The Giver Graphic Novel — Content Guide for Parents

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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Now in graphic novel format, Lois Lowry's Newbery Medal-winning classic story of a young boy discovering the dark secrets behind his seemingly ideal world is accompanied by renowned artist P. Craig Russell's beautifully haunting illustrations.
Placed on countless reading lists, translated into more than forty languages, and made into a feature film, The Giver is the first book in The Giver Quartet that also includes Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.
In this new graphic novel edition, readers experience the haunting story of twelve-year-old Jonas and his seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment, through the brilliant art of P. Craig Russell that truly brings The Giver to life.
Witness Jonas's assignment as the Receiver of Memory, watch as he begins to understand the dark secrets behind his fragile community, and follow the explosion of color into his world like never before.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Giver Graphic Novel appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book contains scenes of violence, including the aftermath of a bloody battle and a scene where an infant is killed by lethal injection. These instances are significant and contribute to the darker themes of the story. The graphic novel includes elements that could be considered scary, particularly the depiction of the community's dark secrets and the emotional weight of Jonas's discoveries. However, it does not feature traditional horror elements.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have violence?
The book contains scenes of violence, including the aftermath of a bloody battle and a scene where an infant is killed by lethal injection. These instances are significant and contribute to the darker themes of the story.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have scary content?
The graphic novel includes elements that could be considered scary, particularly the depiction of the community's dark secrets and the emotional weight of Jonas's discoveries. However, it does not feature traditional horror elements.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have religious themes?
No religious content is present in the book itself. While some discussions mention interpretations of the book's themes in relation to faith, these are not explicitly part of the narrative.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have racial/cultural content?
Race is not a central theme in the book. The narrative focuses on conformity and the elimination of individuality rather than addressing racial issues directly.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have profanity?
There is no profanity or crude language in the book. The narrative is appropriate for its intended audience without the inclusion of swearing or substance use.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have climate change?
The narrative includes themes related to environmental control and the sanitization of the natural world, reflecting a society that has eliminated natural elements to maintain order. However, it does not explicitly address climate activism or environmentalism.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have sexual identity?
There is limited sexual content, including a mildly erotic dream about a classmate and references to 'stirrings' which indicate the onset of sexual feelings. These elements are part of the narrative but are not the central focus.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. While it presents a society that enforces sameness, it does not delve into gender dynamics as a central theme.
Does The Giver Graphic Novel have lgbtq+ themes?
No explicit LGBTQ+ themes are present in the book. While some reviews mention the broader context of representation, there are no characters or themes that directly address LGBTQ+ issues within the narrative of The Giver Graphic Novel.



