Review "This cozy multigenerational saga by the author of 27 Magic Words evocatively explores themes of growing up, mental health, and finding where one fits in a family. . . . Moranville offers her contemporary Midwestern characters complex emotional backgrounds and a richly rendered setting."—Publishers Weekly"What happens when generations of family are filled with surprising secrets? . . . An affectionate window into Midwestern farm life and families with common threads of struggle."—Kirkus Reviews "In this story about the challenges a family faces when secrets come to light, Rose struggles to find her own way through the pitfalls of decisions made in the past. Readers are taken on a journey through Rose’s background via a family tree of female relatives that she creates for a school project. Every woman has lived a full life and is a whole person with the flaws to match. Moranville paints wonderfully complete and compelling characters in a richly detailed rural setting."—School Library Journal"Ultimately, this thoughtful portrait of a family introduces young readers to the challenges of parenting (especially single parenting) and the tension and healing that flow under the surface of every family."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Praise for 27 Magic Words, by Sharelle Byars Moranville: * "...This character-driven novel does a remarkable job of allowing readers to see the world through Kobi’s eyes . . . This well-honed middle grade title packs a considerable emotional punch and could be just the ticket for a tween dealing with loss. . . . highly recommended" —School Library Journal, Starred Review* "Distinctive, well-drawn characters drive the plot and provide their own magical contributions to Kobi’s widening world. Both tragic and uplifting, this winsome tale perfectly depicts some of the many aspects of magic."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review Read more About the Author Sharelle Byars Moranville is the author of the author of critically acclaimed middle grade novels Over the River and 27 Magic Words, which received starred reviews in School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews and was a 2017 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts. She lives in West Des Moines, Iowa. Read more
E**A
A Moving Page-Turner!
What a beautiful book! First of all, I loved the setting -- 10-year-old Rose lives with her grandmother on a modern-day Southern Illinois farm that's been in her family for five generations. It's the kind of place where "wild morning glory climbed over everything. Hidden birds tweeted and mystery critters rustled around." The novel's sense of place is just so compelling. I was truly sad when I got to the end and was no longer on that farm.Layered into the story is the page-turning tension of the family's past secrets being revealed and cycles of imperfections being repeated over the generations. There's a "surprise Lily," (I won't give anything away here!), and an irresistible 10-year-old protagonist, Rose, at the book's heart. She is smart, kind, stubborn, and brave -- the kind of character you root for even when she makes a less-than-wise choice or two (she is only 10, after all!).I wish I would have had this book when I was about Rose's age. That was about the time it dawned on me that my family was a little more messy and complex than I had previously thought! As Rose realizes at some point, "A world that isn't so perfect could live a long time. Just look at the messed-up Lovell family tree. Yet here she was."Highly recommended.
J**N
Engaging Characters, Lovely Setting
Ten-year-old Rose lives on the Lovell family farm just like generations of women before her. She loves the land, the animals, even the chores, and she can't imagine living anywhere else. Ama, her grandmother, encourages her to be independent, making her feel as if she can do anything. Life is nearly perfect until Rose's mother, Iris, shows up unannounced and gets into a huge argument with Ama. Rose overhears secrets that break her heart and make her furious at the same time. She runs away, into a situation she never imagined, and her life irrevocably changes.Rose is a brave, loving, and sometimes headstrong character children will identify with, envy, and root for from beginning to end. This is a novel teachers, parents, and grandparents will enjoy reading with their children as much as children will enjoy reading it on their own. My favorite children's novel of the year!
E**S
Heartwarming Story
Surprise Lily is that rare book that perfectly intertwines the love and heartbreak that comes along with being part of a family. The Lovell women will make you believe that family ties endure forever.Love of family and farm is woven through the pages in rich and beautiful language. It is an amazing book and I highly recommend it!
M**N
Wonderful!
Sharelle Byars Moranville’s Surprise Lily is a wonderful story. Once I started reading I could not put it down. Truly captivating!The characters are so real you truly care what happens. A very good read!
A**R
Great story of family sticking together through generations
It is a good read for all ages! I didn't want to put it down.
K**S
Families are complicated.
A great read-an empathetic look at a family ; I was rooting for all of the characters.
S**Y
Lovely story of mothers, daughters and sisters
I read this book because I heard an interview with the author and she was so interesting that I just had to read the book. So glad that I did! This is a wonderful story of generations of women and how they relate to each other as grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and sisters. The author uses a unique method to reveal the backstory of the main character by going back in time, highlighting various women in the family when they were all 10 years old (the same age as the protagonist). The backstory was so interesting that I longed to find out more about some of these women. I loved how the characters expressed their affection for each other, with such warmth and intimacy. The protagonist, Rose, was a very resourceful 10 year- old and it was really interesting to see how she navigated through a very difficult situation. There was a definite Laura Ingalls Wilder vibe to this story which I loved (and I'm not even sure the author has read Wilder, though I bet she did). Also a Louisa May Alcott Little Women vibe. This is a great book for Middle School kids ; adults would enjoy it too as I did.
M**A
Great Children’s Book!
Surprise Lily is one of those all-too-rare novels that throw a spotlight on a rural community in the center of the United States. Ms. Moranville’s meticulous details of farm life provide a believable backdrop for the Lovell woman through several generations. Each girl’s chapter provides a snapshot of her life at age ten as well as the joys and flaws of her family. The relationship between Rose and her grandmother Ama is especially touching, which makes it all the more heartbreaking when it falls apart. Readers will fly through the pages to see how Rose handles a series of shocking surprises and cross their fingers that her family will heal by the book’s end. A great children’s novel!
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