Gathering Blue | Lois Lowry

Gathering Blue | Lois Lowry | Good read

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Gathering Blue

	Gathering Blue Lois Lowry Bantam Books for Young Readers, 2005 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 278 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted weaver and is given a task that no other community member can do. While her talent keeps her alive and brings certain privileges, Kira soon realizes she is surrounded by many mysteries and secrets. No one must know of her plans to uncover the truth about her world and see what places exist beyond.

Blue....

Lois Lowry provides a little look into a fantasy world. No special powers, luckily, but it is an imaginary land with imaginary people. They could exist though, people could be like that... As the book opens our special girl is somewhat even luck to be alive.. Usually when a child is born with a disfigurement they are sent out to die, but Kira, now a teenager was luckily spared. The words "Gathering Blue" can have more then one connotation, but both may apply here. As you read the book, look occasionally to the front cover to gain insight to the heart that flows between the pages.

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Good read

This book was interesting and a parrallel to The Giver, being a primitice society while The Giver presented a futuristic society. This is a worthwhile book like I said, but I read it because I was told it was a "companion" to The Giver, which is my favorite book. If you are looking to find out what happens to Jonas and Gabe by reading this book you won't find an answer! The conclusions of the characters from both The Giver and Gathering Blue are given in the third companion, The Messenger.

A Good Read

I thought this story was a pretty good read but if you're looking for a fast-paced story full of action, you'll probably be disappointed.

All in all, I thought this was a good book and if you like Lois Lowry's other books then this is definitely a story worth picking up.

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Gathering Blue, Written by Laura Deemer

"`Can you make blue?' she asked.
But Annabella frowned. `You need the woad,' she said. `Gather fresh leaves from first year's growth of woad. And soft rainwater, that makes the blue.' She shook her head. `I have nought. Others do, but they be far away.'
`Who be others?' Matt asked.
The old woman didn't answer the boy. She pointed toward the far edge of her garden, where the woods began and there seemed to be a narrow overgrown path. Then she turned toward her hut. Kira heard her speak in a low voice. `I ne'er could make it,' she was saying. `But some have blue yonder.'"

When Kira's mother dies of sickness Kira is left all alone to die because of her crippled leg. Then unexpectedly the Council of Guardians grants Kira a place as The Weaver. While working to repair the Singer's robe Kira works with the old dyer Annabella, and learns that they have no woad to make blue. While living at the Council Edifice Kira finds out many secrets, about the Council, herself, places yonder, and their future. As she ventures into ideas she'd never even dreamed of her role becomes clearer. She must change the future to save the town from the Council, and help gather blue.
Gathering Blue fits right along with The Giver. In both worlds there are secrets hidden from the town, and the main characters uncover the secrets. They also both try to save the town and make the townspeople stronger. The leaders of the towns rule the people and leave the people clueless. Gathering Blue has deeper emotions, and is better than The Giver. If you like The Giver you will definitely enjoy reading Gathering Blue.
In Gathering Blue there are more complex characters. The main character Kira is filled with adventure and suspicion. This makes the book interesting and makes the reader want to read on. Matt is her little friend that follows her everywhere, and he matures during the book, to understand Kira more. Jamison is Kira's defender, who is a suspicious and very uncertain character. Thomas is very serious, and is knowledgeable. He helps Kira unravel the secrets of the council.
In the end, Louis Lowry leaves you to imagine what happens to Kira next. I was disappointed that it was another cliffhanger ending. The book could have used a little more resolution, like The Giver. I was so frustrated when I didn't get to find out if Kira actually succeeded in her mission or not. I'll always be wondering what happened. Read the book Gathering Blue and see what you think will happen to Kira after all. Happy reading!

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