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The Lottery Rose
The Newbery Award-winning author of Across Five Aprils and Up a Road Slowly presents the story of a young boy from a troubled family who learns what it means to love…
Abused by his mother and her boyfriend, Georgie Burgess learns to hide his hurt. He withdraws into a safe and secret world of beautiful gardens filled with roses—just like those in the library book he treasures.
When Georgie wins a small rosebush in a grocery store lottery he gives it all the love and caring he’s never had. Georgie’s life begins to open up for him when the courts send him to a home for boys where he will be safe. Slowly, and not without pain, Georgie learns to give—and to receive—love...
Abused by his mother and her boyfriend, Georgie Burgess learns to hide his hurt. He withdraws into a safe and secret world of beautiful gardens filled with roses—just like those in the library book he treasures.
When Georgie wins a small rosebush in a grocery store lottery he gives it all the love and caring he’s never had. Georgie’s life begins to open up for him when the courts send him to a home for boys where he will be safe. Slowly, and not without pain, Georgie learns to give—and to receive—love...
181 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
120 people are currently reading
1533 people want to read
About the author
Irene Hunt
31 books94 followersIrene Hunt was an American children's writer known best for historical novels. She was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal for her first book, Across Five Aprils, and won the medal for her second, Up a Road Slowly. For her contribution as a children's writer she was U.S. nominee in 1974 for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international recognition available to creators of children's books. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_Hunt]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews
October 12, 2014
One of my most vivid reading memories is being completely crushed by this book when I was in junior high. I remember sitting on the floor of my bedroom and sobbing uncontrollably, grateful that I was reading it at home rather than at school.
I've recommended it to many students over the years, but the book has become harder and harder to find. It's been weeded out of my local library in favor of more recent titles, so I decided to buy a copy or two for my classroom library. When the book arrived from Amazon last night, I set about reading it almost immediately; by the end of the first page, my heart was aching again for little Georgie Burgess, and the tears were rolling by the end of the second chapter. The Lottery Rose is every bit as lovely and every bit as heartbreaking as I remembered.
I've recommended it to many students over the years, but the book has become harder and harder to find. It's been weeded out of my local library in favor of more recent titles, so I decided to buy a copy or two for my classroom library. When the book arrived from Amazon last night, I set about reading it almost immediately; by the end of the first page, my heart was aching again for little Georgie Burgess, and the tears were rolling by the end of the second chapter. The Lottery Rose is every bit as lovely and every bit as heartbreaking as I remembered.
April 16, 2013
Reread this to a class of seventh graders because they wanted to read something sad. When we finished, they looked at me like "That's it?" Bunch of heartless kids.
April 10, 2008
I read this book in the 6th grade and it has stuck with me since. It is a very sad and depressing story with many happy moments spread throughout. This was the first novel that made tears literally pour from my eyes. I even remember the day walking into class after reading the last chapter. If only people of the world would read this and realize what is actually happening it this world.
March 9, 2009
This book was great not just because it had many details in it, but because of the story that is being told. A little kid being abused by his own parents and not having anyone else but her drunk mother that beat him up everyday was horrible. Til one day his life changed drastically when he won a bush of roses in a lottery. The roses was all he had. His life changed for good til that day. He didn't have to stand his mother beating him anymore now he had people that loved and care for him now. I loved this book a lot.
October 12, 2025
This one made me cry
September 9, 2019
Objective Summary: The Lottery Rose is by Irene Hunt, and It's placed in the 1970’s, and it starts off in the city, but later changes. The book is about a boy named Georgie who gets abused by his mother and her boyfriend, Steve. Georgie wins a rose bush at a grocery store lottery, and becomes very close to it, but when he takes it home, Steve beats him with a chair leg and he passes out. He gets sent to a school house in the country, and he tries to plant the rose bush in the neighbor's garden, but she catches him. They have a big fight about him sneaking his rose bush into her garden, and Georgie becomes really mad at her, but when Georgie gets really sick, Mrs Harper comes over to meet him and they come to an understanding. He also meets a little boy named Robin that he becomes very close friends with, and they spent most of they're time together. Then, Robin drowns by trying to feed the ducks, and Georgie plants his rose bush by the 3 year olds grave.
My thoughts and opinions on the book are…
In beginning of the book it's about Georgie when he was in school, and I think that's an important part of the book because he steals a book that has pretty, colorful flowers on it and the flowers make him calm and relaxed. Later in the book when he wins a rose bush, he becomes really close to it, and he tries to protect it. It's also really sad because there's a lot of loneliness in the book when he gets sent away to the school, and when Robin dies. I think it's a really good book.
My thoughts and opinions on the book are…
In beginning of the book it's about Georgie when he was in school, and I think that's an important part of the book because he steals a book that has pretty, colorful flowers on it and the flowers make him calm and relaxed. Later in the book when he wins a rose bush, he becomes really close to it, and he tries to protect it. It's also really sad because there's a lot of loneliness in the book when he gets sent away to the school, and when Robin dies. I think it's a really good book.
April 24, 2014
Not her best book. It is an uncomplicated, "sweet" but unlikely story with unlikely characters and unlikely resolutions. It is a message of hope, but it drags a little. I like Irene Hunt's books but this one disappointed.
June 5, 2008
A sapy, heartbreaking, and boring book.
February 22, 2016
This was amazing book, this book put me into tears. Had incredible story to tell and had sad events but amazing thematic statement to tell at the end.
July 21, 2008
This book tells short story about a little boy, Georgie, who is abused by his mother and her boy friend. The boy lives in a miserable life and he tries to hide the hurt and his sadness. He is ashamed when being with the others. He likes flowers so much and when he wins a lottery rosebush from a grocery, he gives his all love to the flowers. He is sent to a house when there are many boys living. He is safe there and learn new experiences in his life: recieving and offering love.
This book is very valuable for all the people in the society because it presents child education, reflects simple loves between people. Reading this book, readers know that growing in this life is not an easy work. Children cannot learn well and have a bad feeling about what they have seen and how they are treated. Children need a pure environmentt to live and need good friends. Consequently, parents must take care of their children carefully.
The Lottery Rose is also meaningful to all the people who have a remembering childhood. Being a child, people have many dreams whicch adults may not pay attention. Dreams are important to all the children because they make them live in a good world.
The lottery rose is all the things meaningful to Georgie since noone cares of him. He tries to look out for the rose all the time. However, however, he prsents it to a death boy at his grave. Georgie knows thinks that growing the rodes at the grave makes the boy and his mother happy. The boy learns how to make the other happy. It is just a small gift but a valuable gift. People may not ejoy the simple happiness because they have never talked with any plants in their life.
Lottery rose is worthy for its content. It can affects people in different thoughts about life.
This book is very valuable for all the people in the society because it presents child education, reflects simple loves between people. Reading this book, readers know that growing in this life is not an easy work. Children cannot learn well and have a bad feeling about what they have seen and how they are treated. Children need a pure environmentt to live and need good friends. Consequently, parents must take care of their children carefully.
The Lottery Rose is also meaningful to all the people who have a remembering childhood. Being a child, people have many dreams whicch adults may not pay attention. Dreams are important to all the children because they make them live in a good world.
The lottery rose is all the things meaningful to Georgie since noone cares of him. He tries to look out for the rose all the time. However, however, he prsents it to a death boy at his grave. Georgie knows thinks that growing the rodes at the grave makes the boy and his mother happy. The boy learns how to make the other happy. It is just a small gift but a valuable gift. People may not ejoy the simple happiness because they have never talked with any plants in their life.
Lottery rose is worthy for its content. It can affects people in different thoughts about life.
January 8, 2016
-spoilers-
The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt was a very slow book. I don't recommend it because I thought the whole book was very slow and unenjoyable. I never seemed to connect to the characters, and I had to force myself to finish it. My overall feeling about the book is that it was only okay, partially because it didn't have any action. I would recommend to people who generally read realistic fiction.
This book begins with Georgie Burgess, a young troublesome child who has an interest in gardening and flowers. He is physically abused often by his alcoholic parents. Georgie one day finds himself with a rosebush that he won at a local grocery store just like the ones in his favorite books that he loves with all his heart. One day his parents take his beatings too far, and Georgie is placed in a hospital. After a long debate, Georgie is placed in a safe boarding school a couple hours out of Tampa, Florida run by nuns. There Georgie plants his rose, and learns to love again while still making enemies, like the woman next door who wouldn't let him plant his rosebush in her garden until later in the book. The book ends in my opinion, very abruptly and unexpectedly when Georgie's mentally disabled best friend dies suddenly from drowning. Through Georgie's sadness, he forgives his enemies and plants his beloved rosebush on his friend’s grave.
The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt was a very slow book. I don't recommend it because I thought the whole book was very slow and unenjoyable. I never seemed to connect to the characters, and I had to force myself to finish it. My overall feeling about the book is that it was only okay, partially because it didn't have any action. I would recommend to people who generally read realistic fiction.
This book begins with Georgie Burgess, a young troublesome child who has an interest in gardening and flowers. He is physically abused often by his alcoholic parents. Georgie one day finds himself with a rosebush that he won at a local grocery store just like the ones in his favorite books that he loves with all his heart. One day his parents take his beatings too far, and Georgie is placed in a hospital. After a long debate, Georgie is placed in a safe boarding school a couple hours out of Tampa, Florida run by nuns. There Georgie plants his rose, and learns to love again while still making enemies, like the woman next door who wouldn't let him plant his rosebush in her garden until later in the book. The book ends in my opinion, very abruptly and unexpectedly when Georgie's mentally disabled best friend dies suddenly from drowning. Through Georgie's sadness, he forgives his enemies and plants his beloved rosebush on his friend’s grave.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2016
My fourth book is called The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt. This book is Young adult fiction. The story takes place in Florida, and it's about a boy named Georgie who is abused by his mother and her boyfriend. He pushes through, and avoids his mother and her boyfriend as much as possible. Although he is mistreated, he finds that flowers calm him down, and take him to his happy place. Georgie later wins a rosebush at his grocery store and takes care of it, because this is something that he's never had.
I really liked how this story wanted me to keep reading. The book was interesting, so I finished it all tonight. I really liked how the author described things, and the point of view. I think we would've had a deeper understanding of Georgie's problems if the book was written in first person.
Because this book has some abusive descriptions, I would say that the age 11 is most appropriate audience.
I really liked how this story wanted me to keep reading. The book was interesting, so I finished it all tonight. I really liked how the author described things, and the point of view. I think we would've had a deeper understanding of Georgie's problems if the book was written in first person.
Because this book has some abusive descriptions, I would say that the age 11 is most appropriate audience.
May 3, 2012
I read this when I was like 10 in order to get a free pizza from the Book-It! program. The pizza was probably worth it but looking back I kind of resent that they give these kinds of super exploitative abuse narratives to young kids. My mom read it after me and I'm pretty sure she cried, so on the one hand it got my mom to read a book and on the other it's really emotionally manipulative and trite. >:( Should have read that month's Animorphs installment instead.
July 19, 2008
This book had a good number of tragic events and some heart warming ones. It was recommended by a teen who read it several times a year and it is her favorite book. She is a very sensitive girl who had a number of huge medical challenges and likes to work with speical needs kids. Definately not an adult book and I would be careful who I would recommend it to because of the tragedies involved.
April 7, 2014
As an adoptive mother of children who have been abused and neglected this little fellow touched my heart as did his hesitancy to allow himself to be loved. A very quick read. Worth the time.
April 2, 2021
This book broke my heart, and I'm still not over that ending! 😭😭
October 10, 2022
***SPOILERS***
1. This was a childhood favorite of mine. I was in a book slump so I picked it up at age 36 and you better believe I cried the same as I did when I was in elementary school. My husband: “Wait, so you’ve already read this book and you’re crying again. You already know the ending.” Me: “Remember 2 days when I introduced you to the movie The Labyrinth and I also cried after telling you I’ve seen it a billion times?” Forget the fact that I’m pregnant. Irrelevant. Themes always hit you differently as you grow. I’m a special education teacher now, so The Lottery Rose hits different now.
2. I love the symbolism of the rosebush to Georgie. In the beginning the rosebush doesn’t look like much and it’s beaten up, it’s not watered or taken care of, not planted or rooted anywhere, it’s forgotten, it has the potential for beauty but hasn’t reached it yet, it’s been thrown in the trash, but finally someone found the beauty. The rosebush grew, flowered, was loved and protected. It found a garden to call home. And then at the end, being planted in the cemetery it was like Georgie’s old life dying away to make room for the new.
3. And then the symbolism of Robin. Him finally flying at the end. Being independent and then leaving this earth that’s been so hard for him.
4. I want to put this book in the hands of several of my students.
5. I hope Mrs. Harper adopts Georgie. With the lines at the end, I predict so. “As the car moved away he raised his hand and made one brief wave toward his friend. Then he drew a deep breath and turned to watch the road in front of them.” To me, the road symbolizes hope for both of their futures; that healing will happen.
6. I hope Georgie’s mom and her boyfriend rot in prison.
1. This was a childhood favorite of mine. I was in a book slump so I picked it up at age 36 and you better believe I cried the same as I did when I was in elementary school. My husband: “Wait, so you’ve already read this book and you’re crying again. You already know the ending.” Me: “Remember 2 days when I introduced you to the movie The Labyrinth and I also cried after telling you I’ve seen it a billion times?” Forget the fact that I’m pregnant. Irrelevant. Themes always hit you differently as you grow. I’m a special education teacher now, so The Lottery Rose hits different now.
2. I love the symbolism of the rosebush to Georgie. In the beginning the rosebush doesn’t look like much and it’s beaten up, it’s not watered or taken care of, not planted or rooted anywhere, it’s forgotten, it has the potential for beauty but hasn’t reached it yet, it’s been thrown in the trash, but finally someone found the beauty. The rosebush grew, flowered, was loved and protected. It found a garden to call home. And then at the end, being planted in the cemetery it was like Georgie’s old life dying away to make room for the new.
3. And then the symbolism of Robin. Him finally flying at the end. Being independent and then leaving this earth that’s been so hard for him.
4. I want to put this book in the hands of several of my students.
5. I hope Mrs. Harper adopts Georgie. With the lines at the end, I predict so. “As the car moved away he raised his hand and made one brief wave toward his friend. Then he drew a deep breath and turned to watch the road in front of them.” To me, the road symbolizes hope for both of their futures; that healing will happen.
6. I hope Georgie’s mom and her boyfriend rot in prison.
July 3, 2025
My favorite book when I was in elementary school. One of those books you think of forever.
December 21, 2015
I love that this book tackles some difficult concepts in language that is accessible to young people.
But the same thing that makes this book unique also waters down many of its other themes. IH faces the child abuse issue head-on. Georgie is terrorized and traumatized by his childhood experiences. We follow him on his road to healing.
The road is fairly direct and predictable. I suppose younger readers need that comfort. But would the rage that IH describes in Georgie really dissipate that completely? I wasn't convinced.
I also felt that Ms. Hampton's grief was treated very peripherally. This makes sense if you figure that we are primarily focused on a seven-year-old's point of view. Her character remained distant and disconnected even though Georgie decides that he loves her and wants to be loved by her. I never really felt that love for her and I wanted to feel closer to her as a reader.
As for the predictability of the plot… well, I can't really hold that against IR. But it did wrap up awfully neatly in the end. Except for the idea that Ms. H might move to NY. Are we supposed to believe that her comment that no matter where she is, Georgie will be hers will be enough to sustain that little guy? I kind of think IH believes it will. Personally, I think that even though children are incredibly resilient, it's asking a lot to have him completely recovered to the point that he is able to survive the death of a beloved friend and the disappearance of a second mother figure only months after leaving a hellish home life.
I also didn't find the other child characters credible.
The first half of this novel was excellent and if I'd stopped there I would have given the book 4 to 5 stars. The ending fell short and pulled the rating down.
But the same thing that makes this book unique also waters down many of its other themes. IH faces the child abuse issue head-on. Georgie is terrorized and traumatized by his childhood experiences. We follow him on his road to healing.
The road is fairly direct and predictable. I suppose younger readers need that comfort. But would the rage that IH describes in Georgie really dissipate that completely? I wasn't convinced.
I also felt that Ms. Hampton's grief was treated very peripherally. This makes sense if you figure that we are primarily focused on a seven-year-old's point of view. Her character remained distant and disconnected even though Georgie decides that he loves her and wants to be loved by her. I never really felt that love for her and I wanted to feel closer to her as a reader.
As for the predictability of the plot… well, I can't really hold that against IR. But it did wrap up awfully neatly in the end. Except for the idea that Ms. H might move to NY. Are we supposed to believe that her comment that no matter where she is, Georgie will be hers will be enough to sustain that little guy? I kind of think IH believes it will. Personally, I think that even though children are incredibly resilient, it's asking a lot to have him completely recovered to the point that he is able to survive the death of a beloved friend and the disappearance of a second mother figure only months after leaving a hellish home life.
I also didn't find the other child characters credible.
The first half of this novel was excellent and if I'd stopped there I would have given the book 4 to 5 stars. The ending fell short and pulled the rating down.
August 6, 2015
This was a book I remembered from my childhood mainly because the teacher who was reading it to our class sobbed so hard through the last chapter that I went 30 years without actually knowing how it ended. I bought it with the intention of giving it away to a specific young person, but decided to give it a quick read in case it was below her reading level or a little to "on the nose" in subject matter. (It's about a boy who is horribly abused, almost beaten to death by his mother's boyfriend, and ultimately saved by a nun and a rosebush.) I have decided after the re-read to keep it for myself, mainly because it is just unbearably sad, but also because it tosses around the word "retarded" in a way that I'm sure was not uncommon in 1976 when the book was published, but that I wouldn't want a young person reading it today to think was acceptable. But at least I now know what all the crying was about.
December 5, 2014
How do I review as incredibly powerful a novel as this, one I firmly believe should have won the 1977 Newbery Medal even with Mildred D. Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry in the mix? Irene Hunt's The Lottery Rose is almost for sure one of the top five books I've ever read. It's the sort of novel that changes a person forever; I can't imagine anyone giving it a thoughtful read and ever being the same again. The Lottery Rose deserves the complete review treatment from me, forging paragraph after emotionally charged paragraph on the anvil of my love for it, but such an artistically expensive review will have to wait for another time. For now, let me say that this book is in a class by itself, and I consider it possibly the most deserving book ever to have not won the Newbery Medal. I love The Lottery Rose.
April 22, 2011
My 12 year old brought this book home from school - an assignment for his "gifted" class, but was complaining about it so I read it. He had been assigned the first two chapters and didn't like was he was reading. I agree it wasn't fun. The story is about a young boy who is physically abused by his mother and her boyfriend. By the end of the 2nd chapter he has nearly been killed. Not a happy story. But I talked with my son about learning/living vicariously and not ignoring the evil of the world. We also discussed how the rest of the book is about how he overcomes his past and we can all learn something there. still the book wasn't a happily ever after story and there is still more tragedy in the book, but it is also full of good people trying to help however they can.
May 6, 2015
A math teacher (a self-described reluctant reader) told me that when she was earning her teaching degree one of her professors used this book as a read aloud and everyone was crying so much no one could continue reading... I think this would have been a four or maybe even a five star book in 1976 (when it was published), but in 2015 I'm giving it three stars. A lot of it is absolutely still relevant (unfortunately), but the word retarded is used (as it was back then - I remember) on an official school record which really dates the book (thankfully). A couple other details date the book, but I still enjoyed reading it and am glad I did. A reminder of the horrors of what some of our students sadly face at home.
October 27, 2009
I picked up this book because I remembered a few people recomending it to me a while ago. I was a little bit skeptical, because it seemed old. Not like Pride and prejudice old, just old. I know I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but I cant help it. I usually go for the books with bright happy covers, and whiter pages, with bigger print. This one seemed dull and yellowy... But I am so glad I ended up reading it. This book was amazing. I love the detail the author puts into it. I cried several times while reading it...which definitely makes it a good book
November 3, 2010
This book is horrible and sad! DONT READ IT I SAY! Warning! There are killer ducks that lead to a VERY SAD ENDING! KILLER DUCKS ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO VERY VERY EVIL AND MEAN AND THEY ARE EEEEEVIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLL! NEVER READ!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 10, 2008
If you liked "A Child Called It", then this book is for you. As for me, I hate reading books about child abuse like this one. It actually makes me physically ill. It has a good ending, and towards the middle, it gets heartfelt, and wonderful. Not many books can make me cry at the end, but this one did. Actually a really good book when you get towards the middle. I loved it!
February 14, 2020
Such a moving and emotional book that demonstrates over and over that with care, work, and love broken things can become whole again.
2020 update:
I love reading this book to my children. While it paints a tragic picture of child abuse and tugs hard at the heartstrings, it also tells a story of what love can do to heal broken things.
2020 update:
I love reading this book to my children. While it paints a tragic picture of child abuse and tugs hard at the heartstrings, it also tells a story of what love can do to heal broken things.
July 5, 2014
Overall, it was an interesting way to approach the subject of teacher-student bullying and child abuse, but the story could have attempted to dig deeper.
January 28, 2019
I have come to a new appreciation of this author from my recent readings of her best known books Up a Road Slowly and Across Five Aprils and was eager to read a few of her lesser known titles. This is a sweet story about a seven-year-old boy who has suffered horrible abuse at the hands of his alcoholic mother and her violent boyfriend. When he was taken from them and his life began to improve, I was fearful there would be an unrealistic happy ending that would tie everything up neatly. Instead, there is an ending that is both happy and hopeful, but not as predictable as I had feared.
March 2, 2024
The only reason I rated this 4 stars instead of 5 is because the ending was just too abrupt. After enduring such an emotionally taxing story, I wanted more closure.
How much pain can one person endure?!
Georgie's story is filled with heartbreak, hope, and growth. His growth in learning to let people love him and to forgive was beautiful and heart-wrenching.
How much pain can one person endure?!
Georgie's story is filled with heartbreak, hope, and growth. His growth in learning to let people love him and to forgive was beautiful and heart-wrenching.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews