Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry
PRMS hardcover 137
genre: YA historical fiction

I had to re-read this because it has been two or three DECADES since I last picked it up. A student of mine is playing Annemarie at Stages Theatre this month. It is such a short little book, but covers the changes in Denmark at the start of WWII. The occupation by German soldiers, the scarcity of foodstuffs, the dangers for the Jews, . . . Annemarie and her best friend Ellen are affected by it all.

little sister Kirsti, dead older sister Lise, Lise's fiance Peter, Uncle Henrik, . . . the fishing boats, Norway.

I'm kind of curious to do some research on the Danish resistance, but lack the time.

Now that it's refreshed in my memory, I need to get tickets to see the show!

The Silent Boy

by Lois Lowry
Hennepin County Library audiobook 4 CDs
read by Karen Allen
genre: YA

I don't remember a lot about this story, but recall that it was touching. I read this four years ago; the title was on the sheet with the info for The Time Machine . . .

Messenger

by Lois Lowry
PRMS paperback 169 pages
genre: YA SciFi

What a quick read! I love how it pulled The Giver and Gathering Blue together. I'm a bit disappointed in Lowry, however. The fact that Kira's world had changed so dramatically seems too simplistic. And the change coming over the Trade Mart and the people was never really explored. Matty's sacrifice was cryptic, but that fit with the rest of this intriguing series. Now I wish I had time to go back and re-read the other two. I wonder why Cina dislikes Gathering Blue so much???

Gossamer

by Lois Lowry
CMSW, paperback, 154 pages
Maud Hart Lovelace nominee

Littlest One is a dream-giving creature with lots of curiosity. When she irritates her teacher too much, she is assigned to Thin Elderly. The two of them try to protect the boy John and his elderly caregiver from the Sinisteeds who bring nightmares.

A cute story. Seems to be for a younger reader. It is probably one of the MHL titles on both division lists.