The Giver Trilogy

The Giver Trilogy is a series of books by Lois Lowry, consisting of "The Giver" (1993), "Gathering Blue" (2000), and "Messenger" (2004). Though the trilogy ties together loosely, there are many similarities and connections between the books. "The Giver" won the Newbery Medal in 1994.

Main Characters In The Series

There are only a few characters that appear in more than one book. They are listed below.

Jonas - Jonas appears in all three books. Mainly in "The Giver", and he appears as a side character in "Messenger". He is only referred to near the end of "Gathering Blue". Jonas is called "Leader" in "Messenger", which happens eight years after the story of "The Giver". He possesses the ability to see beyond.

Matty - Matty appears in two of the novels."Gathering Blue", and "Messenger". He dies while trying to "heal the world", in "Messenger". He is given the true name "Healer" by Leader after his death.

Gabe - Gabe is featured in "The Giver" and "Messenger". He accompanies Jonas on his journey to Village in "The Giver", and he is the only returning character that originated from "The Giver" that is referred to by name in "Messenger".

Kira - Kira is the main character of "Gathering Blue" and also plays a major role in the second half of "Messenger". She is known for her crippled leg, and refuses to have it healed by Matty in "Messenger". She is Christopher's daughter.

Christopher - Mainly featured in "Messenger", Christopher finds refuge in Village, after he is blinded. He receives the true name "Seer" because he has the ability to see things in different ways than most people. He is Kira's father and Matty's mentor.

Key Places

The Community - The place of Sameness where no one has any feelings of emotion and no one can see in color, other than the Giver and the Receiver of Memories. After Jonas meets The Giver, he begins to feel things, with the help of the memories he receives. He flees the community and becomes the first person to do it successfully.

Village - This is a typical place built on the concept of selflessness, but it is going downhill fast. It is up to Matty, Seer, Kira, and Leader to stop the selfish acts in Village.