The Giver Read-A-Loud Book Club: Chapter One

Introduction

• Welcome to the first edition of The Giver Read-A-Loud Book Club.
• The Giver is a novel by Lois Lowry, published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
• The novel is dedicated to children who are entrusted with the future.

Plot Summary: Chapter One

Setting the Scene

• The story begins with Jonas, the protagonist, feeling apprehensive about the upcoming month of December.
• A year prior, an unidentified aircraft had flown over Jonas's community, causing fear among the citizens.
• Flying over the community is against the rules, and such events are rare.

Community's Reaction

• Jonas recalls the community's reaction to the aircraft — people were confused and fearful.
• All citizens were ordered indoors immediately.
• The incident was a mistake by a pilot in training who would be "released," a term indicating a severe punishment.

Language and Rules

• The community emphasizes precise language, and Jonas is careful with words.
• His friend Asher often mixes up words, providing comic relief but also language lessons.

Evening Rituals

• The family participates in the evening ritual of sharing feelings.
• Jonas's sister, Lily, expresses anger towards a visitor who broke play area rules.
• The family discusses possible reasons for the visitor's behavior, leading to Lily feeling sympathetic.

Jonas's Father

• Jonas's father works as a nurturer, caring for new children.
• He shares worries about a new child who is not progressing well and may be released.
• Release of new children is rare and considered sad as it doesn't involve wrongdoing.

Jonas's Mother's Concerns

• Jonas's mother, who works for the Department of Justice, shares her frustration with a repeat offender.
• The family comforts her during the sharing ritual.

Jonas's Feelings

• Jonas shares his feelings of apprehension regarding the upcoming Ceremony of Twelve.
• The Ceremony of Twelve is significant, marking a transition to a new stage in a child's life in the community.
• Jonas's parents prepare to discuss his feelings in private, highlighting the importance of the upcoming ceremony.