Summary of Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

In chapter one, the main character, Jonas and his family are introduced. Jonas is an eleven. His family consists of his mother, his father, and his little sister, Lily who is a seven. His friend, Asher is also introduced in this chapter, who is another eleven. Jonas is about to become a twelve. They all live in a community which is bound by certain rules and regulations. It is called sameness. People who break the rules are released. The meaning of being "released" is not yet told in these chapter. Jonas' father brings home a newchild named Gabe. At the ceremony of 12 is selected to be the receiver of memories, the most important job in the community. His job is to receive and hold all of mankind's memories. The people living in the community do not have memories. One person is chosen to hold all the memories.

Summary of Chapter 9 - Chapter 18

Jonas receives the rules to being the receiver. He is not permitted to apply for release, he is not allowed to share his memories with anyone, and he is allowed to lie. He meets the Giver and begins his formal training as receiver of memories. At first, he receives good and pleasant memories from the Giver. Later on he begins to receive memories of pain, war, and other unpleasant memories. He learns about things that no one else knows of, other than the Giver. Later on Jonas realizes that he too can transfer memories, which he gives to Gabe, the newchild. He begins to wonder whether an elsewhere exists, where there is no sameness and rules. He learns of the last receiver, who failed and lost many memories because she was released.

Summary of Chapter 19 - Chapter 23

Jonas finally learns what being "released" really is. It is death by lethal injection. He watches his father perform the release of a newborn twin, and is shocked. He learns the he and the Giver are the only people in the community who have feelings. Jonas and the Giver devise a plan for Jonas to run away to elsewhere, away from the community. The farther he goes, the more memories he loses, and the memories will come back to everyone in the community. His plans are changed though, when he is forced to leave when he learns that Gabe is about to be released. He escapes from the community that night and makes his way toward elsewhere. Jonas and Gabe travel for many days, starving and tired, they finally reach elsewhere.