Forget-Me-Not Blue

Sophie and her older brother, Con, get their clothes from the community pantry, where they often have breakfast and lunch. Their mom, Ashley, doesn’t make much as a waitress at Tommy’s restaurant, and sometimes she parties with friends or brings home bad boyfriends, But Sophie knows her mom loves her even though she left the kids for a week one time. She has promised to never do that again. Ashley’s grandfather, Gunner, shows up one day and moves in with them, but he’s not around very much. While Gunner is gone, Ashley disappears again for even longer. Con shows what a great, loving brother he is. Things are really bad this time when Ashley returns.

Sharelle Byars Moranville has written a story that will break readers’ hearts over and over but also shows the power of love, family, and friendship. The writing is great and the characters are all interesting and believable. The story situation is, sadly, all too real and one that young readers will often relate to. It shows a realistic and sympathetic picture of social services and the foster system. This is an important story that deserves readership far beyond its intended middle-grade audience.