MARVELOUS MIDDLE
GRADE MONDAY
Gossamer
by Lois Lowry
After reading “Gossamer,” I’m back to loving Lois Lowry’s
books. This is a middle grade novel that is imaginative and heartfelt, but also
quite exciting. The story is about dream givers, beings that aren’t human, but
are kind, caring, and essential to our well-being. They watch over us at night
and give us good dreams. They also fight the Sinisteeds—horrible creatures who
give us nightmares. I love the way the dream givers are presented in the story.
It’s a fanciful idea and yet on some days seems totally plausible.
In the story, an older woman—a Grandmother type—takes in
foster children. She receives John, who has suffered a lot in his eight years.
His abusive father broke his mother’s spirit. She fell into a downward cycle
and lost John to Social Services. Then he’s placed with the foster grandmother
and she is able to help heal him, with the help of her dog Toby and dream
givers, Littlest One and her mentor, Thin Elderly. As a moving and exciting
human interest story, it’s very satisfying in all respects. It’s also a coming
of age story for Littlest One.
“Gossamer” can spark discussions between parent and child,
teacher and students. Since life isn’t perfect, they can talk about how we cope
with life’s ups and downs, life’s painful and disappointing moments. Also, how
do you help someone who is hurt and damaged? This book is highly recommended
for readers age 8-12 years old.
More information about Lois Lowry is at www.loislowry.com
Tags:
Lois Lowry, Gossamer, middle grade novel, children's books, hurt, pain, healing, foster kids, John, Toby, Littlest One, Thin Elderly, dreams, dream givers, nightmares, sinisteeds
it sounds like an interesting and unusual book. Thank you for sharing another enjoyable review, Penny!
ReplyDeleteHi Connie, thanks so much for your support. I hadn't heard of this book, but checked it out from the online library and am so glad I did. I could hardly put it down and it ended all too soon for me. I would have enjoyed an even longer book. Still, it's a great book for kids.
DeleteI've never read this one. Thank You!
DeleteHi Susan, You'll enjoy it. It's perfect, just too short, sigh. Thanks for commenting.
DeletePenny