Son

Son

Lois Lowry (2012)

The conclusion to The Giver etc....

Loved the first 60% of the book then suddenly there's some sort of magic involved??  Maybe it was late and I didn't read it right, need to finish it tonight.

Finished! And it turned out fine, just had me a little worried for a minute. The evil magic part is the weakest aspect, but it does tie in with the series characters having supernatural-ish "gifts" such as healing and future sight. It was an abrupt change from the rest of the book but I should have trusted the great Ms. Lowry. She does know what she's doing, after all. And of course now I need to go back and read all the other books.

Very well done conclusion (or is it?) to the series. The characters and stories all tie together, which may help students still confused and concerned over The Giver's ending. I might even suggest skipping from book 1 to book 4, then going back to the middle ones. I think Jonas was such a strong reader connection it is hard to have the ambiguous end to his story. The mother in this book, Claire, is also a strong character who shows courage, strength, fierce determination. Great Middle School discussion book, lots of Why's to ask.

Gossamer

Gossamer

Lois Lowry (2006)

I know, I know -- so I have a little crush on Ms. Lowry. It's not like I'm hoping her next Newbery winner is titled "TeacherDad" or includes a special dedication to her #1 fan...

I think one of her talents is making the reader feel a part of the story right away; within the first few pages I feel as if I'm in the room with her characters, actually turning my head to hear one speak. Gossamer is about dream-fairies, and I found myself being quiet, holding still and listening carefully as I read of them sneaking into a house at night while people slept. When her characters are concerned or hurt, or in danger, I'm not only apprehensive because it's a good story, I'm emotionally invested, I care for them...

Lowry also uses very precise language, both as a plot device and as an art form; her characters are often named for their job or personality, or become "named" as a rite of passage. Especially in Gossamer her characters discuss the proper word for a situation or an emotion, making sure it expresses the correct tone and conveys the correct meaning to those hearing the word used. Perfect for vocabulary lessons!

This book is also about a boy from a broken home, abused by his father, shuttled around foster homes while his mom puts her life back together. He's taken in by a retired teacher and her dog, and we see how their memories and dreams help them to cope with life.

connections: divorce, foster care, Dear Mr. Henshaw

Number the Stars

Number the Stars

Lois Lowry

Newbery Medal 1990

A story of WWII in Denmark and helping Jews escape to Sweden, tense at times but not over-dramatic or preachy. Mention of the food and supply shortages, the resistance fighters, strong bonds of family and faith. Historically accurate.

connections: Anne Frank, Holocaust, Zlata's Diary, current event examples of oppression/genocide

Messenger

Messenger

Lois Lowry (2004)

The continuing story from The Giver and Gathering Blue, but different than the others by the more supernatural element throughout. I think the book suffers some for this, especially the weak ending; unlike her others, where the conclusion comes too soon because you want to read more, this ending comes at the point when she just can't add anything else or it will really get strange... adding the magic takes away from the strong characters, from the personalities and wills that were special in the other books.

But it's still good, worth the read. Family relationships, societal relationships and responsibilities, thinking for yourself vs. crowd mentality, materialism, use of talents and "gifts" for the greater good, or for personal gain?

connections: any of Lowry's other books I've read, gardening, healing

Gathering Blue

Gathering Blue

Lois Lowry (2000)

I believe this is a "companion" to The Giver, but it's not technically a sequel; there's another book that somewhat ties the two together... futuristic dystopian society, very primitive, cold hearted in its treatment of the ill and children, unless you have artistic abilities, then you get indoor plumbing! There's a clear sense (the theme?) that basically without art, we rot. The "Gathering" scenes remind me of long and boring, especially for children, holiday church services, where the tradition and the message is irrelevant and un-spiritual. With Lowry the ending isn't always an ending -- should she stay or go? -- but this one satisfied me (not that I don't want to read more)... Very well done; I'm starting to rank Ms. Lowry higher and higher on my list of best authors around...

connections: artists and culture in society, disabilities, ethical dilemmas, Shayamalan's "The Village"

http://loislowry.typepad.com/lowry_updates

The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Newbery Medal 1994

Yes, I am man enough to admit tears did flow. I am man enough to confess to my emotional weakness, but only due to the blessed anonymity of the internet -- I doubt I will crash into any of you at Vons tomorrow and need to hide behind the banana and mango display when you announce to all "Hey, you're the guy bawling your eyes out when reading a children's book!"

Seriously, I have to rank this as a great book; the ending was not my favorite style of conclusion (the lady or the tiger?) but overall I was very impressed. I cared about the characters, the writing was clear not heavy, even during the serious parts. It does get serious, and disturbing, so 6th grade and up...

{note from an astute LTer : " I think it was the most appropriate way for The Giver to wrap up, especially because it's a YA novel--in other words, geared toward younger readers who are still learning to think and question information. A concrete ending with a single interpretation would have adversely affected their options to do so.In fact, I like the ambiguous ending so much that I have no plans to read the companion books, because of their potential to limit some of the many (often incompatible) conclusions I've drawn about The Giver's world." -- "Trismegistus" } 1/26/08