Picked up at The Book Thing of Baltimore, Maryland. I read this years ago and really enjoyed it.

Once again, BCinDC will have a table full of free books available at the 2014 Day of the Book festival in Kensington, Maryland. This book will be among them.

I came across this book on the tables at the book festival. I've already read it, so I left it for someone else to read.

Here's what I thought about the copy I earread on audio:
This is an absolutely amazing book. I thought I'd read this as a child but, after reading it last year, I don't think I had read it as a child. I'm SURE I would have remembered this absolutely amazing book.

In this dystopia, everything is controlled for each citizen. There is no war or pain, so it seems a good price to pay for free will (which isn't even a concept, so it isn't missed). The main character, Jonas, is given a job to train to be the next Giver. It's a very important position--perhaps the most important position in Jonas' entire world. He meets with the Giver often, and the Giver gives him... understanding.

Slowly, Jonas comes to realize the truth about the past, his world, and his family. He starts seeing things like colors. He starts feeling pain. He starts understanding the horrible truths.

This book drew me in, moved me, shocked me a dozen times over, and seriously impressed me. Lois Lowry is a master storyteller and her characters not only feel real but take over. Amazing.