Mark Shields

My daughter (11) and I just read these books by Lois Lowry. There are
actually three books in the series, The Giver, Gathering Blue and the new
one called Messenger. We both found them interesting and very thought
provoking. I was very curious about a lot of things from the first two
that are cleared up in the Messenger as it brings the two together. I
don't want to give it away, but Messenger would also be a bit disturbing
for those who found the first two like that. We actually saw Lois Lowry at
a book store signing event where she gave a talk and unfortunately I was
busy with my younger child, but my daughter did hear her talk. I had
questions I wanted to ask, but didn't have the chance. I always wondered
what happened to the baby (Gabriel) from the first book. There was no
indication of what happened to him in the third (but Jonas does live). My
daughter found the books to be sad but not so disturbing. However, she's
never been too bothered by really tough things in stories. For instance,
when I was reading aloud HP and Goblet of Fire I was horrified to read the
part about Wormtail cutting off his hand, but it didn't bother her at all
and that was several years ago.

Anyway, I would still highly recommend Lowry's books. The one that is my
daughter's favorite and the one she chose to have signed by Lois Lowry is
Number the Stars which is about the Holocaust. I haven't read it, but it's
on my reading list now!
Kristin

-----Original Message-----
From: joylyn [SMTP:joylyn@...]

Their is a companion to the giver, called Gathering Blue. Both are very
disturbing novels. Maybe I just take them too seriously, but I was very
disturbed by them, and yet I have read both books more than once, and
would like to teach the giver to my students (6th grade). I also don't
want Lexie to read it, yet.

Joylyn