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הקסם של רוזמרי
רוזמרי ואדם תמימי דעים בכל נושא כמעט. שניהם מסכימים שלמילים יש כוח, ולספרים יש חשיבות. כמובן, יש ספרים חשובים יותר מאחרים. רוב הספרים האהובים על רוזמרי הגיעו לידיה בהמלצת אחותו המבוגרת של אדם, שֶׁלְבִּי.
עכשיו רוזמרי ואדם מצאו ספר ישן. לא סתם ישן – הוא ממש עתיק. ייתכן אפילו שהיה שייך לשייקספיר. קרוב יותר לזמננו, הוא התגלגל לידיה של קוֹנְסְטַנְס, משוררת ישישה שזיכרונה נמחק כמעט כליל. לפעמים מופיע כתב יד מסתורי על דפי הספר המצהיבים, לפעמים לא. מוזר? כן. קסם, או כישוף? לא ייתכן. אבל אולי בכל זאת...
מתברר שיש לספר הזה צד אפל. הוא מתקשר לזיכרון, או נכון יותר לאובדן הזיכרון - לשליחת אדם שאתה אוהב אל תהום הנשייה, אל הריק. כששלבי נעלמת, רוזמרי ואדם פותחים בחיפוש נואש להשיב אותה – ולשמר את זיכרונותיהם לגביה, שלא יאבדו.
עכשיו רוזמרי ואדם מצאו ספר ישן. לא סתם ישן – הוא ממש עתיק. ייתכן אפילו שהיה שייך לשייקספיר. קרוב יותר לזמננו, הוא התגלגל לידיה של קוֹנְסְטַנְס, משוררת ישישה שזיכרונה נמחק כמעט כליל. לפעמים מופיע כתב יד מסתורי על דפי הספר המצהיבים, לפעמים לא. מוזר? כן. קסם, או כישוף? לא ייתכן. אבל אולי בכל זאת...
מתברר שיש לספר הזה צד אפל. הוא מתקשר לזיכרון, או נכון יותר לאובדן הזיכרון - לשליחת אדם שאתה אוהב אל תהום הנשייה, אל הריק. כששלבי נעלמת, רוזמרי ואדם פותחים בחיפוש נואש להשיב אותה – ולשמר את זיכרונותיהם לגביה, שלא יאבדו.
248 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2015
27 people are currently reading
2853 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Zimmerman
4 books52 followersVirginia Zimmerman grew up in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., though she was named for a great aunt, not for her state. When she was young, she enjoyed writing and talking to friends about books, so she decided to grow up into a person who could do those things all the time. She was an English major at Carleton College, and she went to graduate school in English at the University of Virginia. All together, she enjoyed twenty years of formal education, much of it focused on reading.
When she finished school, she wasn’t done reading, writing and talking to friends about books, so she became an English professor at Bucknell University. This means—and she still pinches herself to make sure this is real—she gets to read and write and talk about books for a living. Most of the classes she teaches are about British literature from the nineteenth century or children’s fiction. She loves both.
Virginia also loves Catalunya, a beautiful region in the northeast corner of Spain. Her husband, Jordi, is part of a large and wonderful Catalan family, and, for twenty years, Virginia has been traveling with him to visit Barcelona and lots of picturesque villages in the mountains, the countryside and on the Mediterranean Sea. The family has become her own, and Catalunya has become her second home.
Virginia’s first home is a two-hundred-year-old house in a small town on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, where she gets to read and write and talk about books with dear friends, inspiring students and beloved family. She lives with her husband, three children and little white dog.
When she finished school, she wasn’t done reading, writing and talking to friends about books, so she became an English professor at Bucknell University. This means—and she still pinches herself to make sure this is real—she gets to read and write and talk about books for a living. Most of the classes she teaches are about British literature from the nineteenth century or children’s fiction. She loves both.
Virginia also loves Catalunya, a beautiful region in the northeast corner of Spain. Her husband, Jordi, is part of a large and wonderful Catalan family, and, for twenty years, Virginia has been traveling with him to visit Barcelona and lots of picturesque villages in the mountains, the countryside and on the Mediterranean Sea. The family has become her own, and Catalunya has become her second home.
Virginia’s first home is a two-hundred-year-old house in a small town on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, where she gets to read and write and talk about books with dear friends, inspiring students and beloved family. She lives with her husband, three children and little white dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
March 10, 2016
I received an ARC of this book as a GR giveaway.
"I can't imagine having once loved certain books and not loving them anymore. In a way, you are what you read, so abandoning books is the same thing as abandoning a part of yourself. And the truth is that his leaving the books behind baffled me more than his leaving Mom and me behind."
Rosie, Adam, and Shelby are the best of friends. They have spent their childhood together going on adventures, and books are an integral part of their friendship. When Rosie moves into her father's old study, she finds an ancient book. Curiosity leads to dire consequences for Shelby, which forces Rosie and Adam to search for a way to reverse the spell.
The predominant theme is loss. Thirteen year old Rosie has suffered loss, both physical and emotional. Her father abandoned the family a decade earlier, and she struggles with his physical and emotional absence. Rosie is also dealing with the fact that Shelby, her friend who is three years her senior, is spending more time with new friends and becoming more mature. The emotional pain for Rosie is apparent, but nothing compares to Shelby physically disappearing into the void.
Memory is another prevailing theme. Rosie and Adam constantly struggle to keep Shelby alive in their memory in order to not lose her forever. There is even a character that has Alzheimer's disease.
The Rosemary Spell pays homage to some wonderful children's fantasy novels and makes many references to the work of Shakespeare. This book pulled me in very quickly, and the suspense was delightful. Into the second half I felt that the book dragged a little and became a bit repetitive, but this wasn't enough to dampen my enthusiasm. The ending was climactic with palpable real life danger. I would highly recommend it.
"I can't imagine having once loved certain books and not loving them anymore. In a way, you are what you read, so abandoning books is the same thing as abandoning a part of yourself. And the truth is that his leaving the books behind baffled me more than his leaving Mom and me behind."
Rosie, Adam, and Shelby are the best of friends. They have spent their childhood together going on adventures, and books are an integral part of their friendship. When Rosie moves into her father's old study, she finds an ancient book. Curiosity leads to dire consequences for Shelby, which forces Rosie and Adam to search for a way to reverse the spell.
The predominant theme is loss. Thirteen year old Rosie has suffered loss, both physical and emotional. Her father abandoned the family a decade earlier, and she struggles with his physical and emotional absence. Rosie is also dealing with the fact that Shelby, her friend who is three years her senior, is spending more time with new friends and becoming more mature. The emotional pain for Rosie is apparent, but nothing compares to Shelby physically disappearing into the void.
Memory is another prevailing theme. Rosie and Adam constantly struggle to keep Shelby alive in their memory in order to not lose her forever. There is even a character that has Alzheimer's disease.
The Rosemary Spell pays homage to some wonderful children's fantasy novels and makes many references to the work of Shakespeare. This book pulled me in very quickly, and the suspense was delightful. Into the second half I felt that the book dragged a little and became a bit repetitive, but this wasn't enough to dampen my enthusiasm. The ending was climactic with palpable real life danger. I would highly recommend it.
November 30, 2015
This is an interesting book, combining literary criticism with wishful fantasy. For every middle school student learning about Shakespearean sonnets or modern poetry and wishing tirelessly that just once, an ancient book of sorcery might get tangled up in the homework assignment, this book is perfect. The tension of the story, and any fear or horror that might exist, really occurs by way of repetition. And the author does this very skillfully. For this age group, it's the fear of what might happen that sends shivers up the spine rather than what does happen. As an adult reader, I found the repetition a tad too much, but I applaud its use in the story. I think this is a really well crafted tale for the book-ish reader who likes mystery and clues in old books and disparate sources. A fun and charming story with a strong mystery element. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 10, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover
The Rosemary Spell really drew me in and refused to let go. This book has such an amazing and creative concept, and a mystery all rolled into one. Mystery is a genre that I have been loving recently and this book did not disappoint. Geared for a middle grade audience, The Rosemary Spell is quite enjoyable and makes for a quick read.
The Rosemary Spell has such an interesting concept! There is witchcraft, an old book filled with secrets, and so many more magical elements. In a nutshell, the main characters, Adam and Rosie, find a book that is seemingly blank, but soon fill with writing. The book is very powerful and has the ability to make their friend, Shelby, go missing. It was so much fun following Adam and Rosie as they try and bring Shelby back into our world.
The mysterious nature of The Rosemary Spell is what hooks the reader from the onset. It is sort of like a puzzle with plenty of mystery to whet your appetite. The reader can solve the pixel of the old book and Shelby’s disappearance along with the characters. This book is a real enjoyable thrill as the characters struggle to remember who Shelby is, and keeps the reader flipping pages madly.
Although I really loved The Rosemary Spell, I would say that this story is definitely quite simplistic. The puzzle inside isn’t overly complex, and there is definitely no major plot twist at the end. Also, I found the book to be pretty predictable, however it certainly did not lessen my enjoyment for it. Middle graders, though, will most likely enjoy the fun and fast paced adventure.
The Rosemary Spell is such a magical novel that is filled with puzzles. It is quite fun to solve the mysteries along with the character! I am certain that middle graders will fall in love with story and its wonderful cast of characters. I recommend this book to someone who is looking for a quick mystery to read.
The Rosemary Spell really drew me in and refused to let go. This book has such an amazing and creative concept, and a mystery all rolled into one. Mystery is a genre that I have been loving recently and this book did not disappoint. Geared for a middle grade audience, The Rosemary Spell is quite enjoyable and makes for a quick read.
The Rosemary Spell has such an interesting concept! There is witchcraft, an old book filled with secrets, and so many more magical elements. In a nutshell, the main characters, Adam and Rosie, find a book that is seemingly blank, but soon fill with writing. The book is very powerful and has the ability to make their friend, Shelby, go missing. It was so much fun following Adam and Rosie as they try and bring Shelby back into our world.
The mysterious nature of The Rosemary Spell is what hooks the reader from the onset. It is sort of like a puzzle with plenty of mystery to whet your appetite. The reader can solve the pixel of the old book and Shelby’s disappearance along with the characters. This book is a real enjoyable thrill as the characters struggle to remember who Shelby is, and keeps the reader flipping pages madly.
Although I really loved The Rosemary Spell, I would say that this story is definitely quite simplistic. The puzzle inside isn’t overly complex, and there is definitely no major plot twist at the end. Also, I found the book to be pretty predictable, however it certainly did not lessen my enjoyment for it. Middle graders, though, will most likely enjoy the fun and fast paced adventure.
The Rosemary Spell is such a magical novel that is filled with puzzles. It is quite fun to solve the mysteries along with the character! I am certain that middle graders will fall in love with story and its wonderful cast of characters. I recommend this book to someone who is looking for a quick mystery to read.
December 14, 2015
3.5 Stars review to come
October 3, 2018
3.5 stars Okay, before beginning this review one must understand something important. I am not a poetry fan. And even Shakespeare's (as often referenced in this book) can be a real tightrope read for me. So with how much was in here and circled around these ideas, it challenged my enjoyment on a personal level. That said, it is well written. I enjoyed it better the second time around (and my re-reading should tell you something too!).
I really liked the kids and their attempts to remember and bring Shelby back. This was interesting as that is the name of a cousin of mine who pulled a disappearing act in real life for awhile so it was an interesting correlation for me. It was sad watching them forget, struggling to help the other remember! Has a mild emotional pull. Overall, well done. I will happily read more by Virginia Zimmerman in the future.
I really liked the kids and their attempts to remember and bring Shelby back. This was interesting as that is the name of a cousin of mine who pulled a disappearing act in real life for awhile so it was an interesting correlation for me. It was sad watching them forget, struggling to help the other remember! Has a mild emotional pull. Overall, well done. I will happily read more by Virginia Zimmerman in the future.
September 7, 2016
This is one of those books that I wouldn't normally read, but the author was speaking at the local library and I wanted to attend the presentation. So I got a copy, read it really quickly, and was happy I did. The Rosemary Spell was a fun read with a bunch of interesting literary references. I also learned some things about herbs and Shakespeare.
Even more than the book, I enjoyed the author. Virginia Zimmerman spoke so well and answered every single question that was asked of her. She was both kind and patient, and she did a wonderful job of explaining her writing process. If you ever have the chance to listen to her speak, seize the opportunity.
Overall, The Rosemary Spell is a great little mystery that will leave you satisfied... but also thoughtfully questioning some of the magic that occurs within its pages.
Even more than the book, I enjoyed the author. Virginia Zimmerman spoke so well and answered every single question that was asked of her. She was both kind and patient, and she did a wonderful job of explaining her writing process. If you ever have the chance to listen to her speak, seize the opportunity.
Overall, The Rosemary Spell is a great little mystery that will leave you satisfied... but also thoughtfully questioning some of the magic that occurs within its pages.
June 5, 2018
I loved this book....It's good for all ages (I'm 64)
It talked about memory and it was simply a good read!
I'd recommend it to everyone.
It talked about memory and it was simply a good read!
I'd recommend it to everyone.
November 25, 2015
Lately I’ve been slowly exploring middle grade fiction, something I haven’t done since I was actually a middle grade reader, trying to find more and more titles for my daughter, who’s turning out to be quite the voracious reader. I must confess that I’m sometimes finding it difficult to see MG reads as she would see them and not judge them through adult eyes. But every once in a while there comes a book appropriate for all ages, beautiful and educational, a read that promotes all the right values and teaches all the right lessons.
The Rosemary Spell was quite a surprise for me. The second I read the words ‘literary puzzle’ in the synopsis, I knew I must read it, and read it I did, in a single breath no less. It is a wonderful story, warm and intriguing, with young but flawed characters with genuine fears and problems. It’s a tiny bit magical in a very literal sense, but the true magic is in Rosemary’s character, her sorrow for her father, her quiet anger at her mother, her feeling of abandonment caused by a friend who just started high school and the young, brilliant mind behind it all.
We are led through this adventure by a creative, smart girl, daughter of two academics, a brilliant mind, but young and vulnerable too. Rosemary discovers a secret diary under the floorboards in her room, empty pages that seem to slowly reveal words and paragraphs, only to hide them again minutes later. Rosemary and Adam are determined to discover the truth about the diary, but to do that, they have to be resourceful, creative, and very good at interpreting poetry.
In a way, this is a coming of age story, but the most prominent feeling is that of being left behind. Abandoned by her father and outgrown by one of her best friends and role models, Rosemary struggles with very real feelings while trying her best to solve the magical mystery. The setting, the characters and the very idea behind this book are lovely.
My favorite thing about this story is that it develops a love for poetry. Rosemary and Adam search for hidden meanings, interpret Shakespeare and other poets, read and explore biographies and collections. It’s an exciting story, but its educational value is enormous. I really think young readers are going to adore this one.
June 26, 2020
The Rosemary Spell is a wonderful, young adult novel especially geared toward the bookish. Edith Nesbit and Madeleine L’Engle would have loved this book and both have several mentions within. I read every single children’s book mentioned (with one exception) and they range from Alice in Wonderland to the more current Harry Potter series and Rebecca Stead’s outstanding When You Reach Me. The only book I haven’t read was Pelagia’s Boats and I searched and searched for it, reasoning since I love all the other books mentioned, I would love this one. In the appendix of the book, Virginia Zimmerman kindly lists all the books owned by Rosemary and noted that she plans on writing Pelagia’s Boats in the future. I will continue to look for it and hope she writes it soon.
The Rosemary Spell is the kind of book Edith Nesbit made famous. There is fantasy, but it is grounded in reality. There are 3 children, Rosemary, Adam and Shelby, with little parental oversight and they love books and have wonderful adventures. Rosemary and Adam find an ancient book hidden in her home and that’s when their fantastical adventure takes off.
So many books written for children today are crap, but this was a true gem that parents will enjoy as much as their children.
The Rosemary Spell is the kind of book Edith Nesbit made famous. There is fantasy, but it is grounded in reality. There are 3 children, Rosemary, Adam and Shelby, with little parental oversight and they love books and have wonderful adventures. Rosemary and Adam find an ancient book hidden in her home and that’s when their fantastical adventure takes off.
So many books written for children today are crap, but this was a true gem that parents will enjoy as much as their children.
November 25, 2015
It's not often I find myself sticking through a book that I find dull from beginning to end, but that's what happened with The Rosemary Spell. I was waiting for something interesting to occur, for the action to pick up or the characters to do something exciting, but none of that happened. There's an inordinate amount of repetition in the book that can be partly explained by the fact the characters are dealing with a loss of memory on two levels: their own and the Alzheimer's suffered by the poet Rosemary and Adam are researching/talking to. The idea is intriguing but the execution felt rather like someone's National Novel Writing Month novel in that there was just so much repetition of the same phrases over and over and over again to make it book length. As someone who works with the target age group, it's a hard sell even though I'm all for trying to get middle grade readers interested in poetry and the classics.
Note: ARC received via Amazon Vine in exchange for review.
Note: ARC received via Amazon Vine in exchange for review.
August 7, 2019
rosemary is for remembrance...
All I know is that this entire story was utterly sad. BEAUTIFUL and repetitious and sad. Between Constance's Alzheimer's and the kids making Shelby disappear and then forgetting and remembering it. it was just too much!
4.5 stars. I think the repetition annoyed me a tad bit but I really enjoyed reading this.
"Trying to hang on to what's gone just causes pain. It's better to focus on what we have."
All I know is that this entire story was utterly sad. BEAUTIFUL and repetitious and sad. Between Constance's Alzheimer's and the kids making Shelby disappear and then forgetting and remembering it. it was just too much!
4.5 stars. I think the repetition annoyed me a tad bit but I really enjoyed reading this.
"Trying to hang on to what's gone just causes pain. It's better to focus on what we have."
June 13, 2024
4.5! ⭐️
December 16, 2015
When I got my hands on the advanced copy of The Rosemary Spell, I had no idea how difficult of a time I was going to have reviewing it. Before you assume the worst, what I mean by this is, it’s such a great book, I was actually stumped for a few days in trying to figure out how to best recap this book as well as how to convey the excitement I felt over this book.
This book falls within the YA category, and it is a great book that every young adult who has a passion for reading should read at least once! It’s part mystery, part puzzle and definitely thrilling. I could not put this book down once I got started. Being a book lover myself, I was captivated by this story of Rosie and her best friend Adam (and his sister Shelby) who loved books as much as I do. They have all sorts of books they’ve read and re-read together, books they keep closest to their nightstand in case they need a specific one for ‘emergency reading’ (raise your hand if you currently have at least three books within arms reach! I know I do!), as well as books organized in different but specific orders.
There is one quote that stuck with me from the moment I read it, and that I kept in mind the entire time I read this book, “In a way, you are what you read, so abandoning books is the same thing as abandoning a part of yourself.” Even typing this gives me chills because it resonates so deep within me; this quote is so true. Think about it (and this doesn’t include the books we are told to read for class, I’m talking about the books we select and read on our own time) – how many times have you re-read that battered copy in your library, and why do you keep going back to that book? Also, the books we choose say so much about us, whether we realize it or not. Seriously, think about this for a minute and make your own conclusions about yourself.
Back to the story, Rosie’s father just disappeared from her life, and they moved into a house that is two centuries old that belonged to one of their favorite poets. Rosie and Adam end up finding this old, leather bound book that is unbelievably made from parchment! If we recall from our history books, books or anything written on parchment for that matter, dates pretty far back so it’s technically valuable. As they try to figure out what is in the book that looks like a diary, they use it to write down some of their own things and it seems like some of the stuff within the book has disappeared, which makes them wonder what is really going on.
One day, when the three of them decide to row to an island for a day of fun, Rosie brings the book with her and is showing Shelby as well as trying to let her know they think the book is magic. Next thing they know, Shelby disappears and they cant remember why she disappears then that turns into not knowing who disappeared which turns into them feeling like they should remember someone or something but for the life of them, they cant remember!
The Rosemary Spell was written exceptionally and it draws you into their world; a world where magic exists and a world where you feel like you are right alongside the characters trying to figure out what is going on. Then, when you take a second to look away from the book, you realize that no, YOU still have your memory and that it’s just a book but…what if…what if what happened to Rosie and Adam can in fact happen to you in your life? How exciting would that be? Nothing is impossible!
This book brings your inner child back, where anything is possible and books are more than just words on paper – they are the vessels into another world, a ship with endless destinations. - Crystal
This book falls within the YA category, and it is a great book that every young adult who has a passion for reading should read at least once! It’s part mystery, part puzzle and definitely thrilling. I could not put this book down once I got started. Being a book lover myself, I was captivated by this story of Rosie and her best friend Adam (and his sister Shelby) who loved books as much as I do. They have all sorts of books they’ve read and re-read together, books they keep closest to their nightstand in case they need a specific one for ‘emergency reading’ (raise your hand if you currently have at least three books within arms reach! I know I do!), as well as books organized in different but specific orders.
There is one quote that stuck with me from the moment I read it, and that I kept in mind the entire time I read this book, “In a way, you are what you read, so abandoning books is the same thing as abandoning a part of yourself.” Even typing this gives me chills because it resonates so deep within me; this quote is so true. Think about it (and this doesn’t include the books we are told to read for class, I’m talking about the books we select and read on our own time) – how many times have you re-read that battered copy in your library, and why do you keep going back to that book? Also, the books we choose say so much about us, whether we realize it or not. Seriously, think about this for a minute and make your own conclusions about yourself.
Back to the story, Rosie’s father just disappeared from her life, and they moved into a house that is two centuries old that belonged to one of their favorite poets. Rosie and Adam end up finding this old, leather bound book that is unbelievably made from parchment! If we recall from our history books, books or anything written on parchment for that matter, dates pretty far back so it’s technically valuable. As they try to figure out what is in the book that looks like a diary, they use it to write down some of their own things and it seems like some of the stuff within the book has disappeared, which makes them wonder what is really going on.
One day, when the three of them decide to row to an island for a day of fun, Rosie brings the book with her and is showing Shelby as well as trying to let her know they think the book is magic. Next thing they know, Shelby disappears and they cant remember why she disappears then that turns into not knowing who disappeared which turns into them feeling like they should remember someone or something but for the life of them, they cant remember!
The Rosemary Spell was written exceptionally and it draws you into their world; a world where magic exists and a world where you feel like you are right alongside the characters trying to figure out what is going on. Then, when you take a second to look away from the book, you realize that no, YOU still have your memory and that it’s just a book but…what if…what if what happened to Rosie and Adam can in fact happen to you in your life? How exciting would that be? Nothing is impossible!
This book brings your inner child back, where anything is possible and books are more than just words on paper – they are the vessels into another world, a ship with endless destinations. - Crystal
April 15, 2016
A short young adult novel that explores friendships, family and memory.
Rosemary and Adam are 13 and best friends who have long bonded over a shared love of books. Until recently Adam's 16 year old sister Shelby has been very much part of that friendship and another book lover, but she's growing up and beginning to leave Rosemary and Adam behind. It feels like the 16 year old who now wants to be called Michelle has forgotten them along with her other name.
Then the kids discover an old book with words in it that come and go, and a rhyming verse as part of it. And when they read the verse, Michelle actually becomes forgotten both for them and for reality. Fortunately they have a line from Shakespeare about Rosemary being for memory that allows them to remember her for a short time so that they can try and get her back.
Zimmerman is an English professor and it really shows. The kids have an enthusiasm for books, literature, words and poetry that I remember at the same age having for creepy-crawlies and blowing things up. And the adults are wonderfully supportive and interested in these things as well, from Rosemary's mother who is an English professor, to their Dead Poet's Society-like English teacher. The story also has a wonderful overlap with the original owner of the book who is a famous poet now living in a nursing home with advanced Alzheimer's. Again memory and forgetting is a huge part of this story.
The book is also extremely tight and well paced. For a relatively leisurely set of topics, Shakespeare and spells from poetry verses, once Michelle disappears the sense of urgency becomes palpable and the actual climax is quite action-packed.
Ultimately, this kept me up after when I should have gone to bed and made me tear up near the end. What more can you expect from an excellent book?
Rosemary and Adam are 13 and best friends who have long bonded over a shared love of books. Until recently Adam's 16 year old sister Shelby has been very much part of that friendship and another book lover, but she's growing up and beginning to leave Rosemary and Adam behind. It feels like the 16 year old who now wants to be called Michelle has forgotten them along with her other name.
Then the kids discover an old book with words in it that come and go, and a rhyming verse as part of it. And when they read the verse, Michelle actually becomes forgotten both for them and for reality. Fortunately they have a line from Shakespeare about Rosemary being for memory that allows them to remember her for a short time so that they can try and get her back.
Zimmerman is an English professor and it really shows. The kids have an enthusiasm for books, literature, words and poetry that I remember at the same age having for creepy-crawlies and blowing things up. And the adults are wonderfully supportive and interested in these things as well, from Rosemary's mother who is an English professor, to their Dead Poet's Society-like English teacher. The story also has a wonderful overlap with the original owner of the book who is a famous poet now living in a nursing home with advanced Alzheimer's. Again memory and forgetting is a huge part of this story.
The book is also extremely tight and well paced. For a relatively leisurely set of topics, Shakespeare and spells from poetry verses, once Michelle disappears the sense of urgency becomes palpable and the actual climax is quite action-packed.
Ultimately, this kept me up after when I should have gone to bed and made me tear up near the end. What more can you expect from an excellent book?
February 6, 2016
Happy Literary Friday! So sorry for posting this late, but I'm slow moving this morning. This week I read The Rosemary Spell by Virginia Zimmerman. It's this quarter's book club selection for the Page à Vu book club blog.
I really enjoyed this little book. It's characterized as a middle grades book probably because the main characters are in middle school, but I think YA readers will enjoy it, too, given the supernatural qualities of the magical book. Thought to be a Shakespeare false codex, the mysterious book contains a list of flowers and herbs found in Shakespeare's writings. The rosemary spell is from Ophelia's mad speech: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance. Pray [you], love, remember." This book would enhance the reading of Hamlet and/or Macbeth.
The codex itself is found in Rosie's room which at one time belonged to a famous poet, Constance Brook. Rosie and Adam are partners working on a classroom poetry project and decide to choose Constance as their topic. They believe she's their only hope in saving Shelby from the void, but when they visit her at the nursing home it's clear that Alzheimer's has taken its toll on her once sharp and creative brain. Constance does have a few lucid moments, and with her hints and their research, Rosie and Adam think they know how to rescue Shelby, but they are pushed for time because the spell becomes permanent at the start of the new moon.
The timing could not have been better for my reading this book because we are reading Hamlet now in school, and next week we'll read a few sonnets before moving on to Macbeth. I've already decided to assign The Rosemary Spell as independent reading next week.
Thanks to Beth, Angie, and Kenzie for a great choice for this quarter!
I really enjoyed this little book. It's characterized as a middle grades book probably because the main characters are in middle school, but I think YA readers will enjoy it, too, given the supernatural qualities of the magical book. Thought to be a Shakespeare false codex, the mysterious book contains a list of flowers and herbs found in Shakespeare's writings. The rosemary spell is from Ophelia's mad speech: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance. Pray [you], love, remember." This book would enhance the reading of Hamlet and/or Macbeth.
The codex itself is found in Rosie's room which at one time belonged to a famous poet, Constance Brook. Rosie and Adam are partners working on a classroom poetry project and decide to choose Constance as their topic. They believe she's their only hope in saving Shelby from the void, but when they visit her at the nursing home it's clear that Alzheimer's has taken its toll on her once sharp and creative brain. Constance does have a few lucid moments, and with her hints and their research, Rosie and Adam think they know how to rescue Shelby, but they are pushed for time because the spell becomes permanent at the start of the new moon.
The timing could not have been better for my reading this book because we are reading Hamlet now in school, and next week we'll read a few sonnets before moving on to Macbeth. I've already decided to assign The Rosemary Spell as independent reading next week.
Thanks to Beth, Angie, and Kenzie for a great choice for this quarter!
January 24, 2016
This is, to be honest, one of the best middle grade books I've ever read. In fact, I'd call this more a YA than an MG. A YA with layers of theme and story, and a realistic handling of growing up. Add to this multiple references to Shakespeare *and* YA/MG novels I love, and you've got an amazing story.
I actually read this in two days. And it was super tough to stop every two chapters and consider discussion questions for a Facebook group. But that was only because the pace was excellent and the tension was nonstop. The levels of meaning in this story were numerous: belief creates reality, community consensus drives identity, words are magic, friendships define us, poetry transcends, parenting is more about being there than being blood, memory shapes life, etc.
And above and beyond those concepts, I loved the consistent handling of friendship in the book. I love the author's less-is-more approach (similar to poetry, right?) although she avoided flowery metaphor and generalized vagueness. It was more like: here's a cake with multiple layers, and you bring your own subtext, but it's going to be delicious even if only on one layer. OK, maybe that simile didn't work as well as I hoped. Regardless, I loved this book and I highly recommend it to everyone who is OK with a novel where the protagonists are teenagers.
I actually read this in two days. And it was super tough to stop every two chapters and consider discussion questions for a Facebook group. But that was only because the pace was excellent and the tension was nonstop. The levels of meaning in this story were numerous: belief creates reality, community consensus drives identity, words are magic, friendships define us, poetry transcends, parenting is more about being there than being blood, memory shapes life, etc.
And above and beyond those concepts, I loved the consistent handling of friendship in the book. I love the author's less-is-more approach (similar to poetry, right?) although she avoided flowery metaphor and generalized vagueness. It was more like: here's a cake with multiple layers, and you bring your own subtext, but it's going to be delicious even if only on one layer. OK, maybe that simile didn't work as well as I hoped. Regardless, I loved this book and I highly recommend it to everyone who is OK with a novel where the protagonists are teenagers.
March 22, 2016
Books and words have always been important to Rosemary and her best friend Adam, so when they discover an extremely old book in a locked cabinet in her father’s old study, they are excited beyond words. Is it perhaps a secret, magical, ancient book? Did it once belong to Shakespeare or perhaps to Constance Brooke, an elderly poet suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who used to live in their house? When they begin to write in the book at school and strange Shakespearean verse magically appears and their friend Shelby suddenly disappears, solving the mystery becomes crucial. But is it too late and too dangerous to rescue Shelby? Can they retain their memories of her so she doesn’t permanently vanish? This fun, exciting tween mystery will appeal to readers and book lovers of all ages.
Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
July 9, 2016
A little younger than the age I usually read but the story was amazing! I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the characters were going to find their way out of the mess that had been made. I also really loved all the Shakespeare references.
October 13, 2016
I loved this book soooo much!!!
it is kind of a sad story, but it is one of the best books i have read!
I would only read it ones though, it's just a one time read for me.
it is kind of a sad story, but it is one of the best books i have read!
I would only read it ones though, it's just a one time read for me.
May 30, 2018
"I can't imagine having once loved certain books and not loving them anymore. In a way, you are what you read, so abandoning books is the same thing as abandoning a part of yourself."
This book was such a lovely surprise! It has a visible feel of middle grade/young adult novel but the writing is so beautiful and the way the author approaches some things is that I think even older readers can enjoy it.
It's a story about Rosemary and her two friends Adam and Shelby, who find an old book in a forgotten cupboard. As they try to figure out what does the book contain and who it belonged to, Shelby suddenly disappeares and Rosemary thinks that the book contains a spell, which made their friend disappear. Now they're determined to unravel the book's mystery and get Shelby back.
I love stories that have some mystery and love for books, so this one drew me immediately. The characters are still very young, because the main character is 13, so the only negative thing for me was that sometimes the way they spoke was a little too much - for examply I thought that at times Rosemary sounded a bit too much like a cliche teenager, throwing around "like"s and "whatever"s all the time, and it felt weird to me considering that she's a big reader and you'd think her vocabulary will be a bit more expanded than that of other kids. But in a way, the author included a theme of growing up, so we do see the main character grow and learn from her mistakes.
Like I said, there's lots of love and affection for books in here. Rosemary, Adam and Shelby love to read and share stories with each other, we have descriptions of Rosie's bookshelves and I absolutely loved the scenes where she and her mother would just sit and read together. Love for literature also shows through Shakespear and poetry themes. I think it would definitely appeal to book lovers and for more casual readers, maybe it could encourage them to read more. I also really enjoyed how the author carried a theme of loss of your loved one. It shows throughout the whole book and through the few characters, and I felt like it was portrayed very realistically. Another thing worth mentioning was Rosemary's relationship with her mother. It was so wonderfully done and very realistic, considering Rosemary's age and their family situation, but not overdone.
The reason why I gave it 4 stars is only because around the middle and second part of the story, it seemed to be stuck in one place and got quite repetitive. It took some time for the story to move forward. Apart from that, like I mentioned, sometimes I was distracted by the way the characters were speaking, but I think it may not be a problem for everyone. But the story is engaging (books and mystery - who wouldn't like that?) and the writing style is very good.
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This book was such a lovely surprise! It has a visible feel of middle grade/young adult novel but the writing is so beautiful and the way the author approaches some things is that I think even older readers can enjoy it.
It's a story about Rosemary and her two friends Adam and Shelby, who find an old book in a forgotten cupboard. As they try to figure out what does the book contain and who it belonged to, Shelby suddenly disappeares and Rosemary thinks that the book contains a spell, which made their friend disappear. Now they're determined to unravel the book's mystery and get Shelby back.
I love stories that have some mystery and love for books, so this one drew me immediately. The characters are still very young, because the main character is 13, so the only negative thing for me was that sometimes the way they spoke was a little too much - for examply I thought that at times Rosemary sounded a bit too much like a cliche teenager, throwing around "like"s and "whatever"s all the time, and it felt weird to me considering that she's a big reader and you'd think her vocabulary will be a bit more expanded than that of other kids. But in a way, the author included a theme of growing up, so we do see the main character grow and learn from her mistakes.
Like I said, there's lots of love and affection for books in here. Rosemary, Adam and Shelby love to read and share stories with each other, we have descriptions of Rosie's bookshelves and I absolutely loved the scenes where she and her mother would just sit and read together. Love for literature also shows through Shakespear and poetry themes. I think it would definitely appeal to book lovers and for more casual readers, maybe it could encourage them to read more. I also really enjoyed how the author carried a theme of loss of your loved one. It shows throughout the whole book and through the few characters, and I felt like it was portrayed very realistically. Another thing worth mentioning was Rosemary's relationship with her mother. It was so wonderfully done and very realistic, considering Rosemary's age and their family situation, but not overdone.
The reason why I gave it 4 stars is only because around the middle and second part of the story, it seemed to be stuck in one place and got quite repetitive. It took some time for the story to move forward. Apart from that, like I mentioned, sometimes I was distracted by the way the characters were speaking, but I think it may not be a problem for everyone. But the story is engaging (books and mystery - who wouldn't like that?) and the writing style is very good.
Find me at my instagram | tumblr and pinterest
June 10, 2017
What an enchanting little book! (Pun intended;) a sweet story of friendship, commitment, the power of words, growing up, and of course, remembering.
I found this book when I was perusing the children's fiction section at the library. The books are sorted alphabetically by last name of the author, so this one by Virginia Zimmerman was the last one on the shelf. I thought that made it worth giving it a try.
I really enjoyed it! Well written, lovely descriptions and word choices, and it included some of my favorite things (herbs, poetry, and writing - KENNA BONACORSI YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK).
The only 'concern' some might have with it is the element of magic/spells. I wasn't bothered by it though. The characters aren't using magic for evil in any way, they're working against some accidental magic that occurred. Also, the main character does lie to her mom about a couple things, which I wasn't a big fan of.
Other than that, I loved this book! Glad I encountered it!
I found this book when I was perusing the children's fiction section at the library. The books are sorted alphabetically by last name of the author, so this one by Virginia Zimmerman was the last one on the shelf. I thought that made it worth giving it a try.
I really enjoyed it! Well written, lovely descriptions and word choices, and it included some of my favorite things (herbs, poetry, and writing - KENNA BONACORSI YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK).
The only 'concern' some might have with it is the element of magic/spells. I wasn't bothered by it though. The characters aren't using magic for evil in any way, they're working against some accidental magic that occurred. Also, the main character does lie to her mom about a couple things, which I wasn't a big fan of.
Other than that, I loved this book! Glad I encountered it!
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September 17, 2020
the girl on the cover of this book looks kinda like someone i know, which is borderline creepy, but looking past that and the typeface issue... well, actually not looking past that quite yet.
you might be wondering how the hey-hoo this book got on my"love-this-cover" shelf. well, it's obviously because i love-the-cover. but wait wait wait. didn't i juuuust whine about two reasons why i don't like the cover? yup. full marks big brain. but looking beyond the typeface thing i actually love-the-cover! (yeah, i can deal with it looking like my friend. i mean, she's chill.) it's a cute aesthetic that totally matches the book.
moving on from that ted talk... yeah i really did like this book & would recommend. kind of the same thing going on with shakespeare for squirrels though: in the end everything started moving super fast. i'll break my hip bone this time i'll bet
you might be wondering how the hey-hoo this book got on my"love-this-cover" shelf. well, it's obviously because i love-the-cover. but wait wait wait. didn't i juuuust whine about two reasons why i don't like the cover? yup. full marks big brain. but looking beyond the typeface thing i actually love-the-cover! (yeah, i can deal with it looking like my friend. i mean, she's chill.) it's a cute aesthetic that totally matches the book.
moving on from that ted talk... yeah i really did like this book & would recommend. kind of the same thing going on with shakespeare for squirrels though: in the end everything started moving super fast. i'll break my hip bone this time i'll bet
June 26, 2017
I think that the premise for this story is intriguing. I also believe that Zimmerman did a fantastic job of making the story come to life. I'm not a huge fan of poetry, never have been and probably never will be, but this story had an amazing way of grabbing my attention even though it focused on poetry as one of its main plot points.
I enjoyed reading this book so much it took me only a little over 2 hours to read it. While I'm a fast reader, that's good even for me. Not a hard book to read but one that drew my attention in such a way that my already quick eyes wanted to get to the next word, the next line, the next chapter, as quickly as possible just to see what happens next.
I would definitely recommend this book to others.
I enjoyed reading this book so much it took me only a little over 2 hours to read it. While I'm a fast reader, that's good even for me. Not a hard book to read but one that drew my attention in such a way that my already quick eyes wanted to get to the next word, the next line, the next chapter, as quickly as possible just to see what happens next.
I would definitely recommend this book to others.
August 14, 2017
I started The Rosemary Spell expecting it to be a book about magic, and while I was a little bit dissapointed to realise it wasn't big on spells and wizards, I think this book is full of magic, the kind that exists and that we can feel. Rosemary's passion for books, her imagination and her strong bounds with her friends brought me back to the years where dreaming about magical adventure and other worlds was a little bit easier. It was really an enchanting book and I'm glad I stumbled upon it through my online book club. While its not exactly a page turner, I read it very quickly mostly because I cared so much about the characters. I didn't give it 5 stars simply because I found some plot points to be really predictable, but then again this is a middle grader book and I'm sitting here at 23. Would definitly recommend for anyone, especially those that were already book nerds at a young age. It takes you back.
March 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. It's definitely "If you enjoyed Bridge to Terabithia, try this!" in the same way that modern fantasy epics are "If you enjoyed Lord of the Rings, try this!" but that's okay; I think Zimmerman pulled it off really well. I'd read most of the other children's books that she alluded to, but she made me want to read the ones I hadn't (including Pelagia's Boats!), so I'd say she thoroughly succeeded in awakening some literary wonder and curiosity. The characters were likeable and compelling (especially once Zimmerman stopped trying to tell us what they were like and let them speak for themselves--we get it, Adam is very organized), and the themes were engaging and relevant. I would like to hear what other readers thought of the portrayal of dementia patients.
December 18, 2024
A locked cupboard. An old journal. An elderly poet. A magic spell. For best friends Rosemary and Adam, these are all elements of the adventures they've always longed for, but have only experienced so far in books. However, when they speak the spell, unintended consequences lead to extremely high stakes: the spell makes Adam's sister Shelby disappear, and they have only a little while to reverse the spell and get her back.
I enjoyed this middle-grade novel, with its ties to Shakespeare and Rosemary's particular fondness for children's literature. The plot was compelling, and the author did a good job of making the panic over forgetting Shelby seem real. Recommended for fans of juvenile fantasy in a real-world setting.
I enjoyed this middle-grade novel, with its ties to Shakespeare and Rosemary's particular fondness for children's literature. The plot was compelling, and the author did a good job of making the panic over forgetting Shelby seem real. Recommended for fans of juvenile fantasy in a real-world setting.
October 24, 2017
Rosie, Adam and Shelby have been together forever. But now Shelby is making her own friends her own age and getting a boyfriend, leaving it just Rosie and Adam. So when Rosie and Adam discover a blank book hidden in Rosie's new room, Rosie is reluctant to share at first. But then Shelby disappears when they try to tell her about the book and the disappearing words and the rhyme. Rosie and Adam have to figure out how to get Shelby back, before she's lost in the book for good.
Rosie and Adam read way younger than they're supposed to be, it felt much more like reading a J book than YA. Parts were pretty predictable, but it was easy reading.
Rosie and Adam read way younger than they're supposed to be, it felt much more like reading a J book than YA. Parts were pretty predictable, but it was easy reading.
March 9, 2019
So great I read it twice!
So, it’s starts out great, then gets even better, then WHAM! I loved it. I won’t spoil it for you, but man, are there great spoilers! :-) A delightful read that is both a mystery and a fantasy (like Harry Potter). I also love that both boys and girls are in the story (great as a family read), and as an adult, I loved it, too. Smart, interesting, and even funny, it gets really gripping as the magic and mystery unfolds. I wish we had kids books like this back in the 70s, when I was a kid...”The Rosemary Spell” is in the best of the genre (magic and kids?) and I loved it. A+, I totally recommend! :-)
So, it’s starts out great, then gets even better, then WHAM! I loved it. I won’t spoil it for you, but man, are there great spoilers! :-) A delightful read that is both a mystery and a fantasy (like Harry Potter). I also love that both boys and girls are in the story (great as a family read), and as an adult, I loved it, too. Smart, interesting, and even funny, it gets really gripping as the magic and mystery unfolds. I wish we had kids books like this back in the 70s, when I was a kid...”The Rosemary Spell” is in the best of the genre (magic and kids?) and I loved it. A+, I totally recommend! :-)
December 19, 2016
Short version: Best friends Rosie and Adam solve a mystery/quest with lots of literary references.
There's more depth than that, including themes of loss and memory. Something that makes this title different is that so often, the characters in fantasy books just seem to know and accept what's going on--they're destined or charmed or have magic in them, or whatever. This seems more realistic in the way the characters are surprised, confused, and puzzled. This helps the reader feel their tension as they race the clock to save Adam's sister, Shelby, from being utterly forgotten.
There's more depth than that, including themes of loss and memory. Something that makes this title different is that so often, the characters in fantasy books just seem to know and accept what's going on--they're destined or charmed or have magic in them, or whatever. This seems more realistic in the way the characters are surprised, confused, and puzzled. This helps the reader feel their tension as they race the clock to save Adam's sister, Shelby, from being utterly forgotten.
June 13, 2017
I think I would've been a better poetry student in middle school if I'd have read this book. I learned a lot about reading poetry embedded in the mystical adventure. I enjoyed the subplots as well - friendships enduring and changing as kids grow up, Alzheimers. The beginning is a little slow, the middle is an excellent page-turner, and the climax went in a direction I wasn't expecting, enough so that it took me out of the story a little. I'm looking forward to reading Zimmerman's Pelagia's Boats when it gets written!
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