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?

Chapter 6

After reading this, I have a lot to think about. One is why some people would want to close Village. What is it that makes them think the outsiders are dangerous? I'm also wondering about the Trade Mart. What is the secret about it? If Matty goes, he'll probably be very tempted to trade something, even though Seer said not to. I think that it's possible that Matty could be able to "trade" his power, but how?

Chapters 7 & 8

These two chapters surprised me. I don't know how you would trade your "deepest self"; it's like trading away your heart, or your mind. I don't really understand what someone's deepest self is - is it your personality? Your thoughts? Your beliefs? I'm not sure, but it's bound to change you completely. At first, I didn't think Leader would be mentioned that much, but now I can tell I'm wrong. When Matty had a problem, he went to Leader (after all, he is the leader). I think Matty will end up having a lot of conversations with Leader. One more thought - what would happen if Matty traded his own deepest self?

Chapters 3 - 5

I just finished reading 3 more chapters (3, 4, 5), and now I'm a little confused. I don't understand what Matty's power is, and I don't think he does yet either. It's like he can give life to other creatures. But where does the power, or life, come from? Is it from his own body or from somewhere else? What happens if Seer finds out? Would he know what it is and why it's happening? Would anyone know? I think that his power will help him a lot, but it may also hurt him. After all, just using it on a frog (now I know why it's different) and two dogs had exhausted him.

Chapters 1 & 2

Before I started reading the book, I read the summary on the back. I'm wondering what it is that has made the people of Village want to close it to outsiders. I'm also wondering what the "secret power" that Matty has is, and how it's going to help.

I just finished chapters 1 and 2. One person that is mentioned is Leader (who I think is Jonas), and I was surprised because I didn't expect Jonas to be in this book. The book says how he arrived on a sled, and Jonas was using one at the end of "The Giver". It also mentions a boy named Gabe, who is the newchild he had rescued. I don't think Jonas will have a big role in this book, but I can't wait to find out about what kind of role he does have. Another thing I'm wondering about is the frog Matty found. It's probably not a normal frog, but I'm not sure what's special about it. I hope I'll know soon!