Chapters 18 & 19

Will Leader's and Kira's gifts be able to meet? Will they be able to save each other? I think that this is the time for Matty to use his gift. He might be able to bring life back to the forest, life that is kind and peaceful. I'm not sure if Leader will have enough strength to do it, though. I'm also wondering what Seer would think if he knew just how much danger they were in. He would probably be extremely upset, and also very irritated that he wouldn't be able to help  them. I hope that Matty, Kira, and Leader can save each other and make it back to Village. Maybe they'll even save Forest and return to the life before everything became dark and dangerous.

Chapter 17

Kira and Matty both will try for as long as possible, but they will eventually come to a point where they can't take it anymore. Kira's feet have cuts, and Matty's arms are swollen and hurt; they're both very weak now, and they won't be able to take much more. Will Matty's gift be able to help them get back? Since Leader has come to help them, will he be hurt as well? If Seer knows that Leader had to go help Matty and Kira, won't he realize that they're in trouble?

Chapter 16

I think that Kira will make it more easily from now on, but it will get more difficult for Matty. The branches probably were poking Kira on purpose, but not as hard as they could. Will Matty's arms be okay? If they aren't, will they be able to make it back to Village? Why did Forest decide to attack Matty instead - did it realize that he was the leader? If they haven't gotten to the worst part yet, how bad will it get? Also, if Seer figures out that Matty's in trouble, how will he react? Will he try to help them?

Chapters 14 & 15

I was surprised that Kira had believed in Matty's gift so quickly. She probably didn't want to be healed because then she wouldn't be completely herself. Why would Forest want to destroy them, as Leader said? What had changed Forest? Was it because of the Trade Mart or did the Trade Mart change because of it? I think that Matty and Kira will have a very hard time getting back to Village, but they will make it.

Chapters 20 & 21

I don't usually like books that have sad endings, but this one's not too bad. Lois Lowry makes readers feel that although it's upsetting that Matty died, his life was very important and he made a big difference. I like how these last two chapters were very detailed; they cause many different emotions all at the same time. Also, it was written so that it didn't seem like Matty just died, it was more like his soul rose up so that he could enjoy and remember his life one more time before he really gave himself up to his gift. He forced all his power into the earth, he tried his best, and he did it. He saved his friends, family, Village, and probably many other communities as well. He used his gift very well.

Chapters 12 & 13

I now know that Forest is being taken over by something both dangerous and mysterious. It is slowly hurting Matty; when will it get to the point that he can't take it anymore? Also, will Matty be allowed back into Forest? Matty has found Kira happy and lighthearted. How will she feel when Matty tells her she must leave her home and follow him back through Forest? Also, will Matty tell Kira about his gift? Will she understand it?

Chapters 9 - 11

I don't know how Trademaster is doing it, but he's changing people. Mentor, who used to be kind and generous, is now closed and selfish. I don't understand why they would want to close Village. I understand that it's because of Trade Mart, but why is closing Village important? I hope that Matty is able to go through Forest and find Kira. I think that although Matty was always welcome in Forest before, he won't be this time. I wonder what Kira's gift is. Will it be helpful in getting through Forest?