Forever Rose

Forever Rose is a delightful read, just like the rest of the series. Rose, now aged eleven, is growing up, but she is still as charming as ever. With her two best mates, bold Kiran and (((boring))) Mollipop, they enjoy little adventures while trying to outwit the dreadful Mr. Spencer. Indigo is trying is best to befriend the troubled David and find a space for his cumbersome drumset. And Saffron and Sarah are as busy as ever with extra Spanish. Eve is spending more time than ever in her garden shed fighting off her relentless illness and forgetting that Christmas is only a few weeks away. Which is what Rose keeps trying to remind everyone of. Will there be Christmas in the Casson house? Caddy hasn't been heard from. What surprise is she hiding? And is it the reason that Michael won't talk to Rose? And what of Darling Bill? Will he finally come home to stay? This last novel in the Casson series ended perfectly. My only complaint is that it is the last one. I'll miss being a part of the Casson family!

The final installment in the popular, award-winning series about the Casson family and assorted friends stars and is narrated by its craziest (among eccentrics), youngest and most endearing character, Rose. Artistic, volatile Rosey Pose is unappreciated at school by an unimaginative teacher and lonely at home in a house that used to feel too small. Where has everyone gone? Plus, she doesn't read and certainly doesn't care for the books people keep putting under her nose. Rose and her best friend Kiran do go along with a scheme to spend the night in the arctic foxes' shed at the zoo. Who finds Rose? Her own missing and beloved oldest sister, Caddy. Caddy has a surprise of her own, one that will bring all these quirky characters together for a most satisfying conclusion. Oh -- and Rose discovers the joy of reading all on her own. Rosey Pose, your readers love you! [Review originally appeared in the Palo Alto Weekly, 7/9/08]

I love these books almost beyond words. They are written in such an amazingly sweet, funny and eccentric way that, like Harry Potter, it's nearly impossible to put them down. Forever Rose is the fifth and final book in Hilary McKay's acclaimed series, the others being "Saffy's Angel", "Indigo's Star", "Permanent Rose" and "Caddy Ever After." Regardless of the title of the previous book, the last three have really been about Rose, who is, in my opinion, doubtlessly the most endearing character in the series. The story centers around Rose Casson, who I believe is now in fifth or possibly sixth grade (Year Six in England). Her siblings (Cadmium, Saffron and Indigo -- the children's artist parents named them after colors) seem oddly busy, Caddy being the exception, as she has gone missing, and don't have much time for Rose. Her new teacher is nasty and self-absorbed, her father comes home even less than usual, and her mother is, as always, very absent-minded. But Rose finds things to do (as she always does!) with her friends Kiran (wild with wilder ideas) and Molly (boring). The three come up with an amazingly daring plan -- although possibly not for Rose, for whom nothing is too much. Caddy's surprising news highlights the eccentricity of the series, and, as expected, all the loose ends do get tied up -- and definitely in a way that makes you laugh, cry and feel like writing Hilary McKay a letter of protest for ending her series, which, by the way, I very nearly did. I'll stop writing this review before I reveal too much. But read Forever Rose. It's definitely worth it. And if this is your first time with the Casson family? Go back to the beginning and buy "Saffy's Angel".

Okay, you should know that all things considered, I invariably choose fantasy over contemporary realism, and I can usually keep my head when reviewing and not gush. BUT--Hilary McKay's five books about the Casson family are among my all-time favorites. EVER. I LOVE the delicate blend of humor and truth and trouble and compassion in every one of these books. The characters are so quirky and likable and real--not only the Casson kids and their rather odd parents, but secondary characters such as David and Sarah, as well. In this last volume, even the various school teachers shine in their brief cameos--and the bits about the first grade Nativity play are the funniest thing since The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! I ordered Forever Rose the second I saw it was available and opened it up with bone-deep joy, then had one of those minor panic attacks that can sweep down upon avid readers: "What if it's not as good as I think it will be? As good as I want it to be?" But it was. In this book, the youngest Casson, Rose, is grumping her way through a pre-Christmas season beleaguered by a mother with an endless cold, a truly awful sixth grade teacher, and siblings who are clearly growing up and away and leaving her behind. Among other things. Like--how might someone get away with spending the night at the zoo? (In the arctic foxes' shed, of course. The foxes are apparently out of town.) I do strongly recommend you read all of the books in order, since you'll enjoy this one far more if you do. I mean, I imagine you can still have a good read without doing that; I just wouldn't recommend it. There is an air of magical realism about McKay's Casson books, even though there isn't a scrap of actual magic in them. (The main character does have some interesting things to say about fairy tales in Forever Rose.) I personally find real life--the people and words and sights and sounds of it--magical in its own right. McKay somehow manages to capture that world-faith/world-joy in her Casson books. It's also quite an accomplishment to write such hopeful books about life and family without being the least bit didactic. I'm just so happy today, having spent some time with the Casson family again. Thank you VERY much, Hilary McKay!

Perfect, perfect, perfect. This book is brilliant; the perfect ending to this series. I adored the first two books in this series, was disappointed in Permanent Rose (what was the deal with Rose's father anyway), and felt hopeful with Caddy Ever After. However, in Forever Rose, the Casson family is back with all their eccentricity, humor and warmth. McKay takes all of the loose ends (Caddy and Michael) and ties them together. Very satisfactory.