Lowry won many awards for her work on The Giver, including the following:
- The 1994 Newbery Medal – The John Newbery award (Medal) is given by the Association for Library Service to Children. The award is given for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.[40]
- The 1994 Regina Medal[41]
- The 1996 William Allen White Award[42]
- American Library Association listings for "Best Book for Young Adults", "ALA Notable Children's Book", and "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000."
- A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
- Booklist Editors' Choice
- A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A 2004 study found that The Giver was a common read-aloud book for sixth-graders in schools in San Diego County, California.[43] Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association listed it as one of "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children".[44] In 2012 it was ranked number four among all-time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal.[45]