Customer Reviews
The Girl with a Twisted Leg - KCS 
2007-10-10
Kira is a 2 syllable girl with a twisted leg. In her village, those who are diseased or unable to contribute to the village are left to die in the Field, but Kira was saved by her mother. The village is of little technology and is ruled by the Council of Guardians. When Kira's mother dies, she is left alone as an orphan. She is to be put into another family, but instead, the Council of Guardians takes her in. Her task is to restore the Singer's Robe, the robe worn by the Singer on the day of the Gathering, with her great weaving skill. There are other gifted orphans living beside her, such as Thomas the Carver, and Jo the soon-to-be Singer. With the help of her little rascal of a friend, Matt, they unravel a dangerous mystery that could get them killed.
This science fiction novel teaches you to be brave and to stand up for what you think is right. This book starts out pretty slow in the beginning, and the ending seems too short and incomplete. The author's writing style is magnificent; she can create another world so well that it makes you believe it is real. I had a blast reading this book as Kira and her friends go through hilarious and touching moments. I would recommend this novel to everyone because it is a wonderful book to get lost in.
Gathering Blue 
2007-05-16
My first Lois Lowry books were a Summer to Die, then Find a Stranger say goodbye. A friend had read Gathering Blue, she said it was really good but I was drawn away from it. Finally I read it and quikly I became confused. I found out that I was not focusing on the book. I started to re-read the book. I was amazed, the book made a huge impact on my life. I love it. Each one of Lois Lowry books come to life and make you feel the pain, happiness, joy, and guilt of your life, but expressed in different ways.
gathering blue student review 
2007-05-11
Hi I'm a six grader and I read the book Gathering Blue.This book is about a girl named Kira who's mother died and father didn't want her.This book was interesting in the middle because in the begining I really didn't understand what was happening to Kira but at the middle I started to get what was happening to her.The person who I recommend this book would be my old teacher Ms.Duphiney because she likes books that leaves you geussing.I would give this book 3 stars because this book isn't really what I was looking for,but my favorite part was when she had to build a cage for herself to live in.
DONE.
Gathering Blue Review 2007-05-10
Hi we are a group of 5 girls and we are reading a book called Gathering Blue. All 5 of us are in Middle School 118. Any age should read this book I think it is appropriate from ages 10 and up. We are reading this book because it looked and it sounded like an interesting book so we all agreed on picking the book. All 5 of us have read the book in class and in our homes. If you read this book it will make you understand how the character Kira felt in the book and it will make you understand the book way better and the real life of the orphans in the book Gathering Blue. Trust me you will love this book it is a story that once u read it you will not forget. - CrYsTaL.
The book Gathering Blue is about a girl named kira. Kira's mother just died and now she needs to find her place in life. While kira's life changes mysteries and secrets are being discovered. Kira is an orphan with a twisted leg and lives in a world with all cast aside included her. But the all- powerful Council of Guardians spares her by giving her a task that no other community member can carry out. Kira's future is a big blur and she's scared of what the blur might be but when she finds out that's when things get clearer! - NaThALiE.
I thought the book was a good book but it got a little bit boring. And the reason I felt that way was because kira's mom died and then she didn't have anyone to stay with so finally she meets a boy name matt help kira find her dad what a surprise and then they lied to her saying that her father was killed by a bear. But that was a lie her father, left her for another reason. But that big blur came to a clear end and this book brings a lot of surprises to this book. - KeYoNnA.
We recommended this book to all the people that like to read about orphans that suffer a lot. We think that this is an appropriate for all kind of ages that can be able to read chapter books. And if u like reading about orphans. The Gathering Blue is just not a regular book it is a book u will never forget not like the other books. The kind of interest you should find in this book is how a young girl could stand a lot of suffer from a lot of things its just crazy how that girl can take all that pain and still try to be happy. - StEpHaNiE
Some question that you may ask while reading this book Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry are. One do you think that Mat really helps Kira in her problems? Two do you think that they should make a place for orphan kids? The Gathering why is it very immpotant? Read the book and find out what is the meaning of the gathering and why is it important.Well I am not going to spoil the surprise in Gathering Blue so bye.JeSsIcA
Amazing. If you liked the Giver you should read this. 2007-04-29
I read this book after I read the Giver. I thought it was similar to the Giver in the way that they both had "utopian" societies. I loved this book. I cried when I read it at the end. I loved how she was the one who got to restitch the robe. I loved how she found her father. This book is so amazing. I loved Lois Lowry when I was younger. She is an amazing author.
definitely read this book
thank you for your time,
Loran
Bothersome Blue 
2008-06-19
I found this somewhat slow to start. About 70 pages in it seemed more interesting. I continued reading because this has fairly decent reviews and I've read Lois Lowry's 'Gossamer' which I really liked.
I have mixed reviews on this book. I did NOT enjoy reading this book. I thought the writing was well enough that I did like the characters and cared for them. I was bothered by how people are treated in this society especially the children. I felt a sense of urgency to continue to read to make sure the kids and the main characters turned out ok. With that said, I never found much relief. I don't understand why people are saying this has a happy ending. I wouldn't say this has a happy ending. Also, I thought the ending left you with so many questions...Why did she stay? Why not go and take her friends with her? Why didn't she tell anyone the truth about the dyer's death?
I can understand how some people would like this type of book. I prefer a book with a happy ending, an uplifting moral/message or clean love story. None of that was found in this book.
Good read 2008-05-29
This book was interesting and a parrallel to The Giver, being a primitice society while The Giver presented a futuristic society. This is a worthwhile book like I said, but I read it because I was told it was a "companion" to The Giver, which is my favorite book. If you are looking to find out what happens to Jonas and Gabe by reading this book you won't find an answer! The conclusions of the characters from both The Giver and Gathering Blue are given in the third companion, The Messenger.
Gathering Blue, Written by Laura Deemer 2008-05-21
"`Can you make blue?' she asked.
But Annabella frowned. `You need the woad,' she said. `Gather fresh leaves from first year's growth of woad. And soft rainwater, that makes the blue.' She shook her head. `I have nought. Others do, but they be far away.'
`Who be others?' Matt asked.
The old woman didn't answer the boy. She pointed toward the far edge of her garden, where the woods began and there seemed to be a narrow overgrown path. Then she turned toward her hut. Kira heard her speak in a low voice. `I ne'er could make it,' she was saying. `But some have blue yonder.'"
When Kira's mother dies of sickness Kira is left all alone to die because of her crippled leg. Then unexpectedly the Council of Guardians grants Kira a place as The Weaver. While working to repair the Singer's robe Kira works with the old dyer Annabella, and learns that they have no woad to make blue. While living at the Council Edifice Kira finds out many secrets, about the Council, herself, places yonder, and their future. As she ventures into ideas she'd never even dreamed of her role becomes clearer. She must change the future to save the town from the Council, and help gather blue.
Gathering Blue fits right along with The Giver. In both worlds there are secrets hidden from the town, and the main characters uncover the secrets. They also both try to save the town and make the townspeople stronger. The leaders of the towns rule the people and leave the people clueless. Gathering Blue has deeper emotions, and is better than The Giver. If you like The Giver you will definitely enjoy reading Gathering Blue.
In Gathering Blue there are more complex characters. The main character Kira is filled with adventure and suspicion. This makes the book interesting and makes the reader want to read on. Matt is her little friend that follows her everywhere, and he matures during the book, to understand Kira more. Jamison is Kira's defender, who is a suspicious and very uncertain character. Thomas is very serious, and is knowledgeable. He helps Kira unravel the secrets of the council.
In the end, Louis Lowry leaves you to imagine what happens to Kira next. I was disappointed that it was another cliffhanger ending. The book could have used a little more resolution, like The Giver. I was so frustrated when I didn't get to find out if Kira actually succeeded in her mission or not. I'll always be wondering what happened. Read the book Gathering Blue and see what you think will happen to Kira after all. Happy reading!
A time-honored tradition - Power 2008-04-04
Gathering Blue, like The Giver, delves into a recurring theme found in humanity - power and control and the consequences thereof. Once humans moved beyond hunter and gatherer and created complex societies, a hierarchical class structure also developed - the Haves and the Have Nots. Lowery delves into this class structure by blatantly pointing out how power, in the hands of the few, shape society to their liking - at a cost. Both Gathering Blue and The Giver illuminate this aspect of human society irregardless of time period or setting; it is yet present today in the USA as it was in the Middle Ages. I believe this is one theme, Lowery may want the reader to think about.
Gathering "Blue" Against the Savagery 2008-03-05
In this post-apocalyptic society, culture has regressed to a primitive form, with art and advanced technology being almost completely lost. This scenario seems more believable than the advanced, utopian society of The Giver; Lowry presents the savagery of human nature when it needs to survive. The few artists here are the rational, creative opposite of that instinct (while also being enslaved to it).
Despite being written for young readers, Lowry does not talk down to her audience or point out the blatantly obvious, as so many writers in this genre do. I've always appreciated her writing for that, and this holds up to her standard. The characters are solid, sometimes even truly shocking in their capabilities for cruelty. I enjoyed the symbolism she hints at with gathering, literally, "blue"-- the color of peace and calm that is gone from their particular village.
I do have one nitpick: the ending. While the story builds up to an ominously dangerous scenario for the main characters, it then ends, and on an oddly optimistic note. I understand the sequel, Messenger, picks up a few years after this book ends; now I have no choice but to read it! Instead of making Gathering Blue self-contained, as The Giver is, Lowry leaves the bulk of the resolution to the next book. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but the sudden (and a little too cheery) ending threw me off.
