The Giver Quartet
by Lois Lowry
Reviewed by Shravan
May 4, 2024
The Giver series is an extremely well written book that people can even learn from. This series is about the life experiences in a dystopian world of several kids, 12 year old Jonas, 15 year old Kira, 14 year old Matty, and finally, 15 year old Gabriel. The books are also written in slightly different times.
I enjoyed reading these books so, so much. I loved the detail, the engagement, as well as the storylines of the books. I wasn’t bored while reading, and there were many moments where I was more than excited, or I was left in suspense, in a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter. I can definitely tell that readers around the world can enjoy this, and they will probably come back, and read it again. Because of this, I can easily rate this book 5 Stars.
I would give this series an age rating of 8+, because isn’t very advanced and super easy to understand the flow and plot of the book.
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Common Questions About The Giver Quartet
What age is The Giver appropriate for?
The Giver is best for ages 8-10 (Grades 3rd-5th), though some parents wait until 10-11. It's about a world where everyone's life is controlled — no choices, no color, no real feelings — and a 12-year-old boy who discovers the truth about it all. The writing is really easy to follow, but the ideas behind it will stick with your kid for a long time.
What order should I read The Giver Quartet?
Read in order: The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son. The first three books follow different kids in connected communities — 12-year-old Jonas, then Kira, then Matty. Son brings all their storylines together in a really satisfying way.
Is The Giver movie faithful to the book?
The 2014 film with Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep follows the main story but aged up Jonas from 12 to 16. A lot of the book's internal monologue and subtlety is hard to show on screen, so the movie feels different from the reading experience. I'd definitely say read the book first.
Is The Giver a standalone book or part of a series?
The Giver works great as a standalone — a lot of people only read the first book and love it. But it's actually the first of four connected books (The Giver Quartet) that expand the world. If your kid finishes The Giver and wants more, there are three more books waiting.
The Giver Quartet is recommended for ages 8 - 10 (Grades 3rd - 5th) with Lexile scores ranging from 680L to 760L.