The Giver Quartet 20th Anniversary boxed set Hardcover – November 5, 2013

Loves that ot came with a map of the world in which the books take place my son was so excited when he saw it.

I loved the books. And the set comes in a nice box with a map of the world of the giver. Worth the money and the read for sure!P.S. The second book may seem not to fit the storyline but it will fit better the longer you read.

The Giver by Lois Lowry.The first space on my Top Reads List has been occupied by The Giver ever since my middle school years, soon after it was first written. I have reread this unique piece of literature 7-8 times since adolescence. Lowry's book has emotional themes that can resonate in the hearts and minds of its readers, no matter the age. I had never read through the other works in the rest of the quartet. Late evenings and early mornings were spent this summer reading Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son. At the end of the quarter, I set my book down and sat in silence. There wasn’t anything else to do. There were no words to be said at the time. I wanted time to process the beauty of the words that created an uncommon story. Son, the last book in the quartet, was unlike typical children’s literature and especially unlike popular books in America today. Lowry said it beautifully how her series doesn’t spotlight action, romantic love, and weapons, instead it builds to, “the battle that Gabriel fights in ‘Son’ [where] empathy and love are his only weapons.”After reading certain books, I enjoy researching the backstory for how and why books are written. This sometimes includes the life of the author. Along the search for information about The Giver quartet, I found a NY Times article from 2012. It has changed my whole perspective on the series. Lowry shared about the loss of her son, Grey, in 1995 and a small portion of the emotion battle that followed. I now feel like I understand the story on a deeper level. The silence after the quartet continued after reading the article. Lowry’s themes of loss, personal restoration, and hope are powerful and real. She isn’t afraid to present ideas or topics that touch the raw emotions of the reader and might even make them feel uncomfortable. That is where I find the beauty in her writing.As an educator, I believe true literature is found through words that impact the reader after the last word. It should change them a little or maybe a lot. Lowry does this with ease. The Giver should not be the end of a reader’s journey. The reader is only a quarter of the way through the story. Son is a must-read for middle schools all the way through adults. Moments come and go. “Memories are forever.”Kois, Dan. "The Children’s Author Who Actually Listens to Children." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Oct. 2012. Web. 09 July 2015.Lowry, Lois. The Giver. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Print.

It has a map y’all, v much so oriented for a younger reading audience ( 9-14) but I still quite enjoyed it

The series was mostly good, but after the first book is is mostly downhill, I am giving it 3 starts because the first book made up for it.The series is a set of "companion stories" so not really sequels in the true sense.However, I felt that the series lost the essence of the books and it often felt like the author had no real direction for what was going on and was just willy nilly adding items. I also picked up several continuity errors that was somewhat disappointing. I suppose as it is a YA book it might not be that noticeable.All in all the books are not exactly bad, but they sure won't make the "read again" list.

My daughter ordered this set for herself. It's beautiful and she's enjoying reading the books.

Gave this set to my little brother after we watched the movie with him! Made him so happy and the set was so amazingly put together!

Bought this like new and it was still shrink wrapped. Love this quartet, great reading material and themes for young and old.

I really enjoyed reading the giver, what I like each book was linked to the next and it had a complete ending.

It's OK. It's a series of books based on distopian societies which are sort of isolated from one another and people with 'gifts' that come together.There's some interesting aspects to the story. But I don't feel like there's a point at the end of it. The ending is a bit hurried and you don't get much of a feel of the relationships between the main characters to blend the books better.The first book was my favourite because you get more a feel for the society and I love the 'black and white' concept.

I have only just discovered this story and am very much enjoying reading. It is for children of all ages (including grown up ones). Each of the books is actually a small hardback so very good quality boxed set.

Haven't read yet but looks good. Value for money

This series of books is incredible. For them to make sense you need to read all four in sequence. They give an incredible insight into a dystopian society that eventually becomes normal. A series of books that really make you think and review our own society