The dystopian young adult novel has many key elements highlighted throughout the text that can contribute to today's society more so than it would have back in the early 90's.

The film version is helmed by director Phillip Noyce of Salt and Revenge fame and stars newcomer Brenton Thwaites from Disney's Maleficent as the titular character of Jonas. Thwaites is joined by Academy Award-winners Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep as The Giver and The Chief Elder, respectively. The rest of the cast includes A-Listers such as Taylor Swift, Katie Holmes, Alexander Skarsgård and additional newcomer Odeya Rush as Fiona – the leading female role.

The Giver follows Thwaites's character, Jonas, as he dares to step outside of his assigned daily routine and comes upon an elderly man known as "The Giver." Jonas learns that The Giver's role is to provide those that determine society's course of life, The Elders, with wisdom from the past so they can better govern their community.