New to the quartet
Begin with The Giver and continue in publication order so the connections between communities unfold as intended.
Reading order
How to Read The Giver Quartet
Read The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son in publication order. The connections are deliberately gradual, and Son completes storylines from all three earlier books.
The Giver graphic novel retells book one. It can replace the prose edition for a reader who wants a visual format, but it is not a fifth story.
Sources: Lois Lowry's official Quartet page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The accessible prose carries serious themes: state control, euthanasia and infanticide, war memories, injury, coercion, grief, suicide, and important character deaths. Much of the violence is not graphic, but the ideas can be emotionally intense for younger readers.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1899
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 1993
The Giver
By Lois Lowry
A boy uncovers dark secrets in his perfect world.
246 pages· 43,655 words· Est. 4 hour read
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a world of conformity, twelve-year-old Jonas is chosen as the Receiver of Memory, unveiling the hidden truths of his seemingly perfect community. As he learns the dark secrets that underpin his society, Jonas faces a choice that could change everything. What will he do with the knowledge that could shatter his world? Discover the haunting journey of discovery and courage in this modern classic.
In reading order
The Giver Quartet Series
4 books · Published 1993–2012
#1
Sale price
$1899
The Giver
Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 1993
A boy uncovers dark secrets in his perfect world.
#2
Sale price
$1697
Gathering Blue
Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2000
In a harsh society, an orphaned girl must uncover hidden truths to survive and change her world forever.
#3
Sale price
$1697
Messenger
Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2004
Village closes its doors; Matty must brave a hostile Forest to deliver a crucial message.
#4
Sale price
$1697
Son
Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2012
A mother defies a colorless world to find her stolen son, risking everything for love.
Graphic adaptation of book one
The Giver: The Graphic Novel
1 book · Published 2019
A visual retelling of The Giver, not a sequel or an additional book in the four-novel story.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1498
The Giver (Graphic Novel)
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2019
A boy uncovers dark secrets in his perfect world, challenging everything he knows.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Giver Quartet series?
There are 4 books in the Giver Quartet series. It began with The Giver in 1993, and the newest book, Son, was published in 2012.
What order should you read the Giver Quartet books in?
Start with The Giver and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #4.
What ages are the Giver Quartet books best for?
The series is best for ages 10–17, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Giver Quartet book is the longest?
Son (Book #4) is the longest book in the series at 76,255 words (393 pages).
Which Giver Quartet book is the shortest?
Messenger (Book #3) is the shortest at 36,759 words (187 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The Giver Quartet to life.
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