Rating: 
Summary: gathering blue
Review: i hated this book. it was really boring. i would never read this book again.
Rating: 
Summary: Lite reading (L-I-T-E lite)
Review: I was excited when I found this book, and heartened by the reviews of it. I was disappointed, however, when it arrived. Perhaps I have become more cynical as I have grown, but this book did not have nearly the lyrical, thought-provoking quality that _The Giver_ had.Part of _The Giver's_ beauty, to me, was that the society did, at first, seem 'better' than ours; a seeming utopia. The flaws were teased out, first with an unassuming childlike quality and then increasingly with a critical adolescent eye. Instead, here, the society is broken and flawed from the start. We see it. Kira sees it. Her friends see it. Our perception of the society doesn't really change at all as the book progresses. Perhaps that's the biggest flaw here. There is no real development. Yes, the characters find out things they didn't know before, but they don't really develop as characters. There is no change in perception. The only possible exception, Kira's perception of her guardian, is so poorly fleshed out (he appears rarely, and then only to deliver orders) that the revelations are not shocking at all; you had the feeling that something was going on, you were just waiting to find out exactly what. Although the ending feels unfinished, it isn't unfinished in quite the same way that the Giver is. In the Giver, were the next page to be written, it could fundamentally change the "meaning" of the story. The beauty of it is that as a result we aren't quite sure what the meaning is, and so we have to figure it out for ourselves. Here, we know basically what's going to happen to all of the main characters. We know what state they're all in, we know what's going on, and we have some good idea of how that's going to change, both short-term and long-term. There is no real doubt as to the meaning here, and so it lacks the intense punchline -- or lack of one. Worse, still, it had "study questions" in the back, plus a justification essay by the author. I don't want study questions that prod me into their way of thinking. I don't want to be reminded of grade school. I -certainly- don't want to know that the author felt that justification of the novel was necessary! It was a quick, lite read (and I use the word 'lite' intentionally). Don't bother buying it. Get it from the library. You probably won't ever re-read it, anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: A thought-provoking story
Review: Anyone who enjoyed Lowry's earlier work, "The Giver", will also enjoy this companion story, set in a very different dystopia . When her mother dies, the orphaned Kira loses the only person who has so far protected her right to live. In the world she inhabits, a world of harsh deprivations, the sick and disabled are routinely killed. Kira's life is spared only because her weaving skills make up for the limitations her lameness imposes on her ability to contribute to the community. But Kira learns that, along with the color blue, she can also bring peace and love to her community. "Gathering Blue" is as well-written as "The Giver", with a less ambiguous ending and a stronger, more positive, message of social responsibilty. Kira stays to effect change in her community; she does not seize the opportunity to run away and improve her own lot, as Jonas did. Like "The Giver", this book contains some disappointingly simplistic, narrow references to Christianity, however; the "Worship-object" is a wooden cross. The story could have been given the universal significance it deserves if its religious symbolism had simply been made more generally applicable to any religion. "Gathering Blue" is a thought-provoking story. It explores questions about the role of the disabled in society - how they can contribute to society through their artistic talents, or simply through their ability to love or to make others laugh. The book demonstrates the need for, and benefits of, a sense of social responsibilty towards the less able. It also contains some interesting factual details about the use of plants to dye cloth.
Rating:
Summary: Gathering Blue
Review: This is a book set in a futuristic time where disabled babies are brought to the Field and are left to be eaten by beasts. What a surprise, then, that Kira, a girl with a twisted leg, is still alive at thirteen years old. Kira's father was killed by beasts before she was even born and her mother fought to keep Kira alive. However, things seem grim for Kira's future; her mother died of some unknown sickness, which leaves Kira an orphan. When she comes back from having watched the spirit of her mother leave the body, a group of women led by Vandara want to turn the space where Kira's house was into a pen to keep chicken and tykes out of trouble. Kira and Vandara then go to the Council Edifice and have a trial. If Vandara wins, Kira will have to go to the Field like she was supposed to. If Kira wins, Kira can rebuild her house and keep working at the weaving shed, where she was picking up scraps. However, Jamison, one of the Guardians, has a different idea in store for her. Though Vandara will have Kira's land, Kira will spend her time in the Council Edifice, working on repairing the Singer's robe, which tells the history of the people. This is a well-thought out story and, though it is said to be the companion of The Giver, does not necessarily need to be read after The Giver. This book definitely needs a continuation since Lowry ended the book quite suddenly, and, just like in The Giver, Kira's future is uncertain. Lowry talked about writing a book where Kira and Jonas meet, which would therefore make a bridge between the two worlds. If you were a fan of The Giver, you will not be disappointed by this new book, which is not at all a utopia, but a world where betrayal, lies and plots to get rid of the weak are present.
Rating:
Summary: Incomplete, but well written book
Review: Lois Lowry is indeed a very gifted author. Gathering blue is an outstanding example of how her ideas raise the bar for our thoughts and concepts of society and humanity. Every bit of this book was engrossing. So engrossing,that I did not notice how close the climax was to the end of the book. The only problem with this book, granted a big problem, is that the book ends much too soon. It presents a conflict and then refuses to solve it. The solution is left up to us. While this could be a thought pro-voking way to end the book, it does not succeed since we do not have the information we need to make any kind of conclusion. The only thing the abrubt ending succeeds in is annoying the reader. This book works well as "part 1" of a novel. What it desperately needs is a part 2.
Rating:
Summary: Tamer than Giver, but good
Review: This book seemed tamer than _The Giver_, not because of the primitive time period but because of its conflict--it's not quite as shocking or gut-wrenching as the climax of _The Giver_. However, _Gathering_ shares the same theme, and Lowry's portrayal of Kira's and Thomas's occupations is an excellent metaphor for the creative process of any art form. I loved the detail she brought to the characters of the Fen, especially the dialect. However, I was disappointed by some of the narration and a loose end. I don't mean the very end, but rather the part about Jo using a signal that was never used. The narration--I know the characters had to reason out their situations, but sometimes it felt like this took reaction away from the reader. When the dyer described making color in wonderful poetic terms, Kira had to reflect, "What a strange set of words." She may have felt that way, but as readers who are supposed to empathize with the characters, we should already feel what the character feels without having to be told. All in all, though, the book had some beautiful words and charming scenes, and presented a good view of creativity versus rote skill. It is a fine story, and incidentally lends itself to reading aloud.
Rating:
Summary: Better than I thought
Review: This astonishing book by Lois Lowry is a perfect example of how to capture irony and real life experiences in unreal fashions. "Gathering Blue" is an awesome journey through the mishaps and struggles of a little girl's life. Kira is a crippled orphan living in a harsh world based on discrimination and perfection. After both of her parents die, Kira's life is left in the hands of the leaders of her village, the Council of Guardians. They decide to keep Kira alive on the fact that she has a fascinating gift of weaving threads. She is chosen to repair and maintain the magnificent robe worn once a year during the Ruin Song, the history of their world. This is told through song, and the intricate designs are presented on this colorful robe.
With the help of her friends, Thomas and Matt, Kira establishes her strength and willingness. Thomas is a carver who preserves the engraved staff for the ceremony. He becomes one of Kira's best friends and understands Kira's pain. Matt is a mischievous little boy who discovers Kira's father years after he was pronounced dead. Jamison, Kira's advisor implied that beasts killed her father, but he actually tried to kill him. Kira and her friends comfort Jo, a tiny girl who will become the new singer for the ceremony. After Jo's parents died, she was brought to prepare there for the upcoming ceremonies.
One of the main problems in the story is that even though there are so many colors among the threads Kira is given to use for the robe, there is no blue. She gets along without it, but she visions the robe with calm blue waters and bright afternoon skies. When Matt returns with Kira's father at the end of the book, he brings blue cloth as a present for Kira. She is delighted and overwhelmed. At the end of the book, Kira finally discovers that she actually has a purpose in life and is finally wanted.
Rating:
Summary: Gathering Blue
Review: I found Gathering Blue to be fairly easy to read. The main character of the novel, Kira, is unfortunate. She has a twisted leg, her mother has died, and her village wants her out She thinks she will be kicked out by the Council of Guardians, but to her surprise, they giver her a member of the council to represent her, Jamison. This novel's plot did not have many twists and turns like a lot of others have. Instead, Lois Lowry focused more on Kira's opinion on society. Gathering Blue was written in the third person limited, which means that the narrator was a person other than a character in the novel and had a limited knowledge of the characters and what was going on. Gathering Blue is set in a future time. This novel makes us think if someday this may happen to us, where if we cannot keep up with the standards of society, we will be thrown into the fields with the beasts to tear us apart, as they threatened to do to Kira. I don't want to give away the ending, so you'll have to read and see what happens! Some of the concepts in this novel may not be understood by younger children, such as why Kira would not be accepted by her village just because of a physical disability, so even though this novel can be found in the children's section, I recommend it to older children rather than very young. I enjoyed reading this novel. It is not a very difficult plot to follow because, as I mentioned before, there are not many twists and turns in the plot. I personally have not read the companion novel to this one, The Giver, but I have heard that the two are similar and should be read together. Gathering Blue leaves a few questions unanswered, so there may be a possibility for a third companion novel to these two. Gathering Blue is a fairly easily read novel and I would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Gathering Blue
Review: I found Gathering Blue to be fairly easy to read. The main character of the novel, Kira, is unfortunate. She has a twisted leg, her mother has died, and her village wants her out. She thinks she will be kicked out by the Council of Guardians, but to her surprise, they give her a member of the council to represent her, Jamion. This novel's plot did not have many twists and turns like a lot of others have. Instead, Lois Lowry focused more on Kira's opinion on society. Gathering Blue was written in the third person limited, which means that the narrator was a person other than a character in the novel and had a limited knowledge of the characters and what was going on. Gathering Blue is set in a future time. This novel makes us think if someday this may happen to us, where if we cannot keep up with the standards of society, we will be thrown into the fields with the beasts to tear us apart, as they threatened to do to Kira. I don't want to give away the ending, so you'll have to read and see what happens! Some of the concepts in this novel may not be understood by younger children, such as why Kira would not be accepted by her village just because of a physical disability, so even though this novel can be found in the children's section, I recommend it to older children rather than very young. I enjoyed reading this novel. It is not a very difficult plot to follow because, as I mentioned before, there are not many twists and turns in the plot. I personally have not read the companion novel to this one, The Giver, but I have heard that the two are similar and should be read together. Gathering Blue leaves a few questions unanswered, so there may be a possibility for a third companion novel to these two. Gathering Blue is a fairly easily read novel and would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Gathering Blue
Review: I thought that this book was a rather good book and I enjoyed it. The novel starts off introducing a girl named Kira. Kira is grieving over the loss of her mother, which makes her an orphan because her father died before she was born. And Kira has a twisted leg making her crippled that just adds to the problem. The only reason Kira stayed alive after her birth was because her grandfather was a man of great power, giving him a four-syllable name. Now that both of her parents are dead, the other women of her society want no more of Kira. They feel that she is a burden to their society. They want to put her in the Field where she will eventually die from the beast, just like her father. So the women ultimately confront Kira, only after she was told by one of the other tykes, that she is no longer wanted in that community. This would later set up a meeting with the Council of Guardians to decide Kira future. But Kira had some confidence that her skill with treading will keep her alive because she is the only one in her community to have such a talent. I thought that this novel had a good beginning even though it started rather slow.
I believe that the climax of the novel is right in the beginning when Kira has a meeting with the Council of Guardians, which will determine if she continues to live. Her accuser is a high woman in her society named Vandara. I guess you can say that Kira comes out victorious because her defender is able to convince the other members of the council to let Kira live. Vandara and the other women do get most of what they wanted. The rest of the story is about her going to live at the Council Edifice in the town, and discovering more of her incredible gift of weaving. She is assigned to fix and create parts of the Singers robe, a robe worn by a man who tells the story of the world to the town at a gathering each year. She meets Thomas, another Council Edifice worker, along with having a passionate friend named Matt who is poor and lives in the village.
I found the end of the book to be not as good as the rest of the book though. It just ended with a lot of things hanging there. It introduced new situations in which the book never really touched on. But maybe Lois Lowry is planning to write a sequel to this novel.
I thought this book was an okay book and I would recommend it to others but not to everyone.
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