The Giver Books in Order: Author Books & Series

The Giver Books in Order: Author Books & Series

Series: The Giver Quartet

The Giver Quartet is a series of 4 books written by Lois Lowry. This dystopian series includes The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son. The reading order is very straightforward and it is recommended that you read the books in order of publication.

The Giver Series

The Giver Books in Order

4 Book Series

  1. Book 1; The Giver

the giver book 1Title: The Giver
Series: The Giver #1
Genre: ,
Author: Lois Lowry
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 26, 1993

Summary (from Goodreads):

In a world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community's Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. With echoes of Brave New World, in this 1994 Newbery Medal winner, Lowry examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable society. Gradually Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be, and boldly decides he cannot pay the price.

Amazon

2. Book 2: Gathering Blue

gathering blueTitle: Gathering Blue
Series: The Giver #2
Genre: ,
Author: Lois Lowry
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lois Lowry's Gathering Blue continues the quartet beginning with the quintessential dystopian novel, The Giver, followed by Messenger and Son.

Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted weaver and is given a task that no other community member can do. While her talent keeps her alive and brings certain privileges, Kira soon realizes she is surrounded by many mysteries and secrets. No one must know of her plans to uncover the truth about her world and see what places exist beyond.

Amazon “Bookshop.org”

3. Book 3: Messenger

messenger lois lowryTitle: Messenger
Series: The Giver #3
Genre: ,
Author: Lois Lowry
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 26, 2004

Summary (from Goodreads):

Strange changes are taking place in Village. Once a utopian community that prided itself on its welcome to new strangers, Village will soon be closed to all outsiders. As one of the few people able to travel through the dangerous Forest, Matty must deliver the message of Village’s closing and try to convince Seer’s daughter to return with him before it’s too late. But Forest has become hostile to Matty as well, and he must risk everything to fight his way through it, armed only with an emerging power he cannot yet explain or understand.

Amazon “Bookshop.org”

4. Book 4: Son

son lois lowryTitle: Son
Series: The Giver #4
Genre: ,
Author: Lois Lowry
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2, 2012

Summary (from Goodreads):

They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive? She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice.

Son thrusts readers once again into the chilling world of the Newbery Medal winning book, The Giver, as well as Gathering Blue and Messenger where a new hero emerges. In this thrilling series finale, the startling and long-awaited conclusion to Lois Lowry’s epic tale culminates in a final clash between good and evil.

Amazon “Bookshop.org”

Bonus Book: The Giver Graphic Novel

the giver graphic novelTitle: The Giver: Graphic Novel
Series:
Genre: ,
Author: Lois Lowry, P. Craig Russell
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 5, 2019

Summary (from Goodreads):

The Giver is a modern classic and one of the most influential books of our time.

Now in graphic novel format, Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medal–winning classic story of a young boy discovering the dark secrets behind his seemingly ideal world is accompanied by renowned artist P. Craig Russell’s beautifully haunting illustrations.

Placed on countless reading lists, translated into more than forty languages, and made into a feature film, The Giver is the first book in The Giver Quartet that also includes Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.

In this new graphic novel edition, readers experience the haunting story of twelve-year-old Jonas and his seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment, through the brilliant art of P. Craig Russell that truly brings The Giver to life.

Witness Jonas's assignment as the Receiver of Memory, watch as he begins to understand the dark secrets behind his fragile community, and follow the explosion of color into his world like never before.

Amazon “Bookshop.org”

About Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry is a multi-award-winning author who has written many popular books. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the author of the popular Anastasia Krupnik books and was the recipient of the Newbery Medal for Number the Stars and for The Giver.


The Giver Quartet books in order will make you think about the society we live in. The book to movie adaptation of the first book in the series is enjoyable, but not as true to the book as one would hope. Definitely read the books before seeing the film.


Lori

About Lori

Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.

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