"Gathering Blue"

The book "Gathering Blue", by Lois Lowry, is a sister book to her book "The Giver". There are actually four books that comprise The Giver story, and while the stories don't actually intertwine until the third book I think it's important to read both of these first so that you fully understand what is going on later in the tale.  "Gathering Blue", the second book, is about a young physically handicapped girl who, after losing her mother and finding herself alone in the world, has to figure out how to survive on her own. The village she lives in is not a friendly one. If women die then their children are given away because the dads don't want the responsibility, if babies seem weak then they are left in a field to die, if a person doesn't have a way to contribute then they are left out in the field to die. It's basically every man for himself. Fortunately our leading lady, Kira, has a way to contribute to the community after her mom dies. She has an incredible talent with weaving, and is chosen to make repairs on a special robe that is sacred to the community. Once she moves into the Council Edifice she slowly picks up hints that her community is not what it seems. She is determined to find the truth and make it a better place, with the help of her young companion, Matt, who acts as her protector in his own little way.

This book adds to The Giver story, but it is also really good all on it's own. My only qualm with it is that the author doesn't finish the story. The book ends as if there will be a sequel, but the next book in the series picks up in a different place and you never really learn about what happens to this community. I almost wish she would have made this story it's own series instead of tying it into "The Giver". However, I still think it is worth reading. This book will probably take a couple of days to get through, and is definitely appropriate for readers of all ages. (I read it for the first time when I was in fifth grade). Let me know what you think!