Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

So it appears we're going out of order on the series, but Gathering Blue is the second installment in the world begun with The Giver. While readers follow Kira as she struggles in a cruel world with a twisted leg, and her few friends (Matt is one of them, whom The Messenger follows). This book begins with Kira watching her mother's spirit slowly leave her body after death in the dying fields, and return to a burned home with a mean-spirited woman trying to take the land away from her and have her sentenced to death for being disabled. Readers will enjoy watching Kira grow into a woman in a few short months, and find the courage to change the world.

What I liked most about this book is the new perspective. With Jonas and Matty both we enter into the world of adolescent boys. Kira has both a woman's perspective, and challenges that both boys and girls can relate to. The girl's perspective is well balanced by her friends, Matt (a one syllable tyke who's always getting into mischief), and Thomas (another orphan who is an extraordinary "artist") who give a voice to the "world of men" as seen from the eyes of boys in Lowry's furturistic vision.

The Messenger by Lois Lowry

This story continues in the world begun with The Giver, and Gathering Blue. Here we follow Matty living in Village who is unafraid of Forrest. Forrest has swallowed other travelers who have attempted to leave Village, but Matty is unafraid - it has never bothered him. Until now. But Matty has a secret - a gift. Will it be enough to escape Forrest before Village closes?

What I loved most about this book is how real the characters feel. You can follow Matty as he begins to see a girl with newly discovered romantic interest, or as he emerges into adulthood and begins to relate to adults in his world rather than just being bored by their world. The only thing I didn't like about this book was how I wanted to cry at the end - but it really was a wonderful ending, nonetheless.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline is a story about a young girl who believes she lives a very boring and dull life in the new home her parents have moved to, but she inadvertently gets pulled into a strange world and must fight to escape, and save her soul! She also finds three others trapped as well, and enlists their help to save everyone.

This marvelous book has also been made into a movie, although it may look suitable for younger audiences, the content and imagery is better suited for older children and young adults.

There are also multiple editions of this story - regular book, audiobook, graphic novel, and movie.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Nobody Owens is raised in a graveyard by his ghostly parents, and caretaker, after his “first family” dies in a terrible tragedy. But Bod, as he’s called, shows us that it really takes a graveyard to raise a boy.

Follow this boys adventures from young child learning how to Fade, learning to read from grave stones, and history lessons from those who were actually there. But everyone must grow up some day.

What I loved most about this book was the different perspective I saw of how life after death can be, and how the living can and can't interact with the dead. Neil Gaiman has done it again!

Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman

A picture book, in the same style as Dr. Seuss’s book Oh, The Places You’ll Go, shows us a prayers of parents towards their soon to be born daughter. The imagery in both illustrations and word choice gives a heartfelt connection for all parents reading this wonderful book.

What I enjoyed most about this book was how it reminded me of my daughter, and what I wish for her life. It also reminded me of my parents and how they still take care of me today, and the wishes they have for me into adulthood. This book is a gem for young and old alike.