The Giver/Lois Lowry/240 pgs.

This is the first book in the Giver quartet, and centers around Jonas. Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect world--it's a world of contentment, and one of conformity. At the age of twelve, the boys and girls are given their life assignments. In Jonas's case, he becomes the Receiver of Memories, and his mentor is the Giver.  Jonas learns, through memories he receives from the Giver, what life once was, and how fragile his world really is. It's a powerful novel that I can't believe has just come to my attention. I can understand why it received the Newbery Award--highly recommended.