Flower

June 1, 2005
Gr 5-8 -Almost a century separates Katie and Lilly but they share many things, including their family. The narrative bounces back and forth between the early 1900s and the present as they tell their stories. Katie, 13, is sent to spend three weeks with her grandparents in their new house in Halifax while her father and stepmother go on a trip. There she meets Lilly, or rather Lilly's ghost, who came to Canada from London in 1907 as one of the many orphans who was shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to be adopted or, more likely, to become indentured servants. During her stay, Katie's grandfather tells her what he knows of the family history. The ghost of Lilly is eventually able to fill in the gaps as it becomes clear that she is Katie's great-grandmother and that she worked in this house as a nanny. After learning of Lilly's hard life, Katie comes to terms with the changes she faces. The main characters are believable, but the supporting cast remains very much on the periphery. Also, readers must closely watch the dates of the chapters as the entire book is told in first person, and the headings are the only clue as to which narrator is talking. Still, this is a good choice for units on Canada at the turn of the century or for those who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural." -Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC"

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