Gathering Blue, by Lois Lowry

Gathering Blue is a part of the series that features The Giver and Messenger. I recommend this book to people who enjoy good mysteries. Lois Lowry is a great author and this is another example of her great work. If you enjoyed either of The Giver or Messenger this is a must-read. I have read all three of these books and Gathering Blue would probably have to be my favorite. Kira, an orphan who suffers from a twisted leg, is a gifted weaver. She enjoys many privileges because of her special talent but she begins to suspect things aren't all perfect as they seem to be. She uncovers dark secrets about her community. She lives in a town that is blocked off from all outside communication. She is determined to find out what lies beyond their walls, but she is beginning to ask dangerous questions. While on her journey to answer these mysterious questions, she becomes friends with a boy named Matt who accompanies her on journeys to discover new thread colors for her weaving and other adventures. I enjoyed this book and am sure others will too. - Reviewed by Erick, grade 9. .

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Teen Speak said…
Gathering Blue, by Lois Lowery, is about a girl named Kira who just lost her mother due to a serious illness and is now on her own since she was told that her father was taken by the beasts when she was younger. Also, the house that Kira has grew up in has burned down so she pretty much has no where to go. She lives on a farm where many ladies work in order to earn money. There is this very rude woman named Vandara who wants Kira's property. Vandara sends her to the Council of Edifice to get what she wants. The men give Kira her own room in this building where she will work in order to make a living. Kira has the special gift of embroidery, and the councils are aware of this talent so they allow her to stay if she repairs the robe worn by the Singer who sings every year. She accepts because she knows that she really doesn't have another choice. Kira makes a friend who is only a few doors down from her; his name is Thomas. He has the task of carving the Singer's staff. There are many workers in this council that bring good food and clean water to Kira each day. She enjoys this very much and appreciates all she gets. Kira has been given a duty to walk through the forest to an old lady's house named Annabella who gives her all her colors needed for her gift. Annabella gets these colors from many different plants and herbs. The hardest color to make is blue. After many days of hard work. Kira, one day sees her younger friend Matt in a herd of soldiers getting ready to go into the forest to defeat the beasts. She gets worried and runs down to prevent him from going, but she is too late. Matt is gone and she is very upset. She really hopes that he will get back safely. When he does get back, she is very relieved. He tells her that he has a surprise waiting for her in her room. She goes up and sees a man sitting on her bed. At first she is very confused but then all her questions are answered. It is her father. He explains to her that the beasts just attacked him but they did not kill. However he was blinded. Kira's new life has begun.

I actually really enjoyed this book because it kept wanting me to read more and more. I acknowledged how Kira took everything into her hands and was brave enough to face Varanda and any other obstacle in her way. I love how Kira gets to start a new life with sharing her special talent. i admire all her work. I think that girls who enjoy reading about how another girl like them experiences all these troubles and learns how to overcome them. It made me feel very lucky for everything i have. Many readers would enjoy this book if they enjoyed the other books in the Lois Lowry collection.

Reviewed by Emily, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library

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