An Appreciation

     As a 13 year old, I believe in many things. Most of those things, people say aren't real, or will never happen. I believe in things that brings my mood up, things that gives me confident, and things that give me something to look forward to. After reading this book, it changed some of my belief....
     In Thailand, where I came from, we didn't have childhood books like The Giver by Lois Lowry to read, at least not that I know of. It was not because we didn't speak English, in fact every school I know has an English teacher. Anyway, so when I moved to America, I didn't know any famous authors. My friends were talking about books and asking if they had read it. All I can say was no, so I wasn't able to really start a book conversation with them.
     Then 5th grade came.... My brother was in 7th grade at that time, and that was when he read The Giver. Every time I ask him about the book, he would go on about how good it is, and I asked him because I felt like everyone has read it but me. A few months later when I saw the book again, I thought it was a boring book because I used to always judge a book by its cover. Then my brother said that if I really wanted to know what was so good about it, I had to read it myself. So what he did was shove the book in my face, literally. Of course I deserved it.
     When I first read The Giver, the beginning was just so boring to me, I felt like I understood nothing, so what I did was skip a couple of pages, possibly chapters. Then when I got close to the middle/end, things were really interesting (and I didn't know why back then but now I do), but I knew I was missing a lot from the book because I skipped so many pages. Then in 6th grade, I had nothing to read, so I decided to reread The Giver. I felt so stupid for skipping so much. If only I had read those pages I would have realized how different Jonas' world and my world is. I would have learned what's good and what's bad, and what feelings and emotions are suppose to feel like.
     The Giver is about Jonas, and eleven year old boy who lives in a futuristic community, that may or may not be real. This community is like a wall that separates the people from all pain, fear, war, hatred or anything that might hurt them. Everyone pretty much looks and acts the same. In this community, you are not allowed to chose, most likely because if you make the "wrong" choice, it might end up hurting you badly. At 12, every member of the community will be assigned a job based on what the observations the people have made on you. The citizens can apply for a spouse and 2 children (a female and a male), because they are assigned the members of their family, love doesn't exist. They will never know what it truly is. When adults are too old to do anything, they stay in the House of the Old and will eventually be "released" which is not as good as it may sound. The community tells the people that a release, the people are allowed to apply for Elsewhere, when the true meaning of release is actually death. Any citizens who break the rules will be released, but some people take it as a joke. At least until they know what it really is. Everything in this community is planned and organized so the life of the people is pleasant and safe.
     At the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the Receiver of Memory. When sameness existed in the community, someone has to hold all these past memories or pain, war, fear, love, family, and etc. There needs to be someone who holds these memories to stop the community from making mistakes for the past, but this is also keeping the warm fuzzy feelings from them. A feeling that makes you feel good, loved, and a reason to live.
     After Jonas learns the truth about the world, he becomes desperate to save Gabriel before he adapts to the horrible world of the community. He runs away with Gabriel and steals his father's bicycle and a supply of food to go looking for Elsewhere. As he leaves this community, he enters a land full of color, animals, and weather (from mother nature itself), also hunger and all the danger out there in the real world.
     Before I read this book, I was all "dude I would never want world peace", then a few months later, or a year I'm all like "world peace! It could save mankind". Yes I am a very bipolar person. This book made me realize that the world cannot function with out balance. What I mean by that is, everything comes with an opposite, a dark side, the unwanted, etc. After reading this book over and over, I realized how much I would hate the future if it ever turned out like that. I rather not live, if that's how my life is going to turn out. Of course, that's what I'd say now, but many during my next life, I might adapt to the community's way of life. A future like this community, seems possible now and so realistic. It doesn't seem made up whatsoever. There are no flying cars, or a watch that has every gadget known to man. This community made me realize that with love comes with hate, and with pleasure comes with pain. Things aren't always what they seem, and they may or may not be as great as they seem. Oh and it also taught me to never judge a book by its cover again. EVER.
     I love this book because it's not just a silly children’s book. It's a book that relates to the world and what we have to watch out for. It make me thankful that I have a family that loves me. This book doesn't seem like a children’s book, but more of a teen or possibly an adult book. Almost like you have to be mature enough to fully understand the concept and purpose of it. After reading this book, I realized that I have never asked my parents if they love me, but I know they do. My parents do certain things for me because they love me, they teach me what’s right and what's wrong even though I might not appreciate it that much. This is a really good book that deserves to be read by everyone. It might even change you opinion on who knows what. It might even change your life. This book is the reason why I get those "moments I think about my life". Those moments decide what my next move will be, and if I made the right choice.
     Like some people, I change my mind a lot, no matter what it is, it might even happen in a blink of an eye. One second I'll be thinking one thing, then the next I'll say "wait, that's stupid, it will never happen", and vice versa. The Giver, made me certain of certain things. It made me certain of my thoughts and my belief. Though it did not take it away. It did not ruin my life, more like a path to a new life, one that I'm sure of what I really want.