Chelsey K.
11/20/2014 03:53:00 am
Here it is, the sequel (sort of) of "The Giver"! I'm just curious, how will community tie into the previous community? Why is this community different from the previous one? What could of possibly happened for these things to happen? Hopefully this book will give us more clues and answers about what happened.
Michelle
11/20/2014 05:22:04 am
I am eager to discover how many details of this community relate the the giver's community. I also hope that this is where Jonas and Gabe ended up and that we see at least a glimps of them in this book. The whole first syllable name and the more syllables as they get older confuses me. What is the purpose? Is it to show power within the village? I predict that this book won't be as good as the giver mainly because it is a sequel and I became super attached to the previous book.
Carri
11/20/2014 08:34:45 am
Kira has been with her dead mother for 4 days because that what they due to release the sprit. While she with her mother they burn the house so now she has no place to live. When you are young you only have 1 syllable in your name, Kira has 2 and her father had 3 but sadly her father went hunting and died by a beast or something. now I wonder who the man is that Kira seems to know who is build over her old home? I wonder how this will relate or differ from the giver? Why do they care about how many symbols are in your name? Why doesn't this book take off where the giver left off? Are Kira and Jonas going to meet? I cannot predict that Kira is going to find the man who is going to build over her burned home.
Alex
11/20/2014 09:48:31 am
Gathering Blue is so far an okay book, but that's what I thought about the Giver at first to. I really don't like how the two books are not related. I am a lot bit curious about how the community in The Giver and the Gathering Blue Community are related. I am also thinking about what community did Jonas end up in? where is he? What happening to him? Is he okay?
Sadie
12/4/2014 12:53:48 pm
Lol Alex but I totally agree. I think it's all happening at the same but are being told in different books. It would be nice to know though how the communities are handling the release of all those memories. I still think the giver should have come but he probably would have died if he had. Maybe the girl, I can't recall her name, will have to escape the place as well and end up taking that friend of hers along.
Tyler the Conquistador
11/21/2014 03:58:25 am
This week in gathering blue Kira left her mother after being with her spirit for four days as required when someone dies, them departed to see went to see if her cott was still there after the fact that Kira has a leg deformation was revealed.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:00:34 pm
Remember -- not just a summary! I want questions, comments, predictions.
Chris Nurse (^_^)
11/21/2014 04:07:40 am
In the book, Gathering Blue, I am still a little confused about the whole story. However I should get used to this, as The Giver was confusing the whole time. The community in this book is extremely different from The Giver community. This book is quite unique, no story I have read is all that similar, aside from the poverty in the community. I wonder why they have this whole spirit thing in this book but not in the other. I believe that these two villages are parts of an experiment (similar to The Maze Runner series) run by the village in the fourth book.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:01:44 pm
I hadn't thought of that happening! Nice thoughts.
Destiny D.
11/21/2014 04:29:02 am
I have so many questions about this book like honestly. I wasn't here for the first time we read it. Okay so you get more syllables as you grow older? What kind of wack is that? Also, lying next to your dead mother for four days?!? That's a little messed up. I'm still confused why they'd burn down her house because of the sickness.
Michelle
12/5/2014 04:19:57 am
In theory it all makes sense, they believe in more spiritual things as compared to the Giver there wasn't anything. She stayed with the body to help her mother's spirit move on. The syllable thing is to show rank and power throughout ten community. Notice all elders have more syllables and people of importance. It is a subtle way of saying hey I have more syllables I am more important to the community.
Blake
12/4/2014 01:24:26 am
In Gathering Blue, Kira is in court against the accuser Vandira and she believes she has the upper edge but then it seems as if her defender is against her. He says the accusations are true but she is worried that he has been conquered and can't keep her alive.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:03:16 pm
Not just summary please -- questions, comments, predictions.
Alex
12/4/2014 01:33:10 am
Gathering Blue is getting interesting. I am very excited to see how the giver is connected to this book. I am predicting that maybe Kira will do similar to what Jonas did and notice her community's flaws and fix them or at least try to. I also think her dad is alive, I don't really know why but it's just a prediction. Can't wait to read more!!!
Sadie
12/4/2014 01:01:12 pm
She's going to have a pretty hard time trying to scape with her foot the way it is. Like I said above, maybe she is going to take her freind with her or something. I don't know how much he could even do though.
Aj
12/4/2014 01:36:01 am
Gathering Blue is really the opposite of The Giver. The two societies couldn't be any more different. Personally I think the trial of Kira vs. Vandira is pathetic, what adult is going to not let a kid have a home, I mean seriously. The Gathering Blue society reminds me a bit like the societies when the pilgrims came; wooden houses, men being more accepted then women, women taking care of children and housework. I actually am wondering if this is one of the communities mentioned in The Giver, and if so what will happen if someone from the giver community moves to The Gathering a Blue Community will they see color. The defender provided for Kira seems awfully mysterious and I think he knows about the cloth is her pocket and that it is important.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:06:20 pm
I like how you picked up on the opposite nature of everything. I kept thinking that as I was reading! It is interesting how the two communities deal with memory, though. I want to learn more about this ritual with the storyteller. It's like in The Giver they didn't have any memory at all, and here they celebrate the retelling every year.
Destiny
12/4/2014 02:04:58 am
Why is their grammar so off? Like honestly! This community kind of reminds me of our own to be honest. Everyone is so hostile to each other and rude. Also a lot of people feel the need to make fun of people because of things they cannot help. Whenever Kira has her peice of cloth in her pocket, it reminds me of Marlee, in Lions of Little Rock, has her feather to keep her calm and make her feel braver.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:08:34 pm
Great connections and observations! I think the one little boy talks that way because he is so young. It also shows their lack of education. This is another opposite thing from The Giver. Also, in The Giver they were always overly polite to the point of weirdness, right? This almost feels more comfortable, which is completely sad! ha!
Carri
12/4/2014 02:09:53 am
In the book Gathering Blue Kira is fighting to keep her home because other ladies in the society want to turn it in to some kind of play pen for kids. Vandira says Kira is no use to the society because of her bent leg when really she can do some little things that are good plus she is good at sewing. I wonder what is going to happen with the whole house decideidin issue. I predict she will have to leave and might find some new friends along her journey.
Michelle
12/5/2014 04:16:43 am
Life for the villagers seems so difficult and uncertain, very different compared to Jonas's community. There is control, but it is determined by the people, like a ranking. It is really strange to me. The fact that none of the kids we have read about so far have any form of schooling is terrifying. This community seems to believe in only knowing what you are good at and trade skill. I don't know how I feel about this book yet, I only know that I am happy we finally know what purpose the title serves.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:10:24 pm
We didn't find out about The Giver until way into the book! At least this book explained that part fairly quickly. :-)
Tyler the conquistador
12/5/2014 04:23:23 am
This week in Gathering Blue Kira returns to her cott to find it burned down and when she started to gather wood for a new one she was confronted by Vendara and her gang who threatened to take her life. After reminding them that they would be punished for killing her, Kira was taken to court as an accused by Vendara who was her accuser. While in the court room Kira felt her clothe patch to comfort her which seemed to be alive.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:11:01 pm
Comments, predictions, and questions please. Pretty please.
Hazel
12/5/2014 05:03:04 am
Gathering Blue so far in my opinion is kind of really boring. I don't know if I just can't get into it, or I'm really tired of dystopian societies. I think the ladies in this village are really immature. Kira is probably just a young teen, who's whole family is practically dead, and they are fighting over her land which she rightfully hers. I don't understand the names that well with the syllables and all that fun stuff. I don't get when it's determined that you add another syllable? And does it stop? Do they have a syllable limit in the village? That honestly all I'm curious about I'm so lame.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:14:51 pm
Hopefully you will get into this a little bit more and it won't be complete torture. I understand about the dystopian society thing. It is starting to be a little overdone lately, isn't it? I do think the syllables are an interesting twist. It's a strange way to signify another stage of life.
Meredith
12/5/2014 02:45:02 pm
Gathering Blue has been an interesting book so far. It literally has no connections as of now to the previous book, The Giver. I had some questions as usual as to what is happening in the story. Such as, "Where is the story taking place?" "Is it an already existing place?" Also, "why must a child be discarded if there isn't a father around?" I hope some of my questions will later be answered as we continue reading.
Jonathan The Destroyer, and Savior of Humankind
12/6/2014 12:25:11 am
If you look at the map in Mrs. Abramowich's r
Jon
12/6/2014 12:25:59 am
Disregard this message.
Jonathan
12/6/2014 12:45:44 am
If you look at the map in Mrs. Abramowich's room, each community has it's own Elsewhere. As I have stated, the Elsewhere seems to takes ones memories and implement them as seen with Jonas's run-in with the festive town. As the Elsewhere came into view, color seemed to fade away, but once Jonas reached the Christmas town, his sense of color flooded back in. Through my observations, I can tell that Kira's (Kara?) Elsewhere will be somewhat spiritual.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:16:27 pm
Kira is right. That is interesting about the map. I hadn't noticed that! I really like your observations and predictions. They are very logical and thought out.
Kari
12/7/2014 01:42:28 am
I thought that when we were going to reas this there waa going to be some kind of connection to The Guver but I was completely wrong. The society Kira lives in is completely different than the one Jonas lives in. The whole getting more syllables in your name as you get older seems really weird to me. When do they get more syllables? Kira only has two already a teenager... This is a weird society.
B Abramowich
12/7/2014 01:19:52 pm
The other society was weird, too! They will connect eventually, but we have to plow through this to get the connections. I'm also feeling everyone's impatience!
Chelsey K.
12/7/2014 05:46:42 am
What's going to happen!? I want to know if Kira (is that how her name is spelled?) is able to live in her house. Can someone catch me up on what happened on Friday, I was sick.
Michelle
12/9/2014 07:32:28 am
I am so glad that the guardians (would we capitalize this because they are of importance sand it is a title...?) have a heart and let her stay. They compromised and still gave the women in the village the land. I'm so excited to see where her new living space is. Is it similar to the giver's where he had his own area totally different and separate from the surrounding world? Hmm? I read someone's blog and they brought up a good point, when does another syllable get added to one's name? Is it when you complete something worthy, when you reach certain age marks, WHAT DETERMINES THAT?!?!? Ugh! I may be weird but how nasty Vandera was being really grinds my gears, she had no reason to be snooty like that. This makes me curious as to why she is valued and respected in their village? Is it because she gained honor with the whole animal hunting horror story or because she elicits fear in others??
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:15:33 am
I can't remember if they capitalize guardians or not -- I think they do! I will have to check.
Blake Briscoe
12/10/2014 04:43:24 am
When people in the community talk about sending people to the field I am thinking it has to do with being released in the giver. I am surprised that the guardians have let her stay in the community even though she has a hurt leg. Victoria is outrage that she can stay and I hope she gets sent to the field.
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:16:29 am
Vandara --
Tyler the Conquistador
12/10/2014 05:11:42 am
This week (8) in Gathering Blue Kira was spared by the village elders but Vendara still got Kira's land for a children playpen. The elders appointed Kira as the person in charge of fixing the singers robe since they had faith in Kira's sewing ability. Kira was told she would get new living quarters but we haven't found out where or any other specifics.
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:17:14 am
Comments, connections, predictions
Carri
12/10/2014 05:21:50 am
Kira got to stay and continue her mothers skills of weaving. A boy named max found a dog and helped it heal and called him branch. It seems that a girl who is somewhere in the same area or section broke her arm and is now no use to the village so they sent her to the field. The dog max found has a bended tail like Kira's leg. In the Gathering blue it looks like the sending to the field is like a relese from the giver in some way.
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:18:49 am
I'm not picky about grammar and writing, but try to make sure you are paying attention to the basics such as capitalizing names. Those are just bad habits to get into when you are typing.
Alexandra Acker
12/11/2014 12:04:06 pm
Gather blue is a good book but I feel like nothing is happening. In other words it is kind of boring. I feel like we just started the book but really we are half way done with it. I do like how the author is ushering suspense by not letting us know where Keira is going to live. But gathering blue is not as good a The Giver was. It needs to be more interesting the author needs to include more events in the story.
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:20:59 am
This book is very different in the pacing and plot. The main suspense seems to be just in the way the world is so strange and wanting to know why. We also just want answers to the big questions from The Giver, so it's easy to be impatient. I feel the same way in some aspects, but I still think we will be glad that we read all of the books. I guess we will see!
Aj
12/12/2014 01:07:16 am
So far I think that Gathering Blue is both interesting yet boring. Compared to the Giver, I don't think it is provoking as much anxiousness for what is going to happen. In a sense the book is kinda predictable, but I do believe that it has a good plot line. I actually enjoyed to the part wiphen Matt described when Vendara stomped down the steps of the council.
Sadie
12/12/2014 04:48:12 am
Yeah, I totally have to agree with that. I do find myself wanting something interesting to happen already. I'm waiting for the shocking secrets the village is hiding from the people to be revealed. It's hard to imagine what kind of secrets they could possibly have though. Also what's the deal with Matt not wanting to bathe. Does he just like being dirting all the time?
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:24:12 am
Maybe they need to throw in some bath scenes but get Matt cleaned up! ha! Would that spice up the story for you all? ;-) I do understand what you are both saying about the pace and how things are happening. The characters are interesting and different, and I just keep comparing the two worlds and trying to figure out how the societies come together. I feel like we are in the dark about so much at this point that is hard to enjoy it.
Chelsey K.
12/12/2014 04:26:38 am
Yes! Kira is allowed to live! She also got the job to sew together the robe that's used for the town singer. This book better give us some answers that tell us how these communities are split up and why everything is the way it is.
Destiny
12/12/2014 04:28:43 am
I'm starting to get into the book more but it's kind of all a blur to me so far. I'm kind of wondering why Kira was so shocked about the carver living down the hall from her.. It's kind of suspicious. I really like the fact that they explain everything to you pratically and you don't have to do much inferring but sometimes it's more fun to infer.
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:26:16 am
I feel like there are so many things we still need to know but they are not giving us enough information yet to do the inferring! They are explaining exactly what is happening in this specific story, so I understand what you mean about that. It is nice and descriptive but kind of plain. They are bringing in some new plot twists with the carver, so that might be interesting.
Meredith
12/12/2014 12:26:27 pm
So Gathering Blue is way different than The Giver as it turns out. Kira gets to live as we found out in the last few chapters. She is moved to new living quarters where she will carry out her jobs that are assigned to her. The story mentioned Kira living across the hall from the carver that carves pendants for important people in the village. Since Kira was moved here because she was parent-less, this made me question "did the carver also lose his parents resulting him to live there?" From the past few chapters I have inferred that Kira's friend, Matt, is also parent-less as Kira suggested since he is filthy and seems to always be out in the village on the streets and never is in a hurry to get home meaning he may not have a home.
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:26:50 am
The Question Queen strikes again. Nice!
Ethan
12/12/2014 05:25:50 pm
Gathering Blue has a very interesting plot to it because we're multiple chapters in but we still don't really know what the conflict is? I wonder if it ends like The Giver where Jonas travels out into the Elsewhere if she will do the same. I'm very interested to see how the plot develops in Gathering Blue (she might just be looking for blue dye idk).
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:28:07 am
We have little problems and conflicts, but we really don't have a major one, do we? Nice observation, Ethan. Kira is now able to live, so that has been fixed. Does anyone else have ideas about the conflict?
Kari
12/13/2014 02:55:05 am
The book is becoming more and more interesting as we read it. I'm not as into it as The Giver because it doesn't give you as much backround information about the society. I think that somewhere in the end Jonas and Kira will meet or maybe in the next book. Somewhere in the series I think the plot will all come together.
B Abramowich
12/13/2014 05:28:39 am
It better come together or I'm going to be irritated! ha!
Blake
12/16/2014 03:10:16 pm
In “Gathering Blue”, Kira is confused by the hot water and not used to any of her stuff around her to be nice. She does like it, but it isn’t how she is used to so she still goes to the stream to clean her clothes. She talks to another boy who’s parents died, Thomas, he said after they noticed his talent his parents were killed. I think the community sees people in the bad part have talent and actually are useful but don’t want them out there. When they are in there quarters they can see if they are working too.
B Abramowich
12/18/2014 02:00:49 pm
It does seem like there is something strange going on with the leaders. They almost seem too nice and not completely honest. I think they do know many things that the common people don't.
Michelle
12/17/2014 04:24:43 am
Can we just talk about how weird Kira is acting towards the new changes in her life? The bath water, the food, the bed, everything it is hilarious. I also smell a budding romance between her and Thomas, not being weird but please, NO BATH SCENES. Which brings up a point, do the people who live in the special building with the name I cannot spell have any special privileges other than the ones mentioned? Do they have more leeway as far as rules go? Do the receive their own set of rules, like how does that work, because they live there you expect them to be treated differently.
Destiny
12/17/2014 07:27:10 am
This is like my mind right now. Like honestly
B Abramowich
12/18/2014 01:59:09 pm
The two groups (haves and have-nots) don't even seem to live on the same planet, and yet they are in the same, small village. What would happen if Kira didn't want to do the work or actually couldn't? What if she didn't follow their expectations? It doesn't seem like there are very many rules at this point, but what if she rebelled in some way?
Carri
12/17/2014 05:21:07 am
In Gather Blue Kira needs to make a robe for someone and needs to know how to dye so she goes to a women named Annabella. She tells her that she needs to go there every day and learn the colors and plants. I wonder why they don't have the color blue? I also wonder if Kira will try yo find the color blue or make it? Kira was also confused about the hot water becase she thought it was only used for dishes and that she must not use hot to take a shower.
B Abramowich
12/18/2014 01:55:24 pm
The color blue is very strange. Why is that so hard to get?
Destiny
12/17/2014 07:29:12 am
I really think it's interesting how shes not used to the bathroom. It reminds me of like a small town girl who all the sudden becomes a princess. I think "something" is going to happen between Thomas and Kira. Altough I think everyone thinks so.
B Abramowich
12/18/2014 01:54:46 pm
Can we not just have friendships between girls and boys people??? :-) I know -- the writing is on the wall. (or carved in the stick or stitched in the robe) Ok, I think I really need a Christmas break!
Sadie
12/17/2014 10:05:14 am
Like I had said the other day, I totally think they are hiding the technology they have from the people. They are living with in door pluming, hot water and all this high technology while the people are living on the land like the 17&1800's. Also, I have a feeling they are hiding something about the forest and its beasts. Unless they are in Africa or talking about bears, I can't really think about what else they could mean by beasts. What's the deal with that new boy's parents being "killed" by...what was it it again. I also don't think that was the case but then again I could be wrong.💗
B Abramowich
12/18/2014 01:53:13 pm
I think your suspicious nature is justified, Sadie! Something is very strange about the people disappearing or being killed in strange ways. What is really happening?
Alexandra
12/17/2014 11:24:50 am
Gathering blue is still in my opinion kind of boring. Nothing is happening, it is a slow book. Not that I have listened to a lot this week but from what I have herd nothing good is going. We have read around eight chapters and nothing that has occurred so far makes me want to keep reading. The giver was good but this just isn't. The only reason I want to keep reading is to see how this connects to the giver.
B Abramowich
12/18/2014 01:51:47 pm
I completely understand. It just isn't grabbing us as much as The Giver, is it? I don't want to give up on it because the reviews promise that the third and fourth get better.
Chelsey K
12/18/2014 11:43:28 pm
From what I can see, this community barely ever uses blue dye. They use to blue dye, but for some strange reason they stopped using it. So now Kira is curious and wants to find a way to make the blue dye and use it to fix the singer's robe. For now she's just going to have to fix the robe without the blue dye.
B Abramowich
12/19/2014 07:59:55 am
This has got to be one of the questions we have answered -- probably on the last page, right??
Jonathan
12/18/2014 11:51:23 pm
Through my comprehensive research, I can conclude that the main control of Kira's village has technology from the twenty-first century.
B Abramowich
12/19/2014 07:59:11 am
Always the most unique perspective! ha! It's good to be original.
Aj
12/18/2014 11:53:19 pm
I am still unsure about where I stand with this book, it is interesting but slightly boring. I really want to know what the special power of the cloth and wood is. I think that Thomas and Kira relationship will blossom to something more. Girly hearts and awwws 💞💖💕. Lol. I think that Kira will try and teach Thomas about the cloth and Thomas will try and teach Kira to read.
B Abramowich
12/19/2014 07:58:33 am
The reading! I hadn't thought of that, but now it seems obvious. Good call!
Meredith
12/19/2014 01:58:24 am
So in Gathering Blue, all the characters living in the building I want to call the Capitol is assigned to perform tasks to the articles of clothing/accessories to the singer. Who is this singer and why is he or she so important to the community? The carver also stated that the carvings on the singers cane helps him remember the parts of the song. This made me wonder, "What are the images that are carved into the cane?" It also made me wonder, "Will we ever know how this song goes or the morals behind it?"
Meredith
12/19/2014 02:00:01 am
*that belong to the singer.
B Abramowich
12/19/2014 07:57:55 am
This book makes me want to skip ahead and see what happens! I always like your questions.
Hazel
12/19/2014 02:36:09 am
I highly doubt that Thomas and Kira will have some sort of relationship. In The Giver, we all thought that Fiona and Jonas were going to have some cute relationship. In my opinion, I don't think Lois Lowry wanted the relationship to be one of the main focuses in her books. But if there is any chance they do, I'll ship them all the way. I find it interesting how blue is such an important color in their community. To us, blue is just blue. But in Kira's community it is something significant.
B Abramowich
12/19/2014 07:55:12 am
I like your thoughts on the relationship question. I think you are probably right, but I guess we will both see!
Tyler the Conquistador
12/19/2014 07:26:33 am
this week in gathering blue (only Wednesday) Kira went to the old woman with Matt and Dog in order to learn how to dye and what plants to dye with.
B Abramowich
12/19/2014 07:54:19 am
Plot is not enough. I know you weren't here for much, but you could have taken some effort to at least write this sentence well.
Kari
12/19/2014 03:44:58 pm
I think that Thomas and Kira will just be close friends in the book. I don't think a huge relationship will come out of it only because I think the book is going to focus on the main conflict and the little additional details won't be necessary. Obviously, blue is something very important in the book. The name is Gathering Blue... But I think Kira is curious about what is so special about the blue dye and actually tries and do something with that and figure it out.
Ethan
12/19/2014 04:14:07 pm
I still don't see where the conflict in the book is. I am very interested to see if the conflict is Kira traveling to a far away place to get blue or somthing like that. Also somthing seems a bit off when both the Carver and Kira had a sort of item that they felt almost connected to and that they couldn't explain their talent. Plus they were both given rooms inside that place and seem to be the only ones who live there. I think this might be important later in the book.
Aj
1/8/2015 01:06:26 am
I think the story plot is starting to get interesting now since the mentioning of the beast. I wish that Kira would make blue so we can see what impact it has on the story. I am really curious about what the beast is and if there is no beast what took Kira's father.
Destiny
1/8/2015 01:07:01 am
This book is kind of boring to be honest. I'm defintily not the biggest fan of it. I'm kind of wondering of it was actually a beast in the woods though. Even though Annabella (4 syllables) says "there be no beasts" I don't really believe that because if there wasn't any then what did Kira's father taken by to make him not return. What if Kira's father isn't dead, and he really didn't get taken by beasts. Hmm something to think about.
Carri
1/8/2015 01:21:51 am
I wonder why Thomas and Kira have objects that can speck to them through feeling there hand? How can an object like this warn you? Annabella says that there are no beast but ten what did Kira hear? Could it have just been a dog and what took her father? Could her father just be lost or captured by humans? The book isn't interesting at all but I have a a bunch of questions for what happened.
Michelle
1/8/2015 08:31:29 am
Plot twist: everyone who was deemed to be killed by beasts were actually shipped to the Giver's community to serve wisdom as elders and when they return they get more syllables. Nah just kidding but it'd be hilarious. I'm intrigued on why this woman who is perceived as wise and respectable because she has four syllable name said there are no beasts. This very statement rises a lot of questions such as "Who killed or kidnapped (adult napped..?) her father?" or "How come nobody has ever questioned the hunter's prey that they bring back?" and weirdly I think back to Vandera who also has a four syllable name. "If there are no beasts why is she lying about how she got her scars on her throat?" This is all very confusing. I'm still bored by the book, but it's picking up. I want to know why the blue dye was never continued to be made. Why was that knowledge not passed on? Was there a reason, is this society's government officials keeping secrets? Hmmm..... We wonder.
Blake Briscoe
1/8/2015 07:05:31 pm
I'm still wondering why/how the objects speak through the hands of Kira and Thomas. A four syllable woman also said there are no beasts. Is the women lying to try and hide some thing like the givers community did to them. Or is she actually being truthful.
Alex
1/9/2015 03:59:12 am
I think it is very weird that Thomas and Kira have objects that speak to they. I want to know how this story is related to the giver. Gathering blue is actually getting interesting. Oh and where is her dad if there is no beast? I am excited to read more and I think reading it by myself makes it more interesting.
Sadie
1/9/2015 04:17:49 am
10-11
Chelsey K.
1/9/2015 05:13:23 am
The book says that the hunters in Kira's village hunt only rabbits, birds, and occasionally a deer. They never hunt a "beast" that can kill, but Annabella said that there were no beasts in the area she lived in. What does she mean that there are no beasts? Why does everyone call them "beasts"? I really want these questions to be answered really soon in the book.
Jonathan Bornschein the (extremely long name used for filler).
1/9/2015 08:54:04 am
Annabelle saying that there is no beast, was quite confounding, after all a four-syllable does "know all". If there was no beast, what human or smaller animal would stalk Kira? Also something that caught me was the fact that they never kill a beast, but they claim that Kira's father was killed by a beast. How interesting, I must read on to uncover these problems.
Meredith
1/9/2015 12:10:34 pm
This week while reading Gathering Blue, Kira and Thomas the carver were discussing their possessions that they believe have something magic about them. This made me wonder, "Do all of the people assigned to special jobs have a comfort object that they believe is magic?" Also, while reading chapter 11, it said Kira showed up at Annabella's house out of breathe claiming she heard the beast. This information had me question on what this so called beast is and why was it following Kira? Hopefully later in the story we will find out what the beast is.
Hazel
1/9/2015 03:55:10 pm
Thomas and Kira both feel something through their possessions and they made it sound like magic. Also, Annabella tells Kira that there is no such thing as beast, that in the woods it was probably a human that wanted to keep her afraid of the woods. What if they just create the tale of scary beast to keep everyone from leaving the village so the council can keep the people like Kira and Thomas who seem to have a "gift" as their slaves? I 900% sure that Annabella knows about the shady things in that is going on in the village. And of course there is something shady going on or else whats the point of the book.
Ethån
1/9/2015 04:03:00 pm
11 chapters and still no conflict. But it seems it will have to do with Beasts. All adults say there are Beasts in the forest and Kira's mother says her father was killed by one BUT Annebelle says they don't exist. She didn't elaborate on why she thinks that, she acted all weird which makes me think that Beasts will be important to the plot later in the book.
Kari
1/10/2015 01:40:58 am
In chapters 10 Kira and Thomas go to find Matt who is with the hunters and trying to act like one. When they took him and started to give him and his dog a bath he started scrambling and trying to get out of it. How could anyone be so dirty and not want a bath? That's really gross. Then, he got made fun of for being clean. Again that's really gross. Next, in chapter eleven, Kira went to Annabella like normal and told her about how she could hear a beast growling. Annabella swears that there is no beast and that it was just a human stalking her. After talking to Thomas about whether beasts were real or not there wasn't any real evidence that beasts do exist. That's confusing to me because Kira's dad was taken and killed by beasts but the elders with 4 syllables know everything there is to be and Annabella says there is no such thing. I just wanna know whether they are real or not.
B Abramowich
1/10/2015 03:45:10 am
I have to admit that I am starting to get into this book a little bit more myself. I just finished reading next week's section, and the plot definitely picks up with some intrigue and drama. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad? What about these mysterious beasts? No, we don't get that answer right away, but we do get some new information with a few surprises.
Michelle
1/13/2015 11:32:48 am
Ugh this book. I'm glad Thomas is deciding to help Kira help the little girl. How awful of them to lock a tyke up like that! Uh this community. Things are getting suspicious now. Were these people selected as tykes to have these special items such as singing, the cloth and piece of wood so they would be put to use in the Eddifice? Strange isn't it that they were all orphaned? I sense a conspiracy.
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:35:04 am
Remember how frustrating The Giver community was with all of their restrictions and rules?
Michelle
1/19/2015 04:24:31 am
Yeah but this, this is just cruel. Ugh.
Blake
1/14/2015 04:06:42 am
I was starting to get frustrated with everything going on in this book and how corrupted the community sounds. I am starting to think that the community has made them a orphan by force and not by nature. But I am happy Thomas is helping Kira with the tyke locked up. It makes me sick how they could do that.
Aj
1/16/2015 05:21:57 am
Sick doesn't even begin to describe the feeling. O_o
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:38:09 am
There is definitely more of an undercurrent of evil in this section, and the luxury of the surroundings now seems corrupted with the introduction of Jo, doesn't it? Everything is not all peaceful and safe as it seemed.
Carri
1/15/2015 05:38:11 am
I think it is so cruel how they lockup tykes with these special gifts such a the girl who sings. This community seems to be more and more cruel everyday. Luckily Thomas and Kira are there to help tyke named Jo. The book to me still is very boring but it shows how some characters care to help change the community.
Chelsey K.
1/15/2015 08:19:50 am
1. Noooooooooo!!!! They killed Annabella!!!!
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:40:41 am
Chelsey, you crack me up! Remember that Thomas said that he was treated that way when he was younger? It is a definite pattern that Kira probably missed because she was older.
Destiny
1/15/2015 09:24:13 am
I'm really starting to enjoy it a lot more. It's getting more interesting and also has more events happeneing. What I want to know is how in the world did Annabella die. Honestly it seems so mysterious. I'm also wondering why Jo is locked up downstairs. It's quite saddening.
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:41:10 am
Several mysterious deaths, right??
Aj
1/16/2015 05:20:22 am
Ok this book is really getting interesting. I think it is quite the coincidence that Kira said that Annabelle said there was no beast and then shortly after she dies. I wonder if the singer is actually getting their song from the tyke, Jo. That's really cruel how they are treating her and I really hope that Kira and Thomas can rescue her.
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:42:27 am
Yes -- WHO is writing this history? Something to think about in all societies I guess. Who decides what we remember and learn about? Whose version of events gets published?
Chris Nurse
1/16/2015 12:43:39 pm
This week, our class read chapters 12-15 of "Gathering Blue." I am really enjoying this book. However, it is a bit slower than it's predecessor, "The Giver." I am curious to find out why Annabelle died, as well if the beasts are real. I find it awfully coincidental (*wink* *wink*) that Annabelle dies just as she tells Kira that there are no beasts. Furthermore, I think that the community purposely orphans kids with special talents, to obtain them for the communities own ideas.
Alexandra
1/16/2015 02:52:15 pm
Gathering blue is slowly gaining my interest. Ok since there is no beast then what did Annabel die from. Also I kind of think the town leaders killed Annabel because she knew something it could just be there is no beast but I get the feeling it is more than that.
Meredith
1/17/2015 10:50:25 am
After reading Gathering Blue this week I have some suspicions. Such as that I've noticed that whenever people seem to know too much they have been locked away or killed like the little girl, Jo, or Annabella. I've also noticed that Jameson was acting very suspicious when Kira was questioning him. This led to me questioning, "Are the people with authority hiding things away from the people?" Another thing I noticed was that all the gifted children were orphans and I didn't find this being a coincidence.
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:44:54 am
A common thread in the two books seems to be that people in authority hide the truth from the citizens, right? This might be another theme we could relate to real life -- what do our authority figures hide from us? I think this series is going to turn me into a conspiracy theorist! ha!
Michelle
1/19/2015 04:27:28 am
Whoa. We are gifted. How do you think all of us would be treated f we were in some messed up place like that *shudders* I don't even wanna think about it.
Tyler the Conquistador
1/17/2015 12:01:56 pm
This week in gathering blue Kira, Matt, and Thomas discovered a girl named Joe who was held by the guardians after her parents died although she doesnt know that they are dead. Anabella died and Kira talked to Thomas about their gifts.
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:47:29 am
Whilst? :-) This is good, but remember that you don't have to do all sections like your independent reading response. I just want more than a plot summary. You can write about anything else that you want -- connections, comments, predictions. You don't have to cover them all! This response is a little more relaxed than the other one and more of a conversation with your classmates.
Hazel
1/17/2015 03:14:45 pm
I can't believe that Annabella died. She was probably killed by the town leaders or whatever they are called. The community didn't seem so cruel in the beginning, but seeing how they lock people up and kill them its quite shocking. The book is now slowly becoming more interesting I just want to get it done and over with to find out what happens.
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:49:47 am
At first everything seemed very primitive and unorganized, but then we got this more modern apartment and facility and this government that seemed peaceful but now not so much. The book has several contradictions that are hard to put together.
Ethan
1/17/2015 03:39:22 pm
I don't think Annabella died of natural causes. I believe she was killed because she said there was no such things as beasts and Jamison seemed very intrigued when Kira told him that. He probably killed her because she said something that she wasn't supposed to say about the Beasts. Jamison also acted suspicious when Kira questioned him about the Beasts. It's also very interesting how all the people who have special talents are orphans and have and type of like spirit object
B Abramowich
1/18/2015 06:53:13 am
Nice job this week! It is fun to read all of the responses if you are not doing so already.
Chris Nurse
1/22/2015 02:23:08 am
This week, I have read chapters 16-19 of the book, "Gathering Blue." In it, the Gathering has just begun, but Matt is nowhere to be seen. According to his family he has gone to "find blue." I believe that he is going to find a plant for the dye, blue. Kira and Thomas will go to find him, uncover some giant secret, and evade death, as that's what normally happens in books. I am really enjoying this book. However, I wish ot would go a little faster, I am getting a little bored.
Sadie
1/22/2015 05:35:07 am
16-119
B Abramowich
1/25/2015 03:37:10 am
The hyphen and Matt's dialect were both excellent!
Blake
1/22/2015 12:20:40 pm
This week I have kinda been getting bored and waiting for the gathering of blue. I think it is coming up in the next few chapters. All the missing of Thomas to talks of the word blue is giving me the idea blue is coming close. Since it is a very close plot line to the giver I think it will end in an escape or some other crazy fashion like it. Just like in Gathering blue there is no blue as in the giver everything was black and white. So I'm thinking if she leaves memory's and more blue will be found around the town.
B Abramowich
1/25/2015 03:38:42 am
Matt is missing--not Thomas. We shall see what happens!
Aj
1/22/2015 09:34:55 pm
During this week of Gathering Blue, I honestly think it was pretty predictable. Matt's actions were kinda expected because I think he really thinks of Kira and Thomas as siblings and looks up to them. The tyke Jo I think that Lowlry will have her play an important role when Kira distrupts the society. The only think I guess I thought was surprising is that Matt's "mom" smacks her own son till he wants to leave home and never come back. That's is horrible end of discussion.
B Abramowich
1/25/2015 03:39:46 am
I thought there were some surprises in the last four chapters, so I'm anxious to see if you keep figuring it out.
Aj
1/25/2015 09:25:21 am
I feel like it's like one of those cheesy horror movies where you know what's going to happen yet your still anxious about that action..... Like the Haunting in Conneticut 2
Chelsey K.
1/23/2015 03:57:10 am
Where exactly did Matt go to? I know that he went to "gather blue" for Kira, but where exactly is is the place that has blue? The Gathering has begun and the Singer has started to sing the song he practiced. Kira and Thomas are currently sitting in the front row of the Gathering and are trying to think of a plan to find Matt and help Jo.
Carri
1/23/2015 04:06:44 am
now in this book gathering blue the gathering has begun yet Matt seems to be no where in sight. Matt seems to be off to find the plant that dyes the color blue I think so soon someone most likly Tomas and Kira are going to go look for him. I believe that Thomas, Kira,and Matt are going to find the plant that make blue and make or do something with it. This could change their community forever if they find it.
Destiny
1/23/2015 01:18:34 pm
I honestly can't stand the fact that matts mom hit him. Honestly I agree with Aj with how matts actions were pretty predictable. He really cares about Kira and is really starting to care about Thomas too. I am really starting to get into this book. It's pretty interesting. I love how Jo is so little but understands a lot and also, she is starting to play a bigger role than she was and I really like that.
Michelle
1/24/2015 02:44:46 am
I'm not happy stopping at the end of nineteen. I want to read further and I probably will. The book is FINALLY getting somewhere and now there seems to be some sort of real conflict. Matt is still missing- I wonder how he even knew where to start looking for blue. I won
Jonathan aka The Thing
1/24/2015 12:38:51 pm
Gathering Blue has definitely picked up pace ever since chapter 16. With Matt missing and the Singer's procession just beginning, I'm tempted to read ahead after this blog. The ending to Gathering Blue is most likely not going to entail Kira leaving the village and watch as memories of the past fade into the village. The only thing gripping is whether or not Matt comes back the flower needed for blue dye.
B Abramowich
1/25/2015 03:41:48 am
Oh, there are a few other surprises.
Aj
1/25/2015 09:28:38 am
Called it.
Alexandra
1/24/2015 03:07:19 pm
Gathering blue was inter siting this week. I liked how we where able to see how the fin was. What it looked like I liked the vivid language and how it went in detail about what the fin looked like. I predict that Thomas and Kira are going to go after Matt. Also they will find blue.
Kari
1/24/2015 03:33:59 pm
I think Gathering Blue is getting a lot better. Until chapter 12 ish was really boring and the book couldn't catch my interest but now everything is being explained and it all comes together and makes sense. Since Matt is still missing while looking for the blue. I think that the book will end with Kira and Thomas leaving to search for him because they have all bonded so much together.
Meredith
1/24/2015 03:36:36 pm
This week after reading Gathering Blue, I as usual have many questions to ask. Such as, "why is Matt going on the extended trip to find the blue?" This also led me to question whether or not he is safe since he's been missing for many days. The story also mentioned a mysterious scraping noise so I'm also curious on what that noise will turn out to be.
Ethan
1/24/2015 04:16:20 pm
It's finally starting to get interesting. Matt has disappeared and I wonder if it's because Jamison took him or he really did go on a journey. I also wonder what that scraping noise is that they are hearing at the Gathering. Plus I'm surprised that they brought Jo on stage after keeping her locked away.
B Abramowich
1/25/2015 03:53:58 am
For me, this book was very slow and then flew through the last 5-6 chapters like a drop on a roller coaster! However, it really had to build up the background with Kira's village and how things operated. We have to completely understand the different worlds as they start to come together. I really liked the ending and how everything is starting to connect.
Sadie
1/27/2015 10:27:00 am
19-23
Blake
1/28/2015 01:40:42 am
At the beginning when they were still in their room I was kinda sad that she didn't see Matt. I was excited to see Matt sneak in and surprise Kira in that way. Matt found blue. I've been waiting for this the whole book. The only thing I was disappointed about was the cliffhanger. I want to know what happens after she leaves. I cri evry tim :'(
Carri
1/28/2015 01:53:41 am
Now in these last chapters the gathering started and while it was going on Kira thought she saw a shadow. It was Matt and she was so happy to see him. Matt ended up finding blue. The chapter leaves off with Kira leaving and has us guessing for what could come next in the next book. I personally still thought this book was really boring.
Chelsey K.
1/28/2015 07:12:41 am
SPOILER WARNING!!!!!
Chris Nurse
1/29/2015 08:27:09 am
This week, I have read the last few chapters to the book, "Gathering Blue." In the last parts of the book, several important things happen. One event is that it is revealed that Kira's dad, Christopher, is not dead, and that he is alive and well. I personally saw this coming, as it is a common event in books for dead to come back to life. I am a little disappointed that it's over, but this means we can start on the next book, yaaaaaay. Anyway, I thought that Kira would have gone on some epic quest to find the blue plant.
Aj
1/30/2015 05:03:51 am
my jimmies have officially been rustled. O_o and am extremely shocked about her happened, I think it's really sad that her father didn't know about his daughter very much let alone about her leg. I am extremely shocked that Matt found Kira's dad when he went to go find Blue. I'm really curious (thank you mrs. Abramowich) about Matt's exact adventures. It's shocking that he is blind and that Jamison was the one who took out his eyes I did it expect that. Kira's father knows a lot about the village and I am extremely shocked about what happened to him. It is horrible about the people being prisoners and I am really appealed about the singers feet. I really really had hopped Kira had gone with her father but it is brave of her to help these people though she may be in shackles for the rest of her life.
Aj
1/30/2015 05:05:28 am
Appalled not appealed
Nahtanoj
1/31/2015 12:52:46 pm
The first sentence of your response made my hour.
Destiny
1/30/2015 08:52:12 am
WHAT IN THE WORLD! I guessed it was going to be somewhat like this but ahhh! Omg. I literally don't know what i think about this book right now.
Ëthåñ
1/31/2015 07:08:08 am
I hate the cliff hangers at the end of these books¡¡¡¡ I have so many questions that are unanswered. How did Matt know that was Kira's father¿ What's with the chains on the Singers feet¿ Is Kira and Jo and Thomas prisoners¿ I hope these are answered in the next book.
Jönäthän
1/31/2015 12:51:44 pm
A message to Lois Lowry: you can not do that to a honest reader, leaving cliff hangers in such a blatant fashion, especially to those who have to wait a year to read the next book. The death of Annabelle could have also been explained too.
Kari
1/31/2015 03:03:09 pm
So it turns out that Kira's father is alive but after getting into the book and the plot actually picking up the pace I cant believe it ended here. I think Lois Lowry ends with cliff hangers just so she makes it makes the reader twice as anxious to read the next book in the series. Please stop with the cliffhangers 😭.
Meredith
1/31/2015 03:08:06 pm
So after reading Gathering Blue this week I am happily at ease with how the story ended. I thought for sure though that Kira would end up going back to the village with her father. I was also happy to conclude that one of my guesses came true that the council members had something to do with the issue of the disappearance of the "gifted" children's parents. Although I question why Kira chose to stay living under the watch of the man that tried to kill her father. Much happier about this ending though and the fact it didn't end in a cliff hanger.
Alexandra
1/31/2015 03:17:04 pm
Now that we have finished the book I think I liked it. It definitely was not the best book I have read but it was okay. I did't predict Kira's dad would come back into Kira's life but I knew he was not killed by beast because of what Annabel said. I was really worried that matt was dead, good thing he's not. I want to read the next one but I am not really excited, Comments are closed.
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