Son made its surprise appearance as the last in a quartet by Lois Lowry. Almost 20 years ago Lowry created a dystopian world in The Giver (1993). The novel grabbed the attention of young and old readers alike. It became a bestseller, earned Lowry the Newbery Medal, and has remained a must- read for middle school students.
Son completes the story that included Gathering Blue (2000) and Messenger (2004). It is divided into three sections: “Before,” “Between,” and “Beyond.” It shares its beginnings with The Giver and continues to intersect the lives of the characters from the previous stories. It is the story of a son’s yearning for his mother and a mother’s sacrificial search for her son.
Lowry brings to a very satisfactory end all the questions she left us with all those many years ago. However, in keeping with the gifted writer that she is, Lowry leaves the true joy of the moment and the future to her readers’ imaginations. Ages 12 and up. (Houghton Mifflin)
About the Author
Jenny deGroot is a freelance media review and news writer for The Banner. She lives on Swallowfield Farm near Fort Langley B.C. with her husband, Dennis. Before retirement she worked as a teacher librarian and assistant principal.