Throwback... Friday: "A Voice in the Wind" by Kathryn Lasky

Late! Gah I know, AND I missed last week! Things have been crazy here, what with my new library job and classes starting up again. I apologize for the delays, here is a super quick Throwback Thursday, but really Friday (but really, super duper early Saturday morning).

This week's selection is one I've mentioned time and again on this blog, one near and dear to my heart. It is A Voice In the Wind by Kathryn Lasky, whose name you might recognize. (Published by Harcourt Brace & Co. in 1993.)

*Starred Review*

This is the last book in the Starbuck Family Adventure series, focusing on two sets of twins who can communicate through mental telepathy (basically talking to each other through their minds). The Starbuck family journeys to New Mexico for their father's latest job assignment, and both sets of twins (5-year-old identical Charly and Molly, and 12-year-old Liberty and July) are eager to explore their new home in the high desert. But along the way, they are caught up in a  ancient tragedy that directly affects them in the present. The twins all must work together to set the wrongs of the past right—even if it means putting themselves in the way of greedy grave robbers.

Just so you know, this book is one that is so deeply woven into my childhood that I am completely biased. I read it at least 8 times in my life, probably more. I would take it out of the library every summer and reread it, until they unfortunately weeded it out of the collection. I managed to get my hands on a nice hardcover copy, thanks to the lovely Amazon Marketplace. This book sparked my interest in Native American culture and romanticized the Southwest for me. I still haven't gone there yet, but I plan to one day soon.

Lasky paints an incredibly rich and vivid picture of the Southwest landscape, using color and original yet descriptive simile to give a clear idea of the setting to the reader. This is a huge part of my attraction to this book—I wanted to go where the action took place because it sounded so magnificent and incredible.

She also doesn't shy away from using more advanced vocabulary in her writing. Readers will certainly learn new words here, as the meanings are clear from the context in which she puts them.

As far as plot goes, it's pretty fast-paced once they get to New Mexico. Murder, thieves, supernatural beings, a desperate search for ancient artifacts; all of it's in there. Not to mention it's well-researched and full of Native American culture and lore, with a little bit of history and some information on pottery-making thrown in there.

Just to warn you, Kirkus gave this a pretty bad review, but School Library Journal did not; I loved this book dearly and still do, so Lasky did something right. And just so you know, I didn't read the first two books in the series before this one.

I've mentioned the cover in the past (namely in my Top Ten Favorite Covers post) and took a picture of my copy, which has the original (better) cover, albeit mirror image thanks to my computer:

I know it's hard to see, but at least it gives you an idea! Look at the ghostly figure on the far right, how cool is that? Plus, love the colors of the nighttime scene.

Okay, I'll stop gushing now. Again, I'm completely biased so you might pick this up and hate it. Just sayin', this is one of my all-time favorites so if you do hate it let me know gently!

Throwback Thursday: "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

Before I get down to business, let me just tell you about my most recent bit of press (yes, I said press!). I wrote a Top Ten feature for the Burlington Union, my town's newspaper, and today is the day it was printed! You can check out my picks here. (And I just want to say that I haven't read all the great books out there for teens and younger readers, so I'm sorry if I missed a favorite of yours! Let me know in the comments if you have one you'd put on there.)

Okay, review time. This is a book I read in 6th grade, and I actually don't think I read the whole thing back then. At least, I couldn't remember it very well, though I found that I knew most of the answers and remembered key scenes, so I must have read some of it.

Title: The Westing Game
Author: Ellen Raskin
Publisher: Puffin, 1979
Where I got this: I bought it for my brother years ago and we still have it.

Sam Westing, millionaire, has died and has called together 16 heirs to solve the mystery of the one who took his life. And it was one of those present! The winner receives the inheritance of his entire fortune, $200 million. Paired up and given a set of clues, the heirs must scramble to find the answer before the others in order to win the money.

The set of characters is really quite diverse, and all are quirky and original. All are well rounded and have layers (except maybe Doug Hoo, who is a jock through and through). You might think you know a  character, but then you realize you misjudged them. There is no real main character, though Turtle gets close. We know more about her than any of the others, and follow her story most closely.

The mystery itself is complex and not necessarily a whodunnit. It's obvious Raskin planned out the sequence of events very carefully—it will certainly keep you guessing, and the reader has to be pretty clever in order to figure it out. That said, it IS possible to solve the mystery if you follow the clues closely enough. Watch out for misleading statements if you do try to figure it out!

All in all, this is pretty much the Ultimate mystery for middle grade readers (and probably younger and older ones too). As I was reading, I remembered a lot of the answers, but I don't think I'd have figured it out on my own. Maybe the first answer, but not the ultimate one.

Did you read this when you were younger? How did you do when you tried to solve it, or did you even try to at all?

Throwback Thursday: "The Boy Who Owned the School" by Gary Paulsen

You know when you're little you don't really pay too much attention to authors unless you really love the book? Or at least don't know who the authors are? This was what happened with me when I read The Boy Who Owned the School. I hadn't read any Gary Paulsen before and thus it didn't register that, hey, this book was written by the guy who wrote Hatchet (which I only read recently).

I think I originally read this for a book report on a humor book. Remember those? Vague descriptions of what type of book to read for the report? Yeah, that stunk to wade through everything to pick something that fit the teacher's idea of what a humor book (or whatever) should be. I didn't remember a whole lot of this, except for the climactic scene which I remembered with perfect clarity, for some reason.

I found this again at the Ithaca Friends of the Library Book Sale (which, if you're near Ithaca, NY you should totally check out) and picked it up on a whim.

Without further ramblings from me, here is this week's Throwback Thursday:

Title: The Boy Who Owned the School

Author: Gary Paulsen

Publisher: Dell Yearling, 1990

Where I got it: As I mentioned above, the Ithaca Friends of the Library Book Sale.

Disaster seems to follow Jacob Freisten around, especially when people pay attention to him. As a result, he does his best to stay unnoticed at all times, with mixed results. This is all complicated by the fact that a) his sister is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty queen who calls him Buttwad (gross), and b) he is in love with the most popular girl in school, Maria Tresser.

Unfortunately, he is noticed by his English teacher, who tells him he's in danger of failing her class. She gives him the chance to save himself with extra credit by working the fog machine in the school's production of The Wizard of Oz, for which Maria just happens to be playing the Wicked Witch. He just wants to get through this without humiliating himself in front of the girl of his dreams (again), but he worries he's destined for failure in all he does.

I didn't remember this story being so dark. I don't know if it was because I didn't notice it when I was younger, or if I even understood what was happening, but there are a lot of questionable elements in Jacob's family life. Jacob lives in the basement, which is usually so humid that his posters refuse to stay on the wall, while his sister gets a huge room upstairs, not only with a real bed (Jacob has a cot) but with a couch too. His parents concentrate almost completely on his sister, and sort of neglect Jacob. I know it was meant to be presented as humorous, what with Murphy's law reigning supreme, but still. I certainly wouldn't want to be Jacob.

I also was disturbed by the light way in which Paulsen throws in certain issues. Jacob's parents have a certain penchant for drink ("Not enough to be alcoholics, and they didn't abuse him, but it was enough so that he didn't really know them except as drinkers" [7]). They pretty much drink all the time. I like wine as much as the next person, but I'm not constantly with a glass in my hand. Paulsen also throws in (so quickly you almost don't catch it) that Jacob has thought about suicide (51).

Again, I know this is meant to be an exaggeration and that it's meant to be funny because EVERYTHING goes wrong for him, but it still just rubbed me the wrong way. I'm not saying don't let your kids read this, I'm just saying I didn't care for it that much.

*SPOILER*

Just so you know, everything turns out just fine in the end, with some minor (okay, maybe major) mishaps during the performance. He gets the girl, his mom pays him some attention, and he has a better life than before the play. Everyone is happy.

This was kind of funny, but not one I'd recommend, to be honest. Paulsen has written some great stuff, but I just wasn't feeling this one.

Throwback Thursday: "Bunnicula" by Deborah and James Howe

So, here we are in another Thursday. So close to the end of the week! And to help you through it, here's my latest Throwback Thursday:

Title: Bunnicula

Authors: Deborah and James Howe

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Aladdin Paperbacks, 1979

Where I got it: I got this one from Barnes & Noble, originally to reread for a vampire paper I wrote in college (I've mentioned it here before).

I know you're all dying to know my history with this book, so I'll give you a quick summary. I read this for the first time way long ago, I don't even remember when, and read some of its sequels. I then used it in a paper I wrote about vampires and children's/young adult literature in my junior year of college, thus reacquainting me with the lovable vegetable sucker. Today? I needed a beloved book from childhood that was super short because I had to read it in a morning in order to get this post up. Hooray for Bunnicula and less than 100 pages!

This is the peculiar story of a dog, a cat, and a newcomer with extremely strange eating habits. Of course, I am talking about Harold, Chester and little Bunnicula, the suspected vampire bunny.

Harold tells this story to us from his own perspective, as true as he can remember all the details. He doesn't mind the newcomer, but Chester, being a remarkably well-read cat with a highly active imagination, begins to suspect what Bunnicula could be almost from the moment he is brought home by their family (the Monroes) after they find him in a movie theater (showing Dracula). What else could explain the bunny sleeping through the daylight and the drained, white vegetables all over the kitchen? Chester is dead set on proving to Harold and his family that Bunnicula is, indeed, a creature of the night. His attempts, taken straight out of vampire lore (garlic is his first idea), get Chester into some fine messes, as well as completely failing to accomplish anything. In the meantime, Harold becomes quite fond of Bunnicula. The dog eventually decides he must protect his new friend from his old one.

I honestly love all of the animal characters in this book. Harold describes himself as "smart—but just not the scholarly type" (39-40). This is pretty perfect. Harold is quite intelligent and dignified—he is able to translate the "obscure dialect of the Carpathian Mountain region" (9) in which the note found along with Bunnicula is written, but he has to ask Chester what a parrot is. He is the lovable, dignified and kind-hearted one, honest in his descriptions and looking out for everyone's best interests. Chester, on the other hand, consumes himself with proving his theory, which he formed through his extensive reading. How often in your reading travels do you find a cat who is also a bookworm? I love that.

Bunnicula is also adorable. It's impossible not to love him. Yeah, he might be a veggie-sucker and can creepily get out of his cage without opening any doors, but come on. COME ON. He's a bunny! With a twitchy nose! And he is nothing but gentle and considerate to his new family, even if he is a little boring to play with (according to Harold). Plus, the illustrations! Go take another look at the cover and tell me you don't just want to hold him.

This book is really funny, too. Stake ≠ steak, Chester. Harold's narration also provides a lot of humor, since he tells it from the perspective of a dog—he often mentions his love of food (especially chocolate cupcakes) and his complete incomprehension of the way cats and humans go about their business. Plus, Chester and his therapy at the end is priceless.

As far as actual analysis goes, I really love the element of the uncanny here. We never really find out if Bunnicula is actually what Chester and Harold suspect he is (though one could probably assume). Is it just Chester's completely overactive imagination? Or is there more to this little guy that the Monroes don't see?

This is definitely a great read-aloud or gift for kids. It's short, funny, unique, and just plain fun. Plus there are six more books after this one. Hooray!

Throwback Thursday: "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

So I know I skipped a week of this, but I have been super busy and my class syllabus wasn't as accommodating to Throwback Thursday as it was last time. (Great books, just not ones I had read when I was little.) But I'm back this week, now that I have time to write up reviews and whatnot, since my classwork is, for the most part, finished. ANYWAY.

Here we are, back for another Throwback Thursday! This week's selection...

Ella Enchanted! This, Gail Carson Levine's first novel, is one of my very favorite Cinderella retellings. Ranks right up there with Ever After.

So Ella of Frell was cursed when she was born. It wasn't meant to be a curse, but (apparently) these things happen. Ella must be obedient. She has to obey every single command thrown her way, even if it will put her or her loved ones in danger. But even with this less-than-desirable way of life she has to lead, she grows up to be a spunky and clever girl, since she's had to find ways around doing exactly as she's told, to the point where she almost gets to be disobedient.

After her mother dies, she is put in the care of her ever-absent father, a greedy merchant. She also meets and befriends Prince Charmont ("Call me Char"), but only right before she's sent off to finishing school with the detestable Hattie and Olive, disgusting, greedy, dreadful girls that no one would want to get near. Luckily, she is able to escape. Unfortunately, things just seem to go downhill from there, and this is where we start to see the Cinderella story skeleton. Her father marries Hattie and Olive's mother, Dame Olga. They treat her worse than they'd treat a servant. She falls in love with the prince. BUT! The big problem? How could she possibly find a happily ever after if she must do everything she's told? Can she break the curse?

This is an incredibly clever take on Cinderella, a tale that mostly portrays the title character as a meek and helpless woman who needs to help of fairies and a man to get what she wants. Ella is none of these things. She is feisty, incredibly intelligent (especially with languages), knows what she wants, and figures out how to get it. This is no helpless damsel in distress, here.

Characterization is wonderful. Most of the characters are multifaceted, especially Ella's father. He readily admits he's a greedy man, yet there is this honesty he has with Ella, and an admiration for her that you wouldn't expect from someone who is painted to be such a villain. Ella is extremely likable and relatable (she not exactly popular at school, and she has to deal with mean girls and bullies; though, I don't know how relatable it is to be trapped by ogres). The rest of the cast of characters are all unique and not exactly stock characters, though we of course have to have each role filled (ugly stepsisters, evil stepmother, fairy godmother, etc.).

I love how Levine has created all of these different cultures and languages, without making it seem overwhelming, like when you read The Lord of the Rings. You know just what you need to know, and apparently the new edition of the book has glossaries. Excellent!

When I first read this, I remember thinking it was one of the best books I'd ever read. I don't think at that point that I'd ever really read anything like this; the only Cinderella I'd ever seen was the Disney one, and she's a wimp. This made Cinderella WAY better. (Plus, best part? I got the book for free through the Barnes & Noble summer reading program. How awesome.)

Throwback Thursday: "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle

So I recently thought, wouldn't it be great if I used a day to review childhood favorites? I recently reread a bunch of books I loved when I was younger for a class, and I wanted to share my renewed love (or newly discovered disappointment). If you have a favorite from childhood that you want to revisit, please feel free to use this! Just link back to me, please.

For this, my first Throwback Thursday, I'm revisiting: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Originally published in 1962 (not sure exactly by who; I've seen Yearling and Dell listed the most, and I've most often seen it as Laurel-Leaf book).

*Starred Review* (duh)

And yes, that's totally the cover from when I was little. It was the first one I ever saw, and will always be the best in my opinion. I don't know why I love it so much; it's incredibly creepy. Mrs. Whatsit looks terrifying, not to mention the Man with the Red Eyes. Floating in an orb. What's that all about?

ANYWAY.

Here's a brief synopsis for those of you who haven't read it: Meg Murry is an awkward and difficult teenage girl, and Charles Wallace is her precocious, intelligent 5-year-old brother. Along with Calvin O'Keefe, a kid Meg knows from school who gets caught up in the whole affair almost by accident, they go on a remarkable journey through space and universes trying to find and rescue their father, who disappeared the year before. But they soon find out they are battling much more than they originally thought.

I forgot how much I love this book. The entire time I was reading it, I felt like I was at home. Every time the children went to a new planet, met new people, I remembered and went into the safe spot in my head, even when they were in danger. Rereading this book is always a completely different experience from reading anything else. For some reason I get this completely unique feeling that's very hard to explain, but maybe you know what I'm talking about if you have a favorite book that's different from the rest.

I also did NOT remember the Christian messages sprinkled throughout the book. As an adult, I loved it, being a Christian myself, but I honestly don't remember it as being a Christian book. And I don't think L'Engle meant for it to be one, at least not like C.S. Lewis meant for his to be obviously Christian. The references are snuck in here and there, but it's not exclusive. And really, the overall message is about love—love is your greatest gift and protection, and it conquers all.

Some references are a little dated, but that's part of why I love it so much. It's got this completely different tone from stuff published today. I've heard someone suggest updating the language, but this would be a mistake. It would completely change the tone and feel of the language, something I would protect for the rest of my life. And it's not like you would update classic literature from centuries past into modern language.

If you haven't read this yet, you really should. It's completely different from anything else out there. I don't know if those of you who haven't read it would like it as much as those of use who read it as children, but that's up to each reader. I think it's fantastic, and it's gone through nearly 50 years of being in print with 69 printings (!) as a favorite.

What's one of your favorites from when you were little?