Forget-Her-Nots [Hardcover]

Amy Brecount White (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 2, 2010

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?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—Laurel, 14, is a new student at her recently deceased mother's alma mater, a Virginia girls' boarding school. She prepares a presentation on the Victorian language of flowers for her English class and finds that she has a special affinity for the subject. Strong flower scents, some of them undetectable to anyone else, suddenly make her feel "spinny, dizzy, and tingly." If she recites a little verse her mother used to say, "Bright cut flowers, leaves of green, bring about what I have seen," the flowers seem to actualize the sentiments they are meant to symbolize. This is a fine thing when the tussie-mussie Laurel makes for her class presentation apparently causes her teacher, known to the students as Spinster Spenser, to fall in love and marry, but not quite so benign when the bouquets she makes for classmates fall into the wrong hands and attract or repel unintended recipients. Sylvia Suarez, a science teacher, keeper of the school conservatory, and Laurel's mother's onetime classmate, gradually informs the teen that they are both part of a society of "Flowerspeakers," a group that also included Laurel's mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. For centuries, these women have possessed powers similar to Laurel's and will now help her learn to use her own gift. Although the fantasy elements of this novel are not convincing or successful, the book will appeal to fans of boarding-school stories and gentle teen romances.—Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA
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From Booklist

While researching the Victorian language of flowers for a project at boarding school, 14-year-old Laurel discovers that her bouquets (or tussie-mussies) have peculiar effects on whomever she gives them to: a spinster teacher finds love, a classmate aces a test, and another attracts boys like flies. Luckily, Ms. Suarez, the head of the conservatory, is there to explain Laurel’s gifts—she is a Flowerspeaker, one of an ancient line of people who can use flowers to influence feelings. Unfortunately, Laurel ignores her advice not to meddle, and a string of misused flowers create friction with Laurel’s father and friends, culminating in a memorably chaotic prom. The premise is charming and unique, and White has certainly done her research into the history and meanings of flowers. Laurel is sympathetic despite being a little slow to figure things out, but the other characters are generic and the story is a bit slight and predictable. Still, this diverting read will be popular with girls expecting magic and romance. Grades 7-10. --Krista Hutley

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (March 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006167298X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061672989
• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,695,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

From ages 0 to 9, I moved every two or three years all over the country, which I like to think made me adaptable and open to new places, people, and ideas. We lived in San Francisco, Virginia Beach, Albuquerque, N.M., Lexington, K.Y., and Dayton, Ohio. The library was one of the first places we found anywhere we arrived. I've always found a home in books.

It really never occurred to me that I could be a writer until I was in college. I always thought I'd do something more "practical," with a guaranteed salary. (Believe me, there are no guarantees in writing.) When I ditched the practical by majoring in Great Books at the University of Notre Dame, I began to think about writing as a sideline.

My first paid writing job was for a health newsletter in Charlottesville, Va., where I was earning my M.A. in English at the University of Virginia. My first published piece of writing was about ... uh ... constipation. No kidding. I like to think I've come a long, long way.

Along that way, I've taught English literature and writing to middle and high school students and won a teacher of the year award. I've written lots of articles - mainly for The Washington Post - about fun things to do in the greater Washington area. I've also written a lot of essays about things I care about, such as my faith, reading aloud to children, and protecting the environment.

Now I live with my husband and three kids and Jessie the wonder dog near some woods and a stream in Arlington, Virginia, which is the inspiration for my second novel tentatively titled, String Theory.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Forget-Her-Nots book review December 22, 2010

By C. C.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Are you crazy about flowers? If the answer is yes, you should read this book.
What made me read Forget-Her-Nots was its original concept. Flowerspeaking is so cool, and it immediately attracted me. I really enjoyed reading about the different meanings of the flowers, and I think that was perfectly explored in here. The writing is pretty good, and though I had some problems with the characters, I liked the plot.
Laurel was weird to me. Sometimes she seemed older, sometimes younger, sometimes she was so mature, but others... not so much. Some of her choices and actions struck me as childish and sometimes stupid. And it really annoyed me that she did some very bad choices and didn't even understand it and then was so whiny about it.
I thought her relationship with Justin was also quite underdeveloped: I didn't get what she saw in him, and how they'd be together, IF they'd be together, I didn't even like him! Well, not that, I simply didn't get to know him that well, as a character. To be honest, I think Everett is better developed than Justin. I actually liked him, till he became a jerk and did something I hated. Ugh, boys! :P
So, this is a really cute debut novel filled with friendship, awesome family secrets and, surprise surprise, flowers!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Chick Loves Lit July 22, 2011

By Shanyn Day

Format:Hardcover

Forget-Her-Nots has a unique plot, as it deals with the language of flowers. I have yet to read a book that comes close to dealing with this sort of `magic,' so I had a lot of fun hearing the meanings of the flowers and reading about them being used.

Overall I was slightly disappointed, because the novel seemed more middle grade than young adult to me. The plot was very basic, and the characters were not as deep as I normally like. I did not get to read much about the boarding school, which is one of my favorite book topics, so I was sad about that - and I was confused about the friendships our main character had. One of the girls was constantly mean and yet still remained in the circle of friends throughout, and I couldn't really figure out why.

I really like the cover of this book, and liked the basic set up of the plot - I was just hoping for a little more complexity. A good pick if you're into flowers and are looking for an easy read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and magical March 19, 2010

By E. Norton

Format:Hardcover

I loved this book! I really liked the way the author used the beauty of flowers throughout the book. It has a great story-line ~ magical and believable. Laurel was a very like-able character. As a 14 year-old girl, I could totally relate to her. And I loved the ending ~ it was perfect. I liked this book so much, I read it again a few days later! I hope this author has another book on the way!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kritters Ramblings May 4, 2011

By Kristin Durham

Format:Hardcover

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Meaning of Flowers May 2, 2011

By Jennifer Rummel - YABookNerd

Format:Hardcover

In doing research for a project on the Victorian Era, Laurel comes across a book about the language of flowers. As she researching. she recalls memories of her mother's love for flowers. Each flower has a meaning, a language most people realize it exists. Laurel presents on a unique day, when the boys are visiting campus.

She learns more and more about flowers while giving them to other girls to help them fall in love, remember facts for tests, and keep love on course. Laurel finds herself finally gaining a friend at the boarding school, but all the pressure and judgment starts catching up with her.

There's something dark going on with Laurel. Something's eating her up inside. She struggles to understand her mother's death and the connection with flowers, dealing with school and social pressures, and finding a way to reach her grandmother. Can she figure out what it is before it's too late?

My Thoughts: A great romantic tale about a girl struggling to find herself after her mother's death and learning she's inherited a special gift. I loved reading about the different meaning of flowers and how Laurel uses them to help others, including herself in the romance department. I'm hoping this story will continue.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Flower Power! January 14, 2011

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

"Forget Her Nots" was one of my favorite books of 2011. Laurel is the main character and it was fun to learn about her special power of being a Flower Speaker . . Her experiences at school and being a little different made me want to be her friend! I read this book very fast, it was a really great story!

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