Giver by Lois Lowry
When Jonas turns 12, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver--who alone holds memories of pain and pleasure in life. Now there can be no turning back from the truth. Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives. 1994 Newbery Medal winner. Lowry is such a wondeful author. Wow.

An interesting book as it really looks at how society would be if no one was different if there was a world where everything was controled by the committee and if you did not conform you were released from the society. A world in which death and love was not understood or color seen. The book leaves the ending open as you are not sure if he really escapes or if he is released. There are two related books that I am looking forward to reading to see if any of my questions are answered.

Gathering Blue is a companion to the Giver.
Lame and suddenly orphaned, Kira is mysteriously removed from her squalid village to live in the palatial Council Edifice, where she is expected to use her gifts as a weaver to do the bidding of the all-powerful Guardians. She meets Thomas, a carver, and Jo, a singer, who are also being trained for the future. When Matty, her only friend from the outside disappears she fears the worse but he brings her back something even more valuable than the color blue.

But as with the Giver, Kira discovers that while life seems so happy and perfect they are all really held captive and that there are consequences for everything. So she must choose.

Very engaging book and as with the Giver you do not know what will happen to the characters.