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Casson Family #3
Permanent Rose
Feisty Rose takes center stage as the highly original Casson family faces a long, hot summer.
As usual, things are a bit chaotic. Eldest daughter Caddy is now engaged to darling Michael, and she's not altogether sure she likes it. Saffy and Sarah are on a mission to find Saffy's biological father (while cultivating hearts of stone). Indigo is cautiously beginning a friendship with a reformed bully, who desparately wants to feel like part of the Casson family. Rose, while missing Tom (who none of them have heard from) dreadfully, enters into a life of petty crime, shoplifting small items until her misadventures nearly bring disaster. An accidental trip to London and a visit with Rose's father lead to a startling revelation, but through it all Rose's single-minded determination to find Tom remains as fierce as it is hopeless. Or is it?
Hilary McKay has painted the fond mayhem of this delightul family with such humor, warmth, and authenticity that readers will fall in love with them all over again. Once you've visited the Casson household, you may never want to leave.
As usual, things are a bit chaotic. Eldest daughter Caddy is now engaged to darling Michael, and she's not altogether sure she likes it. Saffy and Sarah are on a mission to find Saffy's biological father (while cultivating hearts of stone). Indigo is cautiously beginning a friendship with a reformed bully, who desparately wants to feel like part of the Casson family. Rose, while missing Tom (who none of them have heard from) dreadfully, enters into a life of petty crime, shoplifting small items until her misadventures nearly bring disaster. An accidental trip to London and a visit with Rose's father lead to a startling revelation, but through it all Rose's single-minded determination to find Tom remains as fierce as it is hopeless. Or is it?
Hilary McKay has painted the fond mayhem of this delightul family with such humor, warmth, and authenticity that readers will fall in love with them all over again. Once you've visited the Casson household, you may never want to leave.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
20 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
About the author
Hilary McKay
136 books387 followersHilary McKay was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and is the eldest of four girls. From a very early age she read voraciously and grew up in a household of readers. Hilary says of herself as a child "I anaesthetised myself against the big bad world with large doses of literature. The local library was as familiar to me as my own home."
After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary then went on to work as a biochemist in an Analysis Department. Hilary enjoyed the work but at the same time had a burning desire to write. After the birth of her two children, Hilary wanted to devote more time to bringing up her children and writing so decided to leave her job.
One of the best things about being a writer, says Hilary, is receiving letters from children. She wishes that she had written to authors as a child, but it never occurred to her to contact them
Hilary now lives in a small village in Derbyshire with her family. When not writing Hilary loves walking, reading, and having friends to stay.
After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary then went on to work as a biochemist in an Analysis Department. Hilary enjoyed the work but at the same time had a burning desire to write. After the birth of her two children, Hilary wanted to devote more time to bringing up her children and writing so decided to leave her job.
One of the best things about being a writer, says Hilary, is receiving letters from children. She wishes that she had written to authors as a child, but it never occurred to her to contact them
Hilary now lives in a small village in Derbyshire with her family. When not writing Hilary loves walking, reading, and having friends to stay.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
August 9, 2013
While an excellent read and a fun story, I have to admit that I didn't connect to this one as much as the previous books in the series. The family is as crazy as ever, and Saffy and Sarah beginning a quest for Saffy's father was very fun (with Sarah's dad stealing the occasional scene--he may be my favorite character). And who wouldn't be touched by Rose's yearning for her long-absent friend, Tom?
But the story rambled a bit. And the David and Indigo bit just wasn't terribly interesting (it doesn't help that David doesn't have much of a personality, really). And there wasn't really anything new or deep or meaningful at the heart of the story. Or, if there was, I missed it.
And I hated a couple of developments in the core family. Somewhat mitigated by finally meeting Bill's Other Woman and liking her a great deal (at the expense of Bill, but that's hardly a surprise, really).
Which sounds like a lot I didn't like, and not at all what you'd expect for a review that accompanies a four-star rating. All I can say in my defense is that it was still a great ride and I still love the Cassons and I laughed out loud too often to be able to say it wasn't fantastic. It was. Fantastic, I mean.
But the story rambled a bit. And the David and Indigo bit just wasn't terribly interesting (it doesn't help that David doesn't have much of a personality, really). And there wasn't really anything new or deep or meaningful at the heart of the story. Or, if there was, I missed it.
And I hated a couple of developments in the core family. Somewhat mitigated by finally meeting Bill's Other Woman and liking her a great deal (at the expense of Bill, but that's hardly a surprise, really).
Which sounds like a lot I didn't like, and not at all what you'd expect for a review that accompanies a four-star rating. All I can say in my defense is that it was still a great ride and I still love the Cassons and I laughed out loud too often to be able to say it wasn't fantastic. It was. Fantastic, I mean.
September 7, 2010
I am so happy to have found this series. As usual it seems in young adult literature the parents are practically nonexistent when it comes to any kind of parenting. Yet there are other adult characters (the children's friend Sarah's mother and the school principal and the father's girlfriend) who show signs of attention to the children.
My favorites:
Rose thinks "in her opinion books were for those unable to entertain themselves in any other way . For those who could not draw, who had no ears, who had no one to whom they might speak, who could not switch on a television or walk out of a room .... Someone stuck in an empty concrete cell with nothing they could use to write on the walls might be grateful for a book, admitted Rose, although even then if they had any imagination, they would use the pages to manufacture paper boats and planes."
"The rain excited people. They talked about it to each other. They noticed that it had an incredible smell, a mixture of spice and trash cans. They saw how it left reddish marks on white surfaces. A gusty wind had come up from the South. Someone said, "That rain was full of dust from Africa" and this new unfounded story spread through the town by a network ..."
My favorites:
Rose thinks "in her opinion books were for those unable to entertain themselves in any other way . For those who could not draw, who had no ears, who had no one to whom they might speak, who could not switch on a television or walk out of a room .... Someone stuck in an empty concrete cell with nothing they could use to write on the walls might be grateful for a book, admitted Rose, although even then if they had any imagination, they would use the pages to manufacture paper boats and planes."
"The rain excited people. They talked about it to each other. They noticed that it had an incredible smell, a mixture of spice and trash cans. They saw how it left reddish marks on white surfaces. A gusty wind had come up from the South. Someone said, "That rain was full of dust from Africa" and this new unfounded story spread through the town by a network ..."
October 14, 2016
This was really sweet, again. I didn't like how David took so much space, but I did like how much he liked Rose throughout the book, so that reconciled me with it. Plus the pull of the Casson's family, particularly the found parts, is just super strong.
I was completely blindsided by
Michael's rose delivery service was very sweet, too, and I was a bit annoyed with Caddy's actions in this, but I guess it fits her character. I don't have access to the next books, though, so I'm annoyed that I'll end this current read-through
I was completely blindsided by
Michael's rose delivery service was very sweet, too, and I was a bit annoyed with Caddy's actions in this, but I guess it fits her character. I don't have access to the next books, though, so I'm annoyed that I'll end this current read-through
June 4, 2011
Wanting to hug Rose and throttle her parents seems to be the emotions these books are evoking of me the most. Eve's obliviousness to her children irks me. I don't like to smother my kids, but I do not find remembering to feed them to be a particular challenge. I would like to think I would notice if my 8 year turned to a life of crime. And I hated Bill by the end. These kids are plucky though and they have each other. And they have Sarah. They also get another new addition in the form of David, recently reformed bully. Despite how I want to cringe at the lackadaisical parenting, I love that these books show how messy wonderful family is in all it's complexities.
December 27, 2019
Oh, gosh, more Casson craziness than I can begin to explain! Rose and Indigo are sad because Tom went back to America and hasn’t written or called, Caddy is conflicted about the gorgeous diamond and platinum engagement ring she accepted from Darling Michael, and Saffron is suddenly determined to find out who her biological father is.
These characters continue to delight. Read this series if you enjoy character-driven juvenile fiction; I’d recommend it to adults as well as children. Start with Saffy’s Angel to get the full effect.
These characters continue to delight. Read this series if you enjoy character-driven juvenile fiction; I’d recommend it to adults as well as children. Start with Saffy’s Angel to get the full effect.
December 5, 2024
I SAID IT! I said that their BITCH ASS DADDY Bill was a DIIIIIIIIIIICK and I was RIGHT!!!! Not only is it legitimately fucked up to me that you don't want your literal family, your flesh and blood, your fucking CHILDREN, coming to your apartment in London to sleepover (only visit because it's his peaceful space away from them and he hates messiness 🙄🖕🏾), it's fucked up that the children don't even realise that there's something very wrong with this. While Rose showing up at your apartment the day before your fly off to New York is alarming and her throwing a tantrum (she's 8 YEARS OLD btw) is annoying (because it's ALWAYS annoying when a child throws a tantrum), that is NO REASON to start SMOKING AGAIN after you'd literally quit it.
Then to act like this and be the type of asshole who thinks that some other people's art isn't real art (but his is real art) is so disgustingly pretentious of him.
Not only that, this MOTHERFUCKER apparently CHEATED on his wife and Saffron, who we all thought was the children's cousin, is actually HIS CHILD because he went and fucked his wife's twin sister. Then he took Rose with him to New York because he'd rather she didn't go back home and tell the rest of the family that his fuckwit self cheated and Saffron was the product. He didn't even do it because of the begging Rose had done to take her with him but because he wanted to save his own skin even if just for a little bit because he didn't want people to know of his shameful act.
Oh and this happened in Indigo Star but it's so fucked up that Rose realized that her father, her darling daddy, will never fully understand her at the ripe age of 8 years old. She realized it when he thought she was upset about her painting on the kitchen wall but her picture on it was very intentional and while everyone marvelled at it, he saw it as a problem to be fixed because to him making art on non-canvas or paper surfaces isn't real art either. Him thinking that that was her problem literally shows how he barely knows her (and probably all his children) because everyone else close to their family knows that she doesn't like drawing on paper.
I don't think words can properly describe the sheer amount of rage whenever I see his character in the book. I'd say more but I don't want to spend more energy typing about that dick.
Also I took 2 stars off because no one was angry at him enough for long enough.
Then to act like this and be the type of asshole who thinks that some other people's art isn't real art (but his is real art) is so disgustingly pretentious of him.
Not only that, this MOTHERFUCKER apparently CHEATED on his wife and Saffron, who we all thought was the children's cousin, is actually HIS CHILD because he went and fucked his wife's twin sister. Then he took Rose with him to New York because he'd rather she didn't go back home and tell the rest of the family that his fuckwit self cheated and Saffron was the product. He didn't even do it because of the begging Rose had done to take her with him but because he wanted to save his own skin even if just for a little bit because he didn't want people to know of his shameful act.
Oh and this happened in Indigo Star but it's so fucked up that Rose realized that her father, her darling daddy, will never fully understand her at the ripe age of 8 years old. She realized it when he thought she was upset about her painting on the kitchen wall but her picture on it was very intentional and while everyone marvelled at it, he saw it as a problem to be fixed because to him making art on non-canvas or paper surfaces isn't real art either. Him thinking that that was her problem literally shows how he barely knows her (and probably all his children) because everyone else close to their family knows that she doesn't like drawing on paper.
I don't think words can properly describe the sheer amount of rage whenever I see his character in the book. I'd say more but I don't want to spend more energy typing about that dick.
Also I took 2 stars off because no one was angry at him enough for long enough.
June 3, 2008
I would say that Permanent Rose is a sort of continuation of Indigo's star. Although, this time, the story revolves more around "Darling" Rose than before. Once again, the Cassons are up to their usual tricks and Rose is at the center of them all. Personally, I think that Rose is the funniest so it was great to read more about her. The third Casson book is definitely not disappointing!
April 13, 2011
It is even clearer than in the last book that Rose is McKay's favorite character.
June 18, 2019
Thank you Grace for purchasing these books for me so I can re-read them every few months.
June 15, 2019
Hot summers and stolen roses and banana chew candy. A painter mom, business dad. And lost young loves.
My review:
The cover doesn't fit the book somehow, though the writing style is comfortable. A good read for a sunny summer afternoon about a young girl and her wild family. Tasted to me like sticky Lemon popsicles.
Content:
Two girls sunbathe naked a character walks in on them, but no sensual content is written.
A character is unfaithful to his spouse and currently living with a girlfriend.
No language or violence. Mention of a cut and bloody knees.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 stars.
My Instagram is @ofsunflowersandbooks
My review:
The cover doesn't fit the book somehow, though the writing style is comfortable. A good read for a sunny summer afternoon about a young girl and her wild family. Tasted to me like sticky Lemon popsicles.
Content:
Two girls sunbathe naked a character walks in on them, but no sensual content is written.
A character is unfaithful to his spouse and currently living with a girlfriend.
No language or violence. Mention of a cut and bloody knees.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 stars.
My Instagram is @ofsunflowersandbooks
June 29, 2020
Of all the Cassons, Rose is the most appealing. She is an artist, and the decisions she makes are often based on things others cannot see. She shoplifts because she makes better patterns by lifting a few things and placing them elsewhere; she steals her sister's engagement ring because if Caddy doesn't have it, she can't give it back and break her engagement; she draws anywhere but on paper, which she doesn't like. Of course this gets her in hot water repeatedly. We love her all the more.
Read
May 24, 2019Roses father has taken off to England so he can pursue his art career. Roses mother is at the hospital painting murals. Caddy is getting married to Darling Michael. Indigo plays his guitar and reads. And Saffy is busy helping her disabled friend, Sarah. Rose is left to her own resources, and takes up a life of petty crime, including shoplifting. She misses her friend Tom, who has moved to america and hasn't been in touch that much like he said he would. I really liked this book. I believe it was a better book than the first. If I had to rate it I would rate it a 4 out of 5.
August 20, 2021
4.5 stars
April 4, 2023
Saffy's Angel ★★★★☆
Indigo's Star ★★★★☆
Permanent Rose ★★★☆☆ (3.5)
Follows directly after Indigo's Star. Love the Cassons, but a bit of the charm was gone in this installment. I think this was largely because of the author's choice to focus heavily on Rose, and somewhat on a new character David. It remains obvious that Rose is McKay's favorite character, and as such she must be every other character's favorite person as well. This is certainly cute in some circumstances (I love Michael's rose delivery) but has also come to be somewhat tiring (literally what was the point of David and his sudden concern for Rose's feelings). Rose's shoplifting habit isn't addressed as meaningfully as it should have been. What happened to Rose's glasses?
As for the other Cassons:
I continue to ship Indigo and Tom; I mean, they spend their time emailing each other about music and Morte d'Arthur, what else am I supposed to think?
Oh, Caddy. I'm quite looking forward to her being the focus of the next book (unless Rose manages to hijack it the way she does Indigo's Star).
I'm a big fan of Saffy (and Sarah) as a teen and I wish we got a bit more of her, especially regarding the fallout of the hunt for her biological father.
God, Bill Casson is the WORST. I didn't actually think I could dislike him more than I already did, but hoo boy. At least now he and Eve are officially separated (or "on a break" I guess). Samantha was a surprising delight. Bummer that Darling Derek hit the curb.
All in all, Permanent Rose was a bit of a stumbling block in the series, but I'm happy to continue on to Caddy Ever After.
TW: infidelity , separated parents, dead cat, mention of past bullying, teenager sunbathing nude is seen by another teen, mention of past infant illness and hospitalization
Indigo's Star ★★★★☆
Permanent Rose ★★★☆☆ (3.5)
Follows directly after Indigo's Star. Love the Cassons, but a bit of the charm was gone in this installment. I think this was largely because of the author's choice to focus heavily on Rose, and somewhat on a new character David. It remains obvious that Rose is McKay's favorite character, and as such she must be every other character's favorite person as well. This is certainly cute in some circumstances (I love Michael's rose delivery) but has also come to be somewhat tiring (literally what was the point of David and his sudden concern for Rose's feelings). Rose's shoplifting habit isn't addressed as meaningfully as it should have been. What happened to Rose's glasses?
As for the other Cassons:
I continue to ship Indigo and Tom; I mean, they spend their time emailing each other about music and Morte d'Arthur, what else am I supposed to think?
Oh, Caddy. I'm quite looking forward to her being the focus of the next book (unless Rose manages to hijack it the way she does Indigo's Star).
I'm a big fan of Saffy (and Sarah) as a teen and I wish we got a bit more of her, especially regarding the fallout of the hunt for her biological father.
God, Bill Casson is the WORST. I didn't actually think I could dislike him more than I already did, but hoo boy. At least now he and Eve are officially separated (or "on a break" I guess). Samantha was a surprising delight. Bummer that Darling Derek hit the curb.
All in all, Permanent Rose was a bit of a stumbling block in the series, but I'm happy to continue on to Caddy Ever After.
TW: infidelity , separated parents, dead cat, mention of past bullying, teenager sunbathing nude is seen by another teen, mention of past infant illness and hospitalization
January 19, 2016
13 October, 2013
Rose is the youngest member of the Casson family. That means that everyone leaving is an ongoing issue, whether it's Caddie and college, or Bill, the father, who doesn't make the trip up from London as often as he once did. Fortunately, Rose is resourceful, as well as being the most gifted artist in the family, and she always has ideas.
I think the reason these books are so appealing is a combination of rather old-school qualities: the "family of eccentrics" goes back at least to Pride and Prejudice, and then there is the "school friends have adventures" which is at least a hundred years old by now. McKay allows her characters a great deal of unsupervised, unstructured time in which to pursue their interests, and plot, and get into trouble.
Highly recommended series for fans of The Penderwicks.
Library copy
Rose is the youngest member of the Casson family. That means that everyone leaving is an ongoing issue, whether it's Caddie and college, or Bill, the father, who doesn't make the trip up from London as often as he once did. Fortunately, Rose is resourceful, as well as being the most gifted artist in the family, and she always has ideas.
I think the reason these books are so appealing is a combination of rather old-school qualities: the "family of eccentrics" goes back at least to Pride and Prejudice, and then there is the "school friends have adventures" which is at least a hundred years old by now. McKay allows her characters a great deal of unsupervised, unstructured time in which to pursue their interests, and plot, and get into trouble.
Highly recommended series for fans of The Penderwicks.
Library copy
August 8, 2007
I think Saffy's Angel was much better, being the first book in the series about the unusual Casson family of artists. I do like Rose's fiesty personality in this story, and the different perspectives, but it wasn't nearly as magical as the first book, or Indigo's Star, the second one. I'll have to read Caddy Ever After and then I will have finished the series.
October 18, 2007
It's so weird sometimes knowing a child is wiser than a fully grown adult.A child can give some message through their words and gestures that awakes sinful adults.This novel contains a more-than-you-can-expect wise remarks a child could say.Not only a good novel to read by depressed youngsters,but also a tired adult who is depressed with everyday's life.
August 5, 2016
Hilary McKay is an absolute master of her craft. I keep wanting to share quotes from the book, but they're not that effective alone. They're just the reflection of a couple hundred pages of simple sentences, each building a link in the chain, until you get to that last simple sentence and put a hand over your mouth in shock and delight.
I love everybody here so much. So much.
I love everybody here so much. So much.
April 13, 2014
Entertaining in the moment, but not particularly memorable. And it's unique in terms of the rest of children's literature, but not in terms of Hilary McKay's novels; I'd have welcomed something a little less of a retread of her previous works.
This is probably the weakest book of the series.
This is probably the weakest book of the series.
September 14, 2025
I love the Casson family series by McKay.
8/19. A delightful reread.
8/19. A delightful reread.
Read
July 4, 2021i cannot keep rating these because it will skew the system but obviously i cried
August 27, 2020
I read this a lot as a kid, I loved the cover and Permanent Rose was always my favourite colour. It's much shorter than I remembered and jams a lot of plots into a small space. I like it though, certainly when I was 10 I didn't have an issue with the quick plot shifts!
The audio version is well read, though at times I found the volume on the character voices wildly changeable, a volume at which Indigo was normal had Eve and Caddy whispering and Rose and David yelling the house down, bit frustrating for bedtime listening!
The audio version is well read, though at times I found the volume on the character voices wildly changeable, a volume at which Indigo was normal had Eve and Caddy whispering and Rose and David yelling the house down, bit frustrating for bedtime listening!
September 12, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! The previous is still my favorite, however this one is so good. McKay really knows how to express emotions in a really subtle way. I wish all children's book would be as funny and deep as this is one is.
Eu realmente amei esse livro! O anterior ainda é o meu favorito, mas esse ainda é bom. McKay realmente consegue expressar emoções de um modo muito sutil. Eu queria que todos os livros de criança fossem engraçados e profundos assim como esse.
Eu realmente amei esse livro! O anterior ainda é o meu favorito, mas esse ainda é bom. McKay realmente consegue expressar emoções de um modo muito sutil. Eu queria que todos os livros de criança fossem engraçados e profundos assim como esse.
May 29, 2022
3.5 stars.
would have been 2.5 if it wasn’t a casson family book as the casson family are immediately entitled to at least a 3, however i felt that this one lacked considerable charm compared to its predecessors, in terms of the storyline and general writing quality.
would have been 3 if it wasn’t for the ending. sarah and david and tom. I literally cried. tom is my favourite thing in the world.
also, i love samantha, and the saffy's-dad plot twist was unreal.
would have been 2.5 if it wasn’t a casson family book as the casson family are immediately entitled to at least a 3, however i felt that this one lacked considerable charm compared to its predecessors, in terms of the storyline and general writing quality.
would have been 3 if it wasn’t for the ending. sarah and david and tom. I literally cried. tom is my favourite thing in the world.
also, i love samantha, and the saffy's-dad plot twist was unreal.
June 22, 2020
I really should have read this quicker! You need to just sit down & read for these books & I spent way too long dilly dallying at the beginning smh
This was the first one where I had no recollection of from my childhood - I still loved it of course but not as much as the first 2 (mainly because Rose is my least favourite Casson family member)
This was the first one where I had no recollection of from my childhood - I still loved it of course but not as much as the first 2 (mainly because Rose is my least favourite Casson family member)
November 3, 2018
I finally got to read more about the Casson family; this book was a treat. Hilary McKay has a great talent with characterization and dialogue -- put to great use in creating this family as such a quirky, loveable mess.
PG
PG
May 18, 2019
This book made me laugh so hard. Typical, colorful and crazy Casson family at it's best here. LOVED the cake baking adventure Saffy and Sarah had...lots of plot surprises in this book though that snuck up on me.
May 13, 2020
Wow! I did not expect this book to be so great! I loved how you could see the growth of the characters and how a character’s reputation can change. I would really recommend it to anyone who would like a lighter read. The only problem with it, is that you can’t put it down!
January 7, 2022
The best of the series so far. How could I have missed this series? It is just so good.
(I must say, these books have terrible covers! Not that I judge a book that way but it might explain why they aren’t as popular as they deserve to be)
(I must say, these books have terrible covers! Not that I judge a book that way but it might explain why they aren’t as popular as they deserve to be)
April 17, 2019
Just when I thought this family couldn't get any more messed up...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews