Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

**2010 Debut Author Challenge List**
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (March, 2010) 

SUMMARY: Something--some power--is blooming inside Laurel. She can use flowers to do things. Like bringing back lost memories. Or helping her friends ace tests. Or making people fall in love.

Laurel suspects her newfound ability has something to do with an ancient family secret, one that her mother meant to share with Laurel when the time was right. But then time ran out.

Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother had also boarded as a student. Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent every day? Or will she set the stage for the most lovestruck, infamous prom in the history of the school?
MY REVIEW: I went into reading this book without knowing anything about it. The librarian at my local library remarked about the flower on the cover, wondering why the flower of the title was not depicted. I could not answer. I didn't know. After reading the book I wondered too, but it didn't really matter to me since the magic of this story was found on the pages.

The premise behind Forget-Her-Nots is unique and really held my interest. Laurel, 14, has started school at Avondale, the same school her recently deceased mom attended. While there she learns something strange happens to her when she's around flowers. Words swirl around her head, her arms tingle, she can smell scents others cannot. It is Laurel's newfound power--her ability to Flowerspeak--which is key to the enchantment of this novel. 

Brecount White's descriptions are gorgeous. At times I could smell the flowers Laurel found and picture her creating a tussie-mussie (flowers which have been gathered because of their special meanings into bouquets). What I really enjoyed about the story was the idea that flowers have their own language and that some people can work with the flowers to unleash their abilities. The way Laurel discovers and cultivates her ability is sweet, charming and humorous at times.

Forget-Her-Nots is the type of story any girl or woman would enjoy reading. And don't fight the urge to cut some flowers while you read. Having the pleasing scents of flowers around you would only enhance your enjoyment of this engaging story.

FAVORITE PASSAGE (From page 241):
     "Blessings," Laurel repeated. She could almost feel the hands and hearts of her mom, her grandma, and her great- and great-great grandmothers reaching out to her. Across the depths of time, across the chasm of death they stretched, offering her rare knowledge and the gift of flowers. She just had to find a way to take hold of their hands."

COVER COMMENT: As stated earlier, the flower on the cover is not a forget-me-not, but it is striking against the soft powder pink background.

RATING: ++++ Highly recommended.

FOR FANS OF: Contemporary, fantasy YA.

SERIES: I'm not sure, but Laurel's story could definitely continue.

BOOK SOURCE: Library.

REVIEWED BY: Laurie