| | Author: | Lois Lowry | | Reading Level (Conceptual): | Sophisticated readers | | Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up | | Genre: | fiction; dystopian | | Year of publication: | 2004 |
Sequel to Lowry's Gathering Blue, and, some might consider this the third in the dystopian trilogy that started well with, and has coursed relentlessly downhill from, The Giver. The plot is highly derivative of
Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, The Birthmark, with some unpleasant touches and Christian symbolism similar to Zilpha Keatly Snyder's Until the Celebration, but entirely lacks the beauty of the Below the Root books. |
For some reason, our local librarian felt that our ten year old would find this book less intense than The Giver. Maybe so, but it's not interesting, not well written, and not optimistic.
Rather than Messenger, read The Giver or Below the Root. |
Other reviews: Messenger |
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