Flower

by Irene N. Watts

Thirteen-year-old Katie is an unwilling summer guest in the Victorian home of her Halifax grandparents. All she wants to do is stay in her attic bedroom and brood. Disgruntled over her new stepmother’s pregnancy and how a baby might affect her life, Katie takes refuge in her dreams of playing the part of the disagreeable orphan Mary Lennox in the upcoming school production of The Secret Garden.

When Katie sees a shadow on her bedroom wall of an old-fashioned girl holding a flower, she tries to convince herself it is caused by moonlight. But the girl reappears and shares her life with Katie, reaching across the years to her. Is she a ghost? As Katie searches for some tangible evidence of the girl’s presence, she discovers a package of letters from World War I containing clues to a bygone time when British orphans were sent to Canada as Home Children.

In this haunting journey of a young girl looking for answers and an orphan girl from the past who tries to provide them, award-winning novelist Irene N. Watts uncovers a tale about the real meaning of family.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2005

About the author

Irene N. Watts is a German-born Canadian writer and educator. She was born in Berlin in 1931 and lived there for seven years. She moved to the United Kingdom by way of Kindertransport and was educated in England and Wales. Watts earned degrees in English literature and modern history at Cardiff University.

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

THe was a beautiful book. I really loved the story line, and just about everything about it! It was so touching and it was very moving, I can't imagine how life for the home children were back then; I almost feel guilty for having soo much in my life, but still not being satisfied, and always wanting more. Irene Watts, you wrote this book vey well, please continue to write more books like this! And expect me for be reviewing the rest of your books in the future!!!!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book!!! It’s the best book hands down that I’ve ever read and it is extremely underrated. This book should be read by everyone who appreciates a good book especially if you are a teenager like me!!! Totally recommend!!! I would give it a million stars if possible!!! It helps you realize how lucky we are and much things have changed since then!!! I literally read this in one sitting!!!

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

We read this for our mother/daughter book club. It was okay, not my favorite book we've read. It was sometimes hard to follow. But, it did remind me of how lucky we are to have a home and a family.