In a society where everything is equal, one boy learns the shocking truth about the past — a time when people loved, cried and had the freedom to choose. Check out “The Giver” by U.S. writer Lois Lowry. This is one of his best novels.

    Somewhere in the not too distant future, there is a society ruled by sameness*. There is no rich or poor, no racism* or prejudice*, no inequality* of any kind.

    The people grow up without feelings, physical sensations* and color. There is no music to sing and dance to, no animals to keep as pets, no rain or sunshine to show the changing seasons. Husbands and wives are assigned* by the Committee of Elders, as are their children — exactly one boy and one girl per household. The freedom to choose is unheard of. But despite the endless sameness, there is one person who holds the memories of the past. And that person must suffer his entire life in silence.

    When kids reach the age of 12, they’re each assigned a profession. Jonas is assigned the most honored job of all — the Receiver of Memory. The Giver, a very old man who was once the Receiver of Memory, passes all the memories of the past onto Jonas. Jonas must learn physical pain, as well as haunting* emotions — fear, anger, and loneliness.

    Jonas soon realizes that a life without choice, feelings and pain is wrong. They’re deprived of* their right to love and learn. Jonas knows their lives need to change. But how can he make a difference when only he and the Giver know what they’re missing?

    The book is available at amazon. cn.(SD-Agencies)