Son by Lois Lowry

The conclusion of the Giver Quartet, Son by Lois Lowry (Lexile: 720; Interest Level: Grades 6-8) tells the stories of Clare, or Water Clare as she was known in the community where she washed ashore.  Clare doesn't remember who she is at first, but then memories begin to return of a world without color or choices.  In her former community, she had been chosen at age 12 to become a birth mother, had carried and given birth to a child when she was 14, and then had her child taken from her.  She knew she had a son, and she became determined to find him, no matter what the cost.  Could she take a huge risk to go looking, and leave everything she knew?  Could she even survive the risk?

This story does provide some closure and continuity with the other three books, and it poses some real questions about what choices we may make and what risks are worth taking if something is truly important.  It may even make us question if the risks are worth the rewards. (393 pages)

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