Day 248: The Giver

I was walking through Walmart this morning, picking up the ingredients needed to make a sensory bin. I strolled past the book section and noticed "The Giver". This is probably my second favorite book. I read it for the first time in sixth grade, and I cannot count the number of times I have read it since then. I was so excited a few years back to learn there were two other books in the series; now I've discovered there are actually three more books.

When I walked past the book I rolled my eyes - the cover was updated to reflect the recent release of the movie. I haven't been able to find my copy at home, so I've been meaning to pick up a new one. I almost didn't grab this copy because I'm usually a stickler for owning the originals and not the movie copy. I am so grateful I decided to buy this book.

The author, Lois Lowry, added a brief introduction to this newly published edition. She mentions how it's been 20 years since publishing "The Giver."  She notes the increase in novels similar to his - a dystopian society with a child as the protagonist.  She explains how long it took for the movie to become a reality; and how she struggled watching her words become reality, a reality that did not always fit with what she had pictured as she wrote those words.  

I've had numerous conversations with people, mostly fellow book-lovers, about how frustrating it is to watch a beloved book became a so-so movie.  There is never enough time to create on film what has already been created in your mind as you read the words on each paper, meet new friends, face new enemies, and find a bit of yourself in every hero.  

I had a few minutes to begin reading so I started with the Introduction.  I'll share the last paragraph with you...

"...the book hasn't gone away. It has simply grown up, grown larger, and begun to glisten in a new way."

This could possibly be my favorite quote thus far.  Again, I am grateful that I picked up this book.  In turn, I am also grateful for the words of Lois Lowry.