Inspirations

I'm a writer, but I'm also a gardener. Story ideas come to me when I'm in the garden, pulling weeds or planting bulbs. Stevie's voice came to me this way. And like all my stories, the main character invited me to join her on a journey with a promise that it wouldn't be easy, but if I persisted and stayed the course, it would be worth my while. 

"[Stevie's] first-person narration maintains an honest point of view, and her reactions are consistent and believable. Holt crafts a satisfying arc of growth and redemption."-Horn Book

"Holt brings [the plot] to vivid life, drawing on the folkloric and moody appeal of the story while keeping the individual details compelling."--The Bulletin

"Stevie’s journey is deftly narrated with candor, angst, and compassion. Character portraits are diverse and well drawn. Stevie’s small town life is rich in family secrets, quiet discoveries, and evolving relationships. Universal themes of grief, family, love, and loyalty are conveyed through the understated prose."-School Library Journal

"Holt . . .returns to the South to tell a tender, character-driven story, this time of a girl discovering her roots. . .This gently told narrative will appeal to readers of heartfelt, realistic fiction."-Booklist

"[Stevie] processes her grief and her new relationships with a winning combination of grace, mistakes, humor, contemplation, and determination. . . Endearing and imperfect, Stevie establishes immediate rapport with readers."-Kirkus Reviews

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