Chapter 9 Summary

For the first time in his twelve years, Jonas felt apart from his friends and family. Asher did talk to him after the ceremony, but he used a different tone, one of uncertainty. That night over dinner Jonas's parents talked to him about his assignment. "It's not a Job really, there's only one Receiver." Jonas's Mother went on to tell of the failed Receiver of ten years ago. It was a female then. The failure was so bad her name would never be used again for a newchild, nor was it to be spoken out loud. This was one of the highest disgraces in the community; to have your name removed from the house of records, and never used again.

Preparing for bed Jonas opened the thin folder he had been given for his assignment. Inside there was a single printed sheet with...