Girlwood

I loved this book. At first I thought it was a bit odd, but once into it I was pleasantly surprised at how good it actually was. Each chapter starts with a excerpt about different plants and their medicinal uses. I find it a great and interesting way to start a chapter. This is a book that flows beautifully and has great meaning behind it. Polly has never quite fit in, she loves the ugly forest nearby and most think her grandma is a witch. Polly has a secret though,since she was little has been able to see peoples auras. But then her beautiful, popular, druggie sister Bree disappears into the nearby forest and cant be found, but everyone believes the worst. Only Polly believes that her sister is living off the land in the forest. Polly finds evidence that her sister is living in a clearing she names Girlwood. Here she leaves food and clothes for Bree. Everything is better in Girlwood for Polly. But soon a developer plans to tear down the forest she loves and create a gated neighborhood. Through her hardships Polly soon finds who her true friends are.

This is my favorite book ever! A beautifully-written, uplifting, green story of a girl who refuses to believe that her sister is lost forever. Three generations of women find their way back to each other and magic literally lights up the woods. Everyone should read this book. Perfect for mothers and daughters to read together.

I came across this endorsement of Girlwood by Jane Goodall. I've been an admirer of Goodall's environmental work for many years. After reading the quote below, I had to buy a copy of Girlwood. It's an enchanting and magical book that teaches reverence of our sacred earth, as well as empowerment of the individual. I'll be giving my copy to my 13-year-old niece, who I'm sure will love it. "This is exactly the kind of book I would have loved as a teenager. It emphasizes the healing power of animals and nature which has helped so many young people cope with their problems all over the world. It will help young readers to understand that it is okay to be different. And that every individual can play a role in making this a better world." Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute UN Messenger of Peace

I couldn't put Girlwood down. I am sharing it with my daughter who is almost thirteen. Because Girlwood touches on many issues that mothers and daughters face such as the push and pull of letting go and coming back together, mistakes, peer pressure, love, insecurity, accomlishment, finding oneself, coming of age..., it is the perfect book to read together to open the many conversations that begin during this volatile and beautiful time of our lives. It is real, and it is fanciful. It is empowering and it is beautiful!

One night, Polly is awakened from a sound sleep to find her older sister, Bree, kissing her. As Bree's blood red aura trails behind her like the tattered wings of a ruined fairy, she tells Polly that she's leaving for the woods, so that she can try to be alright again. Half asleep, and not sure if she's really seeing her emaciated, drugged out sister or an actual fairy, Polly lets her go, with no argument over how much Bree has destroyed since she started using drugs. No one believes her when she tells them Bree has run to the woods, so it's up to Polly to provide everything her sister will need. Winter is almost there, and a developer is coming soon to trade out the trees for a housing development. Following the guidance of her grandmother, Baba, Polly knows that she could rely on herself to survive alone in the forest, and, with her help, so can Bree. Luckily, Polly finds that she doesn't have to be alone. Others may not be able to see the colorful bands of light around each other that display exactly who they are inside, but they will believe her. Under the protection of the hidden grove that Baba has shown her, Polly and her friends will learn that, with a little magic and a little faith, anything is possible. Beautifully written and with vibrant imagery, this book will strike a chord with anyone who has found magic and solace in their own secluded spot of wilderness. The explanations that head each chapter of the different wildflowers and their medicinal uses are also fascinating, as is the descriptions of various auras and what they mean. The back cover states that the author wrote this as a gift for her daughter, and she will be writing one for her son next. I'll be looking forward to reading that. Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose