The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Published in 1993 by Delacorte Press
179 pages
Warning: This novel contains some language and brief dialogue about sex. Also, the ideas of Utopia and Euthanasia are presented.
Genre: Utopian society, Coming of Age, Family, Friends and Society

Lois Lowry presents a futuristic society living in a Utopia; each year when children turn one year older, they receive an item that marks their growth up until the age of eleven. At age twelve, the twelves receive their assignment they will fulfill for the rest of their life. This assignment will be what allows them to contribute and be a productive member of society. Jonas is given an assignment that, when spoken, a hush falls upon the community. It will be painful, but the young boy has little choice but to accept the assignment willingly. Or does he?

This book is fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed the insightful perspective regarding how fragile life is. Lowry provides, in this novel, a space where ethics and agency are closely scrutinized and examined. As Jonas discovers the truth of pain and pleasure of life, the reader also discovers the importance of self-guided choices and agency. As the family robotic-ally shares "feelings" by law, they create false feelings simply because they must say something. The people are numb to real feelings, and readers recognize feelings cannot simply be made up. I enjoyed this novel because it causes any reader to question the importance of free choice; we see in this novel that we really don't appreciate it until we have lost it.

The Moves Make the Man

The Moves Make the Man by Bruce Brooks
Published in 1984 by Trophy Newbery
280 pages
Warning: This book contains language and lots of sports. If you don't like sports, I would not suggest this book.
Genre: Sports, Multicultural

Jerome decides, over the summer, to write the story of his friend Bix. Jerome is black and Bix is white. Jerome finds out he is chosen to be integrated into a white school, where he is desperate to try out for the basketball team. Unfortunately, he is not allowed to play on the team because of the prejudice from the coach. Jerome discovers Bix playing basketball one night, and starts to teach him the game. Bix is a baseball player, and learns how different baseball and basketball can be.


This book was interesting at one part when the coach of the basketball team does not want a Black player on the team, despite his incredible talent. But, the boys on the team beg and persuade the coach to accept a Black student on the team because they recognize the team needs his exceptional talent. I love the students and what an example they are to the coach, to put aside prejudice and racism and pay attention to the core and goodness of a person rather then the color of their skin. Young people are a powerful force in the world, and they can be a powerful example to adults when adults are unwilling to open their eyes to what really matters.

This book was a little difficult for me because I am not a sports fan. I often felt lost amidst the dialog because of the sports terms, they did not interest me or catch my attention as they would the attention of a sports fan.