Gathering Blue

Written by: Lois Lowry

First line: "Mother?"

Why you should read this book: The companion novel to the Newbery-winning The Giver, this is a new and different story of another gifted child in another troubled community. Kira's world is a primitive one, and as an unprotected and disabled orphan, she's at risk of being turned out and eaten by wild animals, until the Council recognizes her remarkable ability to use color and embroider fabric. Now she sees another side of her post-apocalyptic world, and must decide what to believe: the ones who control information, or what her own experience has showed her.

Why you shouldn't read this book: If the government is lying to you, you're sure it's for a good reason, and you would never question those lies.