Messenger by Lois Lowry

This is the third book in the series that began with The Giver.  In this book the little boy from the second book, Matty, has grown up and is now a teen living with Kira's father in The Village.   The Village used to be  a place of refuge for outcasts from other communities, but things have begun to change.  Some of the residents have become more materialistic and selfish, and threaten to close the boarders.  The forest reflects the changes in the community, and has become more menacing and dangerous. Kira's father, The Seer, asks Matty to travel back to his old home and bring his daughter, Kira back to him.  They both understand that it might be the last chance for them to be reunited.

I really liked The Giver, and I liked Gathering Blue, but this book just doesn't hang together well.  There are things that happen that are not really explained and I finished the book feeling rather unsatisfied.  I have heard that Ms Lowry is coming out with another in the series this fall, even though this book came out clear back in 2004.  I hope it will tie up and explain some of the loose ends. (169 p.)