Wednesday 25 June 2014

Review: The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer


Twelve-year-old Grace and her mother have always been their own family, traveling from place to place like gypsies. But Grace wants to finally have a home all their own. Just when she thinks she's found it her mother says it's time to move again. Grace summons the courage to tell her mother how she really feels and will always regret that her last words to her were angry ones.

After her mother's sudden death, Grace is forced to live with a grandmother she's never met. She can't imagine her mother would want her to stay with this stranger. Then Grace finds clues in a mysterious treasure hunt, just like the ones her mother used to send her on. Maybe it is her mother, showing her the way to her true home.

Lyrical, poignant and fresh, The Secret Hum of a Daisy is a beautifully told middle grade tale with a great deal of heart.


Hardcover, 320 pages
Published May 1st 2014 by Putnam Juvenile
Terri's Thoughts
 
I received a copy of this book by entering and winning a Goodreads giveaway.  In return I will give an honest review.
 
 
This story is marketed as a middle grade tale however I think that by doing so that there is a greater population of readers who may miss out or skip the opportunity to read this gem.  The theme of love, loss and home reaches a far greater audience then the younger readers.  These themes are common to all people regardless of age and I know this story will be enjoyed by older readers as I enjoyed it.
 
 
The story details Grace's journey of finding her place in the world and finding herself in the aftermath of the death of her mother.  We are along for the journey as she struggles to define what home means to her and learns how to let people in to her life.
 
 
I won't detail the plot of the book as I feel the synopsis explains it well.  I will say that it is a touching and emotional story that I really enjoyed.  Also Holczer's writing flowed easily and made it a nice relaxing read despite its somewhat heavy topic.  I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a nice understated coming of age story.

Website:     
     


1 comment:

  1. This sounds like a lovely and moving book. I will have to look for this one. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete