Allison Lindsey- Chapter Summaries 1-11

Jonas is an 11 in his community. His age group will soon be turning 12 in the December ceremony. This causes Jonas much apprehension about what job the council of Elders will assign him. What if he were assigned a job he didn't like, like a Nurturer? His father was a Nurturer and was responsible for tending to the newborns until the next ceremony when they all will turn one. One baby, in particular, was having a difficult time sleeping through the night so Jonas's father asked if he could bring the baby home; if this is not corrected then the newborn could be released. While playing catch with an with his friend, Asher, Jonas experienced "it" for the first time. The apple changed in mid-air. Just for a split second and then returned to normal. Jonas couldn't explain what he had seen but he HAD seen something. Jonas decided to perform the last of his mandated volunteer hours at the House of Old with Asher and Fiona. That was the first night that Jonas had "stirrings". Telling his family at breakfast during ritual dream sharing, Jonas began taking the pill that every adult and some 11's took. Stirrings are basically sexual thoughts. Ceremonies for the children (which are like birthdays, except everyone has the same one)is a two day event. Gabe, the newborn staying nights with Jonas and his family, was still not sleeping through the nights, however, was granted a second year after Jonas's father plead on his behalf to not be released. Gabe would not turn a one and would not be officially named. Finally the 11's went to the stage to receive their assignments and Jonas finally felt relaxed. This feeling was short lived as he soon realized that he was skipped during the ceremony of 12; that never happens. After all 11's were given theie assignments, the Chief Elder called Jonas to the stage to bestow to him the greatest honor in the community, Receiver of Memory. Walking into the Annex behind the House of Old, Jonas prepared himself for his first day of training. He was shocked to see the doors locked. Doors were never locked in the community. And to see so many books! Jonas had only seen standard dictionaries, conduct books, and books that described jobs; but these books were different. After a brief conversation with the Receiver of Memory instructed Jonas to lay face down on the bed without his tunic. The Receiver transmitted to Jonas three memories: the memory of a winter day going downhill on a sled, the memory of shunshine, and the memory of sunburn. The Receiver told Jonas all these things...and many more...were eliminated when "Sameness" occured. Jonas asked what he should call the Receiver since he had been referring to Jonas as the Receiver' the man replied "the Giver".

This chapters summaries were completed by Allison Lindsey. My next installment of summaries will span chapters 14-19