Dear Poppy

by Ronni Arno

When twelve-year-old Poppy moves to the country, she discovers a secret stash of letters that give her a unique connection to her late mother in this M!X novel about friendship, first crushes, and family drama.

City girl Poppy has always wanted a best friend, but never felt enough of a connection with anyone to gain BFF status. Even without a BFF, Poppy is horrified when her father decides to move her and her older brother out to the family farm. Away from her beloved city and away from memories of her late mom—a fresh start for everyone.

And after a weird first week at her new school, Poppy is convinced she is destined for a boring year—until she finds a stack of letters from 1985 hidden in the barn of the old farmhouse that they move into. Even better? Those letters are addressed to Poppy...from her mom. Poppy doesn't know what supernatural event brought these letters to her, but she doesn't care. All she knows is that she finally has the connection she yearns for. Plus, her mom seems to understand everything that Poppy is going through: not quite fitting in, the desire to put down roots, and the heartbreak of losing a loved one. Has Poppy discovered the friend—and acceptance—she’s always wanted?

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Friendship

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2016

About the author

Ronni Arno is the proud mom to 2 kids, 2 dogs, and several middle grade and young adult novels. Her debut, RUBY REINVENTED, published with Simon & Schuster/Aladdin in Fall 2015. DEAR POPPY publishes with Simon & Schuster/Aladdin in October 2016, and MOLLY IN THE MIDDLE publishes in Summer 2017. In her spare time, Ronni kayaks and drinks coffee, but not usually at the same time.

Reviews

[Jen Petro-Roy]

So cute, such heart!

[Julia Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOMMMMEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[milana waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with characters that are full of life and an amazing twist ending!🔥💛🌟

[Myrtle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boring, predictable and annoying. The entire book was just about fate which I don't believe in and the dead mom's spirit, which I also don't believe in. Meh

[Jo Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Poppy was adorable! It's about a girl who lost her mother years ago in a car accident. But when she moves to her mother's childhood home with her father and brother, Poppy discovers old letters her mother had written in the 1980's - and they are all addressed to her, Poppy! Poppy's mother was also in middle school when she wrote the letters so they are full of fun and have uncanny parallels to Poppy's own life. As she adjusts to her new small town she starts to feel connected the mother she hardly remembers. But Poppy has her struggles too. One of her classmates has a very Professor Umbrage-like personality, which adds mischief and mystery to the story.
I really enjoyed this fast-paced book and highly recommend Dear Poppy to middle-grade readers!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about new beginnings and discovering the past.

Poppy moves into her mother's childhood home and finds letters from her deceased mother, addressed to "Dear Poppy," from 1985. The letters introduce Poppy to a young version of her mother, struggling with many of the same hurdles Poppy is currently facing. Through the letters, Poppy's mother seems to be guiding Poppy down a path to connect their lives.

I would love to see my mother's letters from when she was young. There were wonderful touching moments in this book, pared with annoyed disgust at the despicable bullies that plagued both mother and daughter.

I adored this book, and I'll admit, the end made me tear up. <3

But really, Ronni (and Poppy's mom), you named her Poppy Pickler. That poor girl!

[Stephanie Faris · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Dear Poppy, a 12-year-old girl is relocated to the family farm, where she finds a hidden stash of letters in the barn. The letters are were written by her now-deceased mom in 1985 and are addressed to "Poppy," leading her to conclude that her mother somehow knew as a teenager that her daughter would someday read them. As Poppy struggles to deal with making friends at school, including a meanie named Kathryn, the letters bond her to her mom in a touching way. This book will tug at your heartstrings while still being a fun read!

[Brooks Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an early draft of this book and I have to say that DEAR POPPY is a garden of literary awesomeness. It's got the heart, the humor, the mystery, and the magic--everything that makes for an incredibly enjoyable read. I can't wait for it to hit the shelves because my library is simply incomplete without it!

[Morgan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, heartwarming, awesome book. I got this book for all my friends, and all of the, even 14 year olds, raved about this book, saying they loved it. Although the genre is from ages 9-12, I would say that this book is for any age. I loved dear Poppy, and I can't wait for whatever Ronni comes out with next.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

12-year-old Poppy has recently moved into her grandparents old farmhouse with her widowed dad and brother. Poppy’s mother died of cancer 5 years ago, and moving into her childhood home may present some problems. But, when Poppy finds a metal box with letters her mother wrote when she was 12 (addressed to Poppy) she is certain her mother is watching over her. But the letters show an interesting similarity between mother and daughter - especially when Poppy discovers that Vanessa (her mother’s bully) is the mother of Kathryn (the girl who is making life at her new school miserable).

Full of small town country charm, 4-H classes and gardening advice balance the daily trials of dealing with a bully, missing mother and dealing with dad - who has started dating. While the bullying was a little over the top - I don’t think teachers and administrators are really that blind about what is going on at their school - the message that some things may change over the years, but other things are still the same, was able to override the mean girl story. There seems to be some holes in the story, and I would have liked to see some consequences for the bullies.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.bogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Trinity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! The whole book had you wanting to read more every step of the way. Probably because there were so many mysteries that needed to be figured out. At the end I was shocked but also not at the same time. But I was fooled by Tammy actually not being a good person. I wonder if Kathryn and Poppy become friends.... 🤔 I totally ship Poppy and Brody and kinda wish that they would've kissed at the end. But I guess they are only twelve. It was great to read this because I could relate to the main character a lot with how she felt about Kathryn and middle school and Brody and everything. I may reread this book again and recommend for every one (particularly middle schoolers) age 10+.

[Miss Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy's Dad moves shes and her brother to the farm her grandfather left them when he died. From city to farm was a huge change. The consolation: she thinks she's found letters from her mom to her when she was 12. Poppy makes some unexpected friends and enemies, but is realizing her mom had many of the same issues she's having. At the 4-H fair, much is revealed. Set in the modern era, but letters from the 1980's. Funny and realistic fiction. I enjoyed the insights Polly gains into her mom's childhood.

[Emelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a favorite of mine when I was little (I first read it in 3rd grade) and I’ve loved it ever since. I reread it almost every year!!! The only problem I’ve ever had with it was how come in the book Poppy is said to have brown eyes, but on the cover her eyes are blue? I’ve always been super curious about this lol

[Walker Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about a girl named Poppy. When her grandfather dies, her family moves to his house. There Poppy finds a stack of letters in the old barn. She opens one and it is from her mother but, the date written was before Poppy had been born. But it was addressed to her! Who was it for?

[Ana(stasia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, It was a very quick read. I did feel sad for Poppy when she found out the letters were to her mothers friend Poppy from when she was little. But it still had a nice, simple ending.

[Zazie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story this was. I loved every moment of reading, and recommend it to anyone who may want to read it. Everything about each character was perfect, even the bad people. This was one of my faves for sure.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book. I liked Poppy making friends with Britt and her brother, and how everything worked out in the end. A satisfying read.

[Isabel Haber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read. Surprising, yet slightly expected plot twist.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in our Jr high section. Good for 4th and up. I like how Poppy tries to find her Mom and the comparision to her life at 12 and her moms.

[Gouri Verma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was just so good!!💕💕 There were a lot of twists towards the end!!❤️❤️
Go for it!!

[Natalie Lindahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this so so so much! such a comfort book, and a lovely read whenever

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*. Loved the 80's nostalgia!

[Poppy De Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming beautifull story.

[Shannon deBoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me into reading when I was in middle school.

it's so good and sooo cute I still reread it now

[Shubha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book.. Although the twist in the end wasn't a surprise at all..

[Claire P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! So intense and full of mystery! Poppy is dealing with mean bullies at school, her dad almost marrying a bullies mom, having her roses getting ruined by a mysterious person, and last but not least, readings letters from her mom who was dead for 5 years.
Read this!! MUST READ!

[Wendelin Ivanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up the book - read synopsis and found out that it's about mother-daughter- definitely had to buy.

Yes I was scared that if it's boring and might disappoint me but still read it and ends up loving it! I find the story a bit cringey and you might feel a bit of anger towards some characters but don't worry! they were all bearable. I cried throughout reading the last few chapters up till the ending and ahhh it's just a good book to read okay!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some of the parallels between the letters and Poppy's life cloyingly convenient, although it drives home the nostalgic factor of everything coming full circle. A sweet, sappy ending that left me with a smile and a bit of tear despite my irritation at Poppy's blind faith in her mother's communication. Well written and a fast, sweet read.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read both Dear Poppy and Ruby Reinvented, I found that Dear Poppy tugged at my heart a bit more; like Ruby Reinvented, it is well-written and manages to be both light and meaningful.

My daughter (14) also read it (in a day) and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Jen Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not love this book any more. I was smiling through tears at the ending!!!!