Another Lois Lowry favorite and the second is The Giver series. Kira is left all alone after the death of her mother and with no father since he abandoned them, she has to find the means to survive on her own. With a twisted leg, she knows she has to be productive or she will be dragged out to the field, where the beasts await and her fate is unknown. Called by the Council of Guardians, she is confronted by Vandara who wants the land that her mother and her once lived upon, and Kira must fight to hold onto it. Vandara’s sharp accusations startles Kira and she finally asks the Guardians for council and is appointed Jamison. Jamison goes through all the accusations one by one and it is not until he brings forth the Singer’s Robe did Kira realize her true worth. Kira’s mother had mended the robe yearly while Kira intently watched. This special robe is used yearly and Kira had been learning this skill from her mother and this talent saves her from Vandara’s grip and earns her a room in the Edifice with other special individuals. Kira thinks life is good as she does not have to worry about food, shelter and all she needs to do is tend to the robe but is that really what Kira wants. Innocence of a child and the simplity of this society is what I enjoy about this novel but as you read along, it’s not as simple as it seems. The characters grow and find their true selves and they help others along the way. Kira realizes that she is not the handicapped child that she thinks she is and that she is one strong little girl.
