Gathering Blue

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It's a hit!

Although I was surprised that Gathering Blue was not at all correlated to The Giver, I was pleasantly shocked to find a wonderful story in my hands... (show more)

Although I was surprised that Gathering Blue was not at all correlated to The Giver, I was pleasantly shocked to find a wonderful story in my hands nonetheless. Gathering Blue is a fantastic and inspiring tale of Kira, and it takes place in a world that is practically the opposite of the one that is the setting for The Giver. Kira is the perfect character, strong, intelligent, gifted, so much so that you can look past all of her flaws and relish in her multilayered personality. The story that unfolds in Gathering Blue is poignant and incredible. When you are done reading you truly feel as if you are friends with the character. However, if you are expecting a book identical to The Giver, you are looking in the wrong place, although the two stories do eventually cross in Messenger, Gathering Blue is perhaps an even better story than the Giver. Lois Lowry is a true storyteller and for that I applaud her. (show less)

 

 

by Rebecca Bleich

No, it's a flop!

I had expected something like The Giver and was deeply disappointed in what I thought was a very odd tale. I couldn't warm up to the characters or... (show more)

I had expected something like The Giver and was deeply disappointed in what I thought was a very odd tale. I couldn't warm up to the characters or plot. (show less)

 

 

by Sallie Fine

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  I was too old for this book when I read it earlier this year but I stilled loved it. Lois Lowry's village that she sets this work in is extraordinary and her descriptions of the jacket that the main character, Kira, stitches is superb. Because I wasn't ten however, some of the plot was predictable...but that really doesn't matter; I loved the entire idea of this work, with the jacket and the hunt for blue thread. I loved the dynamics among the three children that live at the back of the build... (show more)

  I was too old for this book when I read it earlier this year but I stilled loved it. Lois Lowry's village that she sets this work in is extraordinary and her descriptions of the jacket that the main character, Kira, stitches is superb. Because I wasn't ten however, some of the plot was predictable...but that really doesn't matter; I loved the entire idea of this work, with the jacket and the hunt for blue thread. I loved the dynamics among the three children that live at the back of the buildling together, away from everyone they have ever known. My favorite character was the old woman who lives in the woods and teaches Kira how to create colored thread out of plants and boiling water. I feel that Lowry meant for there to be a deeper message to this book (perhaps about understanding and being tolerant of other people) but seeing as this is a book meant for children, I am probably just analyzing it way too much. (show less)

   

   

  by Elspeth M. E. Sweatman on Nov 22, 2009 at 02:31PM

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  Save the girl, save the world
  Lois Lowry is a much beloved YA writer and deservedly so. She has set her tales in realistic, believable, flawed worlds where a child finds the key to bringing healing or redemption often in spite of the will of adults. I first fell in love with the world of The Giver when I was in 8th grade and always wanted to learn more. Did Jonas survive? What happened to the little baby? In her delightful novel, Gathering Blue, Lowry hints that they may have found a safe hav... (show more)

  Save the girl, save the world
  Lois Lowry is a much beloved YA writer and deservedly so. She has set her tales in realistic, believable, flawed worlds where a child finds the key to bringing healing or redemption often in spite of the will of adults. I first fell in love with the world of The Giver when I was in 8th grade and always wanted to learn more. Did Jonas survive? What happened to the little baby? In her delightful novel, Gathering Blue, Lowry hints that they may have found a safe haven among another group of people.

  Gathering Blue is the tale of a young recently orphaned girl with a disability that causes some in the community to dismiss her worth and right to live. Her village has had very little technology since the great Ruin, and strength usually wins over all else. After her mother's death, Kira's talent for embroidery saves her life and gives her a new role in the community as the ward of the Council of Guardians. Grateful, Kira works hard to learn how to make and use dyes. While struggling to meet all the expectations of her new protectors, Kira learns an awful secret that opens her eyes to the realities of her world and changes the direction of her life irrevocably.

  Lowry keeps the interest of young and adult readers alike with memorable characters, lots of action and short sentences. She skillfully foreshadows the impending discovery, creating a sense of growing uneasiness as Kira explores the limits and possibilities of her world. Kira's experiences with her world raise questions of values, responsibility and the importance of kindness.

  If you loved The Giver, or any of Lois Lowry's books, I recommend you pick up Gathering Blue. Lowry is one of the best YA writers out there. I can't imagine anyone actually disliking the story, unless you only like to read Henry James, with his unending description and long sentences. (I do love Henry James, but young teenagers often find their attention drifts away.) If you want to find out more about Kira and her world, read the sequel, The Messenger which focuses on one of the most fun characters of Gathering Blue, Matt. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook narys on Nov 18, 2009 at 08:05PM

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