Gossamer
on Goodreads (17,532)
What’s inside...
Where do dreams come from? What stealthy nighttime messengers are the guardians of our most deeply hidden hopes and our half-forgotten fears? Drawing on her rich imagination, two-time Newbery winner Lois Lowry confronts these questions and explores the conflicts between the gentle bits and pieces of the past that come to life in dream, and the darker horrors that find their form in nightmare. In a haunting story that tiptoes between reality and imagination, two people—a lonely, sensitive woman and a damaged, angry boy—face their own histories and discover what they can be to one another, renewed by the strength that comes from a tiny, caring creature they will never see. Gossamer is perfect for readers not quite ready for Lois Lowry's Newbery-Award winner The Giver and also for readers interested in dreams, nightmares, spirits and the dream world.
Age
9-12
Length
144 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Littlest One
John
Thin Elderly
Old Woman
Most Ancient
Fastidious
Discussion points
How do you think the little boy felt when he experienced the nightmares? What would you do if you were in his situation?
Why do you think the dream-givers, like Gossamer, are so gentle with their work?
What does the story tell us about the power of dreams and how they can affect our feelings and actions?
Can you imagine what one of your dreams would look like if it were created by a dream-giver like in the book?
What do you think is the most important lesson from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they relate to the characters' emotions and experiences, deepening their understanding of the narrative.
Highlight the imaginative aspects of the book by discussing with your child how dreams might influence daily life and personal feelings.
Utilize the book’s themes to discuss any fears or nightmares your child may have, providing reassurance and coping strategies discussed in the narrative.
Prompt your child to think critically about the story by asking what they would change about the characters’ actions or the story’s outcome and why.
Encourage drawing or writing as a follow-up activity, asking your child to create their own gentle dream-giver character or to imagine and describe a dream they would like to have.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Gossamer', the character Littlest One learns how to bestow dreams by touching items to gather fragments of memories, which highlights the importance of delicacy and care in interactions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to be considerate and thoughtful towards others' feelings and experiences, promoting understanding and empathy in real-life relations.
Example Lesson: The Power of Kindness
Explanation: The story highlights how gentle dreams can help soothe and heal, as seen when Littlest One helps the old woman and the angry boy find peace in their sleep.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that acts of kindness, no matter how small, can have a profound effect on others' lives, encouraging them to practice kindness daily.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: Characters in the book face emotional and physical challenges, yet they find strength and comfort through positive memories and dreams.
Real-World Application: Children learn that resilience is key to overcoming difficulties and that they can draw on happy memories and hopeful thoughts during tough times.
Example Lesson: Importance of Memories
Explanation: Littlest One’s process of collecting memory fragments to weave into dreams underscores the value of memories in shaping our lives and guiding our behaviors.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to cherish and learn from both good and bad memories, understanding that they contribute significantly to personal growth and identity.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The creation of dreams from fragments of things around the house demonstrates the limitless possibilities of imagination.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use their creativity to think outside the box, solve problems, and express themselves through various forms of art and storytelling.