The Secret of Sabrina Fludde

The Secret of Sabrina Fludde reminds us that the threads of past make up the fabric of the present. I very much enjoyed Midnight Blue, also by Pauline Fisk, and looked forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed. The story opens with a body of a young girl caught in the currents of the river that flows through the heart of the town. No one notices her as her body winds its way past, or when she finally washes up on a small beach. Stunned at finding herself in this predicament, the girl realizes she has no memory - no name, no friends, no family, no home. She wanders the streets of Pengwern looking for clues to her own life. The streets, and the flashes of memory that return, are confusing and frightening, but the girl also finds solace among some of the town residents. Her hopes for finding her family are raised then dashed, then raised again, and in the end the story comes to a satisfying yet unexpected conclusion. Although the book is aimed at teens, adults of all ages will also enjoy the beautifully woven prose. The story of this young girl will stay with me for years to come, and I welcome her company.