On Laurel's fourteenth birthday, she receives a seemingly impossible letter from her mother...because her mother is dead. Not long after, Laurel becomes interested in the "language" of flowers--in the way that different flowers can send different messages. To her shock, she discovers that her flowers are actually effective in bringing about what she wants them to, and soon Laurel has her hands full juggling bouquet requests from classmates who may or may not be her friends, working out her feelings for a boy, and unraveling the Flowerspeaker secret that generations of women in her family have possessed.
Amy Brecount White's debut novel is a surprisingly charming magical realism middle-grade novel that sweetly combines magic, romance, and teen drama into something that will be well enjoyed by young girls who enjoy a combination of Harry Potter and Twilight.
Despite the occasionally annoying teen speak (draaawwwn out syllables, luv instead of "love," lots of seemingly life-or-death ultimatums), FORGET-HER-NOTS is actually very well written for its intended audience. Right from the start, White draws us in with her thorough and fascinating knowledge about the language of flowers. Laurel, despite being a typically lonely and insecure teenage girl, never drops into the land of annoying protagonists. She is sweet and vulnerable, yet determined to master her gift and to help everyone out.
FORGET-HER-NOTS focuses mostly on Laurel's struggles to establish lasting relationships with the people around her, and it is well done. The girls whom Laurel befriends have their good and bad points; the tension between Laurel and her politician widower father are believable, despite the fact that Laurel believes their fights come about due to the influence of the flowers. I appreciated that the magical elements of this novel were never used to excuse the characters' up-and-down behaviors--for, indeed, they were realistic, and readers will be able to relate to Laurel's mixed feelings about the people around her.
Despite a slow plot and occasional underdeveloped supporting characters, FORGET-HER-NOTS will be a treat especially for middle school girls who will find White's narration relatable and the magical realism elements irresistible.
Amy Brecount White's debut novel is a surprisingly charming magical realism middle-grade novel that sweetly combines magic, romance, and teen drama into something that will be well enjoyed by young girls who enjoy a combination of Harry Potter and Twilight.
Despite the occasionally annoying teen speak (draaawwwn out syllables, luv instead of "love," lots of seemingly life-or-death ultimatums), FORGET-HER-NOTS is actually very well written for its intended audience. Right from the start, White draws us in with her thorough and fascinating knowledge about the language of flowers. Laurel, despite being a typically lonely and insecure teenage girl, never drops into the land of annoying protagonists. She is sweet and vulnerable, yet determined to master her gift and to help everyone out.
FORGET-HER-NOTS focuses mostly on Laurel's struggles to establish lasting relationships with the people around her, and it is well done. The girls whom Laurel befriends have their good and bad points; the tension between Laurel and her politician widower father are believable, despite the fact that Laurel believes their fights come about due to the influence of the flowers. I appreciated that the magical elements of this novel were never used to excuse the characters' up-and-down behaviors--for, indeed, they were realistic, and readers will be able to relate to Laurel's mixed feelings about the people around her.
Despite a slow plot and occasional underdeveloped supporting characters, FORGET-HER-NOTS will be a treat especially for middle school girls who will find White's narration relatable and the magical realism elements irresistible.
Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com
Laurel is starting over at a new school after her mom's death. She's attending her mom's alma mater, Avondale Prep School, and she's finding that the school holds more and more keys to her past.
It all starts with a speech on the language of flowers in her English class. When Laurel gives the bouquet she made to her English teacher and soon after Ms. Spenser finds love, Laurel starts to discover she has a gift with flowers. When rumors start to fly about Laurel's gift, all the girls want them, especially before prom.
Being a matchmaker isn't easy, and Laurel has a lot to discover about the language of flowers.
FORGET-HER-NOTS is a light, refreshing read. It incorporates magic without being over the top, and I finished the book believing in the language of flowers. I know I won't be looking at flowers the same way!
The story takes a bit to pick up, but once it does, it's a fun read. Laurel and her friends are fun to read about - Avondale Prep School sounds like such a fun place, I wish I could visit. Some of the characters weren't completely fleshed out - I had a hard time keeping track of the numerous girls that were mentioned. But Laurel and her teachers were great to read about, and I loved that Laurel got along with her teachers and had great relationships with them.
FORGET-HER-NOTS does a great job of giving a nod to classics such as ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and THE SECRET GARDEN. This story has the same warm fuzzy feel of those books, and Laurel is definitely a kindred spirit.
Laurel is starting over at a new school after her mom's death. She's attending her mom's alma mater, Avondale Prep School, and she's finding that the school holds more and more keys to her past.
It all starts with a speech on the language of flowers in her English class. When Laurel gives the bouquet she made to her English teacher and soon after Ms. Spenser finds love, Laurel starts to discover she has a gift with flowers. When rumors start to fly about Laurel's gift, all the girls want them, especially before prom.
Being a matchmaker isn't easy, and Laurel has a lot to discover about the language of flowers.
FORGET-HER-NOTS is a light, refreshing read. It incorporates magic without being over the top, and I finished the book believing in the language of flowers. I know I won't be looking at flowers the same way!
The story takes a bit to pick up, but once it does, it's a fun read. Laurel and her friends are fun to read about - Avondale Prep School sounds like such a fun place, I wish I could visit. Some of the characters weren't completely fleshed out - I had a hard time keeping track of the numerous girls that were mentioned. But Laurel and her teachers were great to read about, and I loved that Laurel got along with her teachers and had great relationships with them.
FORGET-HER-NOTS does a great job of giving a nod to classics such as ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and THE SECRET GARDEN. This story has the same warm fuzzy feel of those books, and Laurel is definitely a kindred spirit.
Wow. From the description I thought this book was going to be too out there for me - boy was I wrong, dead wrong. I purchased because she was going to be coming to my local indie bookstore and I had seen earlier that her signings were eventful with flowers and more than your normal author visit. I am more than glad that I grabbed this one.
A young girl who has recently lost her mom and is now trying to figure out where she goes from there. I will not spoil this one because I want everyone to stop what they are doing and go grab this one. Throughout this book, she is learning the language of flowers and just for that reason this book is whimsical and romantic. I definitely know what flowers I want included in my bridal bouquet and what ones to send to my mom to make her feel loved.
A book for young and old, mothers and daughters - each will enjoy this read for a different and unique reason. I will be passing this one off to my mom. A short and sweet review for a short and sweet book.
Check out the blog tomorrow for my visit to One More Page to see Amy Brecount White and her tussie-mussies.
A young girl who has recently lost her mom and is now trying to figure out where she goes from there. I will not spoil this one because I want everyone to stop what they are doing and go grab this one. Throughout this book, she is learning the language of flowers and just for that reason this book is whimsical and romantic. I definitely know what flowers I want included in my bridal bouquet and what ones to send to my mom to make her feel loved.
A book for young and old, mothers and daughters - each will enjoy this read for a different and unique reason. I will be passing this one off to my mom. A short and sweet review for a short and sweet book.
Check out the blog tomorrow for my visit to One More Page to see Amy Brecount White and her tussie-mussies.
