Finding Esme

by

Suzanne Crowley

Genre: Middle Grade (3-7) / Magical Realism / Family & Loss

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Date of Publication: August 14, 2018

Number of Pages: 288

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After her grandfather died from a heart attack while driving his tractor on Solace Hill, twelve-year-old Esme’s been inextricably drawn to that spot, although her grandmother warns her to stay away. But when she follows her little brother, Bo, and her dog, Old Jack, up the hill while chasing fireflies, she makes an incredible discovery—dinosaur bones peeking out from underneath the abandoned tractor.

The bones must be a message from her grandfather, a connection from beyond the grave. But when word gets out that the farm is hiding something valuable, reporters, researchers, and neighbors arrive in droves. Esme struggles to understand who has her best interests at heart, especially as the memory of her grandfather begins to slip away.

Full of friendship and adventure, and featuring a palpable Texas setting, Finding Esme is a moving and heartfelt story about family, friendship, and learning to deal with loss.

Praise & Honors

“Esme is a brave, appealing heroine with the odds stacked against her… Bad blood and layered family secrets drive this story to its ultimately optimistic and satisfying conclusion.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“Esme McCauley is a lonely but spirited 12-year-old who feels nothing ever happens to her the way it’s supposed to…A poignant tale for readers who enjoy character-driven realism.” — School Library Journal

“Readers muddling through preteen changes or unstable family lives will identify with Esme’s struggles, but the thrill of discovery will appeal to most.” — Booklist

Texas Library Association 2019 Spirit of Texas (SPOT) reading program selection

Finding Esme is one of those books that you will want to take your time to enjoy and not rush through like a house on fire.

Esme is wise for her 12 years, and apparently, she was born this way.   She definitely has not grown into her body yet, or maybe rather her body hasn’t quite caught up with her intellect yet.  She has big eyes, pale (translucent even) skin, a small mouth, and skinny legs.  She calls herself unflattering names based on these attributes.  This is heartbreaking, but realistic for most girls her age.  But what she lacks in looks, she makes up for in family and friends.

The variety of characters is a treat because I felt like they were not just shallow place holders, but thought out characters with depth and added dimension to the story.  I think my favorite character, after Esme, was Fitch, Esme’s best friend.  They truly watched out for each other and are two peas in a pod.  Esme’s grandmother Bee is a strong woman that really holds the family together.  Esme’s mother, June Rain, is something of a disappointment because she doesn’t seem to be invested in her children’s life.  I don’t know if she is not all there, misses her husband, or a combination of the two.

I enjoyed the timeframe of when the book is set, and while not defined specifically, I am assuming it is somewhere in the 1950s-1970s.  There is the mention of party lines (where everyone knows your business), a five and dime type store, and a few other hints that lead me to believe this is when the book is set.  I always enjoy reading a book where the characters are not reliant on technology as they have to think on their feet and find other resources than a device held in their hand.

This book does touch on life and the loss of family and friends.  It is evident that Esme misses her grandfather.  I think they had a special relationship from some of the various passages.  It is hard for Esme to go on at times, but she does with the help of Fitch, Bo, and Bee.  Esme is inquisitive and when she discovers the dinosaur, she becomes invested in learning more about what she has found.

The mystical realism comes into play as Esme starts having flashes of lost objects and where they can be found.  This delights a few people because the items that were believed to be forever lost were found. Esme takes after Bee in this regard and she can see it as a gift or as a curse, but hopefully, she considers it a gift.

This book is aimed at middle-grade readers but can be enjoyed by readers of nearly any age.  There are some topics that might be too heavy for a younger reader unless read together with a parent to discuss some of those topics.

Overall we give this 4 1/2 paws.  You will find many nuggets to savor peppered throughout the book, so take your time and enjoy the characters, imagery, and innocence of children.

Suzanne Crowley is the author of two acclaimed novels for young readers, The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous and The Stolen One. The author, who is also a miniaturist and dollhouse collector whose work has graced the covers of magazines worldwide, was born in a small town in Texas and lives in Southlake, Texas. When not hugging her dog or imbibing in chocolate, she can often be found taking a nap.

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TWO READERS EACH WIN A SIGNED COPY OF FINDING ESME, 

TWO CANDLES, BOOKMARKS, FUN FACT CARDS, AND A PEN!

February 11-21, 2020

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