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Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

Forget-Her-Nots

by Amy Brecount White

Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Age Group: Young Adult/Middle Grade
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Interest: Debut Author
Challenge: 2010 Debut Author Challenge

When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door,Laurel thinks that maybe the Avondale School isn’t so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out. In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher. When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets don’t always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she’s soon besieged by requests from girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in time for prom.

Forget-Her-Nots introduced me to this whole other world of the language of flowers that I was somewhat aware of, but didn't realize the intensity of the subject. The history behind the language is incredibly fascinating. I loved the hidden meanings behind flowers and how they were used to convey a message when words couldn't be shared privately. I think that was my favorite aspect of the entire novel. And I thought it was brilliant of of Amy Brecount White to incorporate the 'Flowerspeak' dynamic from such a simple element. It's a realistic story with just a little dust of magic, love.

After reading Forget-Her-Nots, I'd say it's geared more toward a middle grade audience then a young adult one. Not that young adult's wouldn't enjoy reading this novel, but it's definitely a novel I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to younger ya readers.

Laurel the main character is supposed to be fourteen years of age, but she seemed a lot younger than that to me... as the reader. I didn't really relate or sympathize with Laurel much either initially, she seemed very whiny, even though most of her problems were because of the lousy choices that she made. I would have liked to seen her say no, perhaps just one time! It seemed like she never grasped that it was her actions causing most of the turmoil. I can say, however, that by the end of the novel, she started to come into her own... personal growth is something I always admire in a character. The other characters felt a little flat for me as, I just didn't get a distinct voice from any one of them. Kate, Tara, Justin... they just all sort of run together. The only character that really stood out to me was Laurel's cousin Rose. I always enjoyed reading a scene that she was in. That Rose, she has some spunk.

The overall pacing was a little slow, but the writing and overall mystery was enough to keep my interest in tact.

Forget-Her-Nots was a fascinating debut, full of mystery, friendship and flowers!