Chapter 1 Summary

In this chapter we are introduced to Jonas, who is in his "elevens." He is anticipating with fear the "ceremony of Twelve." We are not told what that ceremony is, only that all children face this and it changes their lives. Jonas recalls another time that he felt frightened. He remembers "that deep, sickening feeling of something terrible about to happen." We participate in a memory last year when a jet over flew the community.

Jonas had ridden his bike to the landing field with other children to watch awkward round-bellied cargo planes unload supplies for the community. However, this was different. This was a sleek single-pilot jet. Jonas looked around to see that every one had stopped, confused, waiting for an explanation. The large speakers crackle to life. They order everyone to drop what they are doing and immediately go into the...