Rating: 
Summary: IT MADE ME BLUE ;-D
Review: If you lived in a world that was continually devestated, in a place where powerful athorities controlled the world and kept all their secrets hidden, where you had to fight for food, you'd be living in the setting of Gathering Blue, Ms. Lowry's new release. In this story, much like Ms. Lowry's classic The Giver, a young person, different from the rest of their age group, is singled out to do great things. Kira, an orphaned girl with a crippled leg, is sent to live with a select group of marvelously talented children. She meets Thomas, a skilled woodworker, and Jo, a girl with an amazing voice. Eventually, Kira realizes she and her friends are prisoners, like Jonas did in The Giver, but she does not take any action on the fact. The story has a very bad ending, she ends up staying where she is, not caring she is just a slave for the Athorities, so maybe there's a sequel. I really hope so. The writing is beautiful. This story is a New York Times Bestseller. Lois Lowry has won awards for Number the Stars and The Giver previouly.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: Here's a touching novel with a great moral. Kira, the main character of Gathering Blue is a girl with a lame leg who lives in a future world that has a simple rule - all those who are weak must go. Somehow, Kira's mother saved her from the demise; but now that Kira's mother is dead, the first thing that happens to Kira is that she is accused of being lame and brought to the council of Guardians. Surprisingly, the Council saves Kira because of the special gift she has to make beautiful embroidery. Kira stays in a special room and discovers another child like her who also has a unique talent named Thomas. Kira, Thomas, and a younger boy named Matt together find the secret of their village. This is a great book for all teens.
Rating: 
Summary: Wasn't satisfied
Review: I remember reading "The Giver" a few years back and being absolutely drawn into it. I couldn't believe the imagination Lois Lowry had and it became my all-time favorite book, just in one day. So recently I discovered "Gathering Blue" and was willing to give it a try. I was very disappointed. The setting of the story was all too familiar, and the ending was very predictable. Even the "singled out child" type of plot was the same. I was looking for something different and fresh, not just a mere copy of "The Giver." I applaud Lois Lowry for her attempt to make "Gathering Blue" as worthy as "The Giver" but in my opinion, it was hardly that.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkable
Review: This novel is a remarkable book, one level better and stronger than The Giver. It's a utopia, a dystopia, an exploration of the role of the artist in society, and--to my great surprise--a spiritual allegory of such quiet beauty that I was astonished. The weaknesses of C.S. Lewis or Madeleine L'Engle are completely transcended by this piece. This is the best book Lois Lowry has ever written.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read
Review: I grabbed this book on the way to the cash register because I am a fan of "The Giver". I started reading it when I got home and couldn't put it down. It is an interesting read and I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Very well done
Review: Kira knows she has no one to care about her, not even her uncle, now that her beloved mother has Katrina died. Her father died before she was born. Her mother barely kept Kira alive when their people wanted the newborn with the deformed leg left in the Field of Leaving. Kira knows that her neighbors hate her for her twisted leg and though a recognized skilled weaver will probably force to leave the village.Kira becomes frightened when the Council of Guardians summons her. To her shock, they bestow on her the honor of caretaker of the sacred Singer's robe, a garment that depicts the history of the world. They need her skills to repair damaged segments of the ceremonial garb. Kira moves into the Council Edifice, a structure that survived the Ruin that destroyed a previously advanced technological world. However, her new haven soon feels like a prison as the Guardians tell Kira what to do. She begins to question society, leaving her to wonder what she can do to make the world a freer place. GATHERING BLUE is an intriguing post apocalypse look at a society in which artistic creativity wars with the "common good." Middle school readers will enjoy the story line that depicts a young girl learning about responsibility while challenging the absolute dictatorial adult authority that rules her activities. Although Kira seems feeble at times for her sacred role, the ensemble is fully developed and provide insight into a society struggling to survive. Hopefully future books will give the audience deeper looks at why the Ruin occurred, but for now readers have this novel and Lois Lowry's previous tale, THE GIVER, set in the same world. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: At 5:30pm, I picked up this book in a store simply because I recognized the author's name and remembered her book "The Giver" which has fascinated me ever since I read it years ago. At 8:15pm, still in the store, I got to the last page. I'd never put it down! The book jacket might lead one to think this book is just a new formula-type book modeled after "The Giver." But it isn't despite some similarities. It is unique.
Rating:
Summary: Lowry Strikes Gold Again
Review: Emotionally complex and challenging to youth and adult readers alike, Gathering Blue stands on its own as a powerful novel, but can also be seen as a companion piece to the Newbery Award winning The Giver, by the same writer. At the center of the story is Kira, a girl who manages, in spite of her crippled leg, to survive and even thrive in a cruel and violent culture. Her special gift of weaving earns her the notice of the authorities and she is given the task of re-making the singer's robe, a powerful symbol for the people. Kira comes to realize that the those in power are not benevoent as she had thought, but are using her for an evil purpose.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book for young and old
Review: I bought this book for my daughter, but she was reading another book so I started reading it--I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. She is reading it now and we are having a wonderful time discussing the book together. I would recommend this book very highly.
Rating:
Summary: SUPERCALAFRAGALISTIC!
Review: Gathering Blue is definitely Newbery Award Winning material. It's just as good as The Giver, if not better. I could not put the book down! It's absolutely SUPERCALAFRAGALISTIC!
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