Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Kira is a disabled girl in a society that does not accept anyone that is not perfect. When her mother passes away, Kira's belongings are burned and an elder tries to take her land away from her. When the issue is taken to court, elder Jamison is appointed to represent Kira since she is too young to represent herself. Jamison takes on each claim that has been brought against her and disproves them. Kira is told she can not keep her land, but that she will not be banned from the society. Instead, she must take on the job of preparing a ceremonial robe that shows the history of the society.

Kira must learn how to dye threads before she can repair the stitches. She walks out to the forest of an old lady that lives alone to master the art. Meanwhile, she makes friends with a carver around her age that is also living in the main building. However, after hearing a child's crying during night and other odd things happening, Kira begins to wonder if there is more to what she is doing and how her society operates.

This is meant to be a compliment to The Giver by Lois Lowry, however I think The Giver is a better novel. This read easily, as it should for a teen novel. I enjoyed it until the ending, which is the only reason why I wouldn't recommend this book. If you don't mind a book just ending half-resolved, then you might like this book. If you like a solid resolution at the end of your book, don't pick this one up.

First Line: "Mother?"

Rating:

(3.5/5)