Son 

• Genre: Fiction; young adult dystopian/fantasy 
• Originally Published: 2012 
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 720L; grades 8-11 
• Structure/Length: 3 parts; 45 chapters; approximately 400 pages; approximately 8 hours, 11 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel follows Claire, a young girl assigned to be a Birthmother in the dystopian community first introduced in The Giver. After her son, Gabe, is taken from her, Claire embarks on a desperate and dangerous journey to find him, challenging the foundations of her society and discovering her own capacity for love, sacrifice, and rebellion. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Dystopian control, including control over human reproduction; separation of mother and child; exploration of individuality and freedom; peril and emotional distress; violence

Lois Lowry, Author 

• Bio: Born 1937; acclaimed American author known for her contributions to children's literature, particularly in young adult dystopian and historical fiction; often tackles complex themes such as identity, freedom, and the human spirit 
• Other Works: Number the Stars (1989); The Giver (1993); Gathering Blue (2000); Messenger (2004) 
• Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book Award (2013)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Importance of History
• The Prevalence of Loss
• The Battle for Control
• The Price of Sacrifice

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Gain an understanding of the literary contexts regarding representations of motherhood in literature, the dystopian fiction genre, and point of view that relate to plot, themes, characters, and settings in the novel.