The Giver gives you something to think about

Ooh! I am so excited to recommend this novel to you. This Newberry winner by Lois Lowry is outstanding. It tells the story of Jonas, a boy who lives in a futuristic, utopian existence. (Think Brave New World, only less disturbing.) His world is devoid of poverty, divorce, inequality, even bad manners. When he turns twelve, he, like his friends, receives his life assignment. But instead of becoming a Caretaker of the Old or a Director of Recreation like his friends, he becomes The Giver--an assignment that opens his eyes to so much more than his "perfect" world has ever revealed to him.

The Giver is inventive and poignant and will make you think about the world in which you exist. If you are like me, it will remind you of what a blessing it is that we have opposition in all things. After all, without pain, how can we know joy?