Project Options
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Name________________________
Directions: Choose one of the options below as your final project for The Giver. All work should be to
the best of your ability and reflect your understanding of the important ideas, themes and questions the
book raises for us as readers. Read through the projects carefully to ensure that you meet all of the
requirements. Unless otherwise noted, all written work should be typed and all artwork should
showcase skills learned and practiced in art class (shading, perspective, color blending, depth, no stick
figures, composition/use of space, creative use of media). All projects will be the approximate
equivalent of three typed pages (12 pt font, 1.5 spacing).
Due Date: Tuesday, May 26th (or before)
Project #1: Write Your Own Ending to the Story
Before you begin writing your own ending, answer the following questions to review the last chapter of
the book:
1. Jonas and Gabriel were cold and tired. Gabriel was getting weaker. How did Jonas find the
strength to go on?
2. What result did Jonas’s brief encounter with sunshine have on him?
3. Jonas “was aware with certainty and joy that below, ahead, they were waiting for him; and
that they were waiting, too, for the baby.” Why was Jonas so certain?
The ending of The Giver has been interpreted in two very different ways. Perhaps Jonas is remembering
his Christmas memory – one of the most beautiful that the Giver gave to him – as he and Gabriel are
freezing to death, falling into a dreamlike coma in the snow. Or perhaps Jonas does hear music and,
with his special vision, is able to perceive the warm house where people are waiting to greet him. In her
acceptance speech for the Newbery Medal, Lois Lowry mentioned both possibilities, but would not
confirm whether one or the other was correct. You may visit http://www.loislowry.com/faq.html to
read the author’s own explanations about the ending.
Write a final chapter that ends the story differently yet plausibly. Begin from pg. 168 where it
says, “They started down.” Your ending should fully explain what happened to Jonas and Gabriel. This
needs to be at least three pages (12 pt font, 1.5 spacing). Must be typed. Make sure to use dialogue
correctly. Illustrations optional.
Project #2: Gifts to characters
 Create 3 tangible or intangible gifts for the character(s) of your choice. You may give 3 gifts to
the same character or distribute the gifts to different characters. Think creatively and make
your gifts meaningful.
 Your gifts must be hand-made, three-dimensional and placed in boxes (that can be easily
opened). Include a gift tag to identify which character is to receive the gift.
 Write a letter to accompany each gift including: the description/importance of each character, a
description of the gift and an explanation of why you are giving the gift to the character (Be
sure to include details/evidence from the book). Letters must be typed (12 pt, 1.5 spacing).
Project #3: Picture book or Storyboard
Create a picture book or storyboard with captions that show what you consider to be the ten most
important events in The Giver. Illustrate the events and arrange them chronologically, add a quote from
that part of the novel, and write captions explaining the importance of each one (5 sentences per
scene). Written sections should be typed. (12 pt font, 1.5 spacing).
Project #4: Sketchbook
Jonas lives in a world without color, art, or music. How would you illustrate scenes from this part of his
life? How would your illustrations develop as the story continued and Jonas’ perception of the world
changed as he journeyed to Elsewhere? Complete ten or more high quality illustrations for the whole
book. The pictures should reflect how Jonas’ view changed. An example would be starting in only black
and white and then slowly changing to color illustrations where appropriate to Jonas’ journey. On the
back of each picture briefly explain and analyze the picture and any art techniques you used to
symbolize different parts of the story (5 sentences minimum per illustration). Written sections should be
typed. (12 pt font, 1.5 spacing).
Project #5: Memories of Your Own
Jonah was frustrated because he did not know his grandparents or anything meaningful about his
family. Take this opportunity to get to know someone in your family a little better. Please complete
the following activities in order:
1. You will need to interview one family member and take notes. Some ideas that you may want
to interview them about could include, but are not limited to: family life, childhood/play time,
work life, values and culture. Most importantly, you will be looking for: what events shaped
his/her life. Think about the strong memories Jonas received and how those memories
encouraged him to take action.
2. Create a Memory Book. Divide the book into two sections.
a. The first section will detail four different memories (at least 5 sentences) that were
important to Jonas. Detail each memory with an explanation of how Jonas felt about the
memory and how the memory encouraged him to take action.
b. The second section will detail four different events (at least 5 sentences) from your
family member interview. Detail each memory with an explanation its impact on the
family member and how the event encouraged the person to take action or make a
change in his/her life.
3. Complete each section with photographs and/or drawings and written descriptions that capture
the memories you have chosen.
Project #6: Science, Art and Literature
This project will require extra time and effort. See teachers if interested.