The Giver adapted and illustrated by P. Craig Russell - ESSENTIAL

The Giver: The graphic novel adaptation of the Newbery Medal Winner by Lois Lowry, adapted and illustrated by P. Craig Russell, 176 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019. $23.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (reference to "stirrings"); Violence: PG .

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Jonas has been assigned to be the Receiver of Memory in his small, controlled community. Now, everyday after school he must meet with the Giver and get from him Memories - both good and bad, that the rest of the community needs but can't carry themselves. It is the Giver's responsibility to help the elders make decisions based on his stored memories, but the Giver is getting old, and soon it will be Jonas' job. 

P. Craig Russell has perfectly adapted Lois Lowry's classic story into a graphic novel. The illustrations are amazing - oh! the eyes of Jonas and the baby are haunting, and the gradual use of color is just right.  The story retains its emotions and message. I am so glad that this story will now be accessible to a new audience, and the original text may also be revisited.

Lisa Librarian