Book Review: Son

Well, I am finally getting around to reviewing the fourth and final book of Lois Lowry's Giver quartet. I bought this book last fall on the day it came out. I was so excited! Fortunately, it did not let me down, and I am happy to provide a very positive review.

Son, by Lois Lowry, is the final culmination of the Giver series. You may read my other reviews by clicking on these links: Book One: The Giver, Book Two: Gathering Blue, and Book Three: Messenger.

I always find it tough to review books that are later on in a series because I don't want to give any important information away to people who may be interested in reading the books but haven't yet. Bear with me. 

Son tells the story of Claire, who is from the same town as Jonas from the first book. She had a son years ago, yet she has never met him. Those who have read The Giver can assume who Claire's son is. This novel tells the gripping story of how Claire chases after her son, how she learns who he is, and her experiences along the way. 

Good and evil make a strong presence throughout each of Lowry's books in this series, and Son is no exception. What is right, and what is wrong? Who should be able to decide that? Is the world "right" just because it's how everyone lives? Can a government have TOO much presence in a society? If you enjoyed the other three books, you should definitely check this one out. Again, Lowry earns five stars out of five in my book. This book was TOUGH to put down. I felt like swallowing it whole, taking in every single scene before I would allow myself to put the book down. Fellow readers, you will enjoy this one! 

Oh, and can I just express my excitement for a moment? I am going to start teaching The Giver, the first book on this quartet, on Monday. My eight graders have been begging to read a "real book" since August, and I think they're finally ready. (Remember: they were ALL reading several grade levels below where they should have been, so this is a big step!) 

Book Review: Messenger

In 2012, I read a lot of books. In fact, I read so many that I never got caught up reviewing them, so I have a big list of books to review from then, as well as a handful that I've already read in 2013. My goal is to become up-to-date soon so I don't have to worry about catching up again. We'll see how that goes.

This review is for a third book. Messenger by Lois Lowry is the third book in a quartet, and I reviewed the first two already and will review the fourth one soon. Check out the review for book one, The Giver, HERE, and book two, Gathering Blue, HERE.

Lowry presents Matty, a character we first met in Gathering Blue as Kira's friend, as the protagonist of Messenger. He has moved on from that area and now lived in the Village under the guidance of Seer, a blind man. Matty helps take care of Seer, just as Seer helps take care of Matty. 

Everyone in the Village has left another place, and they all have something "wrong" with them, whether it is physically apparent or not. Matty learns about someone called the Trader, who is a mystery to most young people in the Village, though curiosity gets the best of him. He soon learns too much and realizes he may have a power he has been unaware of. Jonas, the character from The Giver, is the leader of this community, and he recognizes Matty as an important part of it. 

Matty has to become braver than his age and go on a great adventure. I can't say more without ruining the book for potential readers. All I can say is that Lowry yet again does NOT disappoint. She saw the teenage dystopia trend long before it actually became a trend, and her novels always make me think, even as an adult. This book deserves five stars out of five, in my opinion. If you haven't read any of this quartet, please do so soon. The books are short, but they are powerful.