Lavender

by Karen Hesse, Andrew Glass (Illustrator)

Codie is excited that her Aunt Alix is expecting a baby and makes a pretty quilt for her aunt and the baby, but she worries that Aunt Alix will not have time for her anymore.

Genres: Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Karen Hesse is an American author known for her children's and young adult literature, often set in historical contexts. She received the Newbery Medal for Out of the Dust (1997), a verse novel about a young girl enduring the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. Hesse’s works frequently tackle complex themes, as seen in Witness (2001), which explores the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in a 1920s Vermont town, and The Music of Dolphins (1996), which tells the story of a girl raised by dolphins. Her novel Stowaway (2000) is based on the real-life account of a boy aboard Captain Cook’s Endeavour. Over her career, Hesse has received numerous accolades, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 2002 and the Phoenix Award for Letters from Rifka (1992).

Reviews

[Joy Slykhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little book by an excellent author. Codie's never had a cousin before, and now her Aunt Alix, who's her favourite person, is due to have a baby anytime. The story of an adventure-filled sleepover. Short chapters, illustrated, great for reluctant readers.

[Jessica Levitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This made tears come to my eyes as I read it in the public library. A lovely story told from the perspective of a young (8 year-old?) Codie waiting for the arrival of her first cousin. Codie rushes to complete a blanket for the newest family member, staying up all night to sew it. She is anxious about her place in her aunt's family when the baby, newly named Lavender, arrives home, and her aunt reassures her that there will always be room for Codie. It is a perfect independent read for ages 7-9.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Codie's favorite aunt is about to have a baby, Codie does a secret special thing--she makes her new baby cousin a blanket. Will Codie finish the blanket in time? Will Codie's aunt still love Codie once the new baby comes? A sweet story about love, a new addition to the family, and the replacement anxiety children face. A good chapter book for transitional readers.

[Amy Varchetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

brief but sweet story about the arrival of a little girl's cousin

[Shelly Budziszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet. Family connection: aunt/cousin/Birth of baby. Character trait of caring.

[Kim]

Recommended by Chinaberry, Holiday 2011. For 4-9 years.

[Nancy Sievert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet