“Gather” by Kenneth M. Cadow is a touching YA book, which was also a finalist for the Printz Award in 2023. “Gather” explores complex themes of identity, family, and loss.
Ian, actually Doria Gray, is a teenage boy who lives with his mother in Vermont. His father abandoned him and his mother a long time ago, and has already started a new family. Unfortunately, that’s not the only problem in Ian’s life. His mother is struggling with a drug addiction and is currently unemployed. Ian’s best friend Drew seems to be on a downward spiral, which is causing him to worry. To make matters worse, Ian and his mother are struggling to pay their numerous bills, which forces Ian to give up his passion for basketball to support his mother financially. One day, Ian meets a stray dog that he names Gather. He takes the dog under his wing and begins to look after him, feeding and caring for him. While taking care of Gather, Ian also meets a girl with whom he develops feelings for. The two of them soon become close and start spending more time together. However, just when Ian’s life seems to be getting better, he suffers a tragic loss that pulls the rug out from under his feet. He seems to have lost everything, but Gather becomes like an anchor for him that he doesn’t want to give up under any circumstances.
“Gather” is beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time. Despite facing numerous challenges at such a young age, including poverty, addiction, and a dysfunctional family, Ian remains steadfast in his commitment to his mother, his home, and his dog. His unwavering sense of responsibility and dedication is truly remarkable and inspiring.
The book is a reminder of the harsh realities that many young people face every day. It highlights the struggles of those who are often overlooked and marginalized in society. The story is both touching and heartbreaking, and it should be recommended to have some tissues by your side.
However, “Gather” is not all sadness and despair. Amidst the struggles and hardships, there are moments of warmth and tenderness that shine through. Ian’s mother, despite her addiction, clearly loves her son deeply and will do anything to protect him. The first romances in the book are portrayed in a very beautiful way.. Ian’s story is one of resilience and perseverance, and he serves as a role model for anyone facing difficult circumstances in their life. The book takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions, with many highs and lows. It is a captivating read that will keep you hooked until the very end, and will leave a lasting impact on anyone who reads it.
I recently finished reading a book that really impressed me. The story is written from the first-person perspective of the main character, which really helped me connect with the story on a deeper level. I was able to see the events unfold through the eyes of the character and feel their emotions as if they were my own.. The first-person perspective really added personality to the story and gave it a unique depth that I haven’t found in many other books.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA and coming of age stories. While it is emotionally heavy, it is also incredibly beautiful and heartwarming. The mix of emotions is what makes the book so fascinating and I found myself thinking about it long after I finished reading it.