Berry's enticing debut novel teems with romance, danger and suspense. Lucinda, a 15-year-old orphan, leads a miserable existence as a servant until she gains possession of an unusual stone belonging to Beryl, a reputed witch. As luck would have it, the gem is stolen and sold to a prince before Lucinda even realizes it is gone. Most of the plot centers on Lucinda's adventures trying to retrieve the stone from the prince, with whom she predictably falls in love. Fantasy buffs will delight in the author's playful use of fairy tale conventions—unlike Cinderella, Lucinda has the good sense to retrieve her lost slipper after attending a ball (“I considered leaving it there, but one footfall in my stocking feet on the cold granite changed my mind”). But the book's main appeal comes from the revelations of many secrets and unexpected twists, including the truth about Beryl. Lucinda has to work harder than most such heroines to acquire her happily-ever-after ending, but her efforts eventually pay off, while leaving readers with enough unanswered questions to set imaginations spinning. Ages 10–14. (Mar.)
The Amaranth Enchantment Julie Berry. Bloomsbury, $16.99 (306p) ISBN 978-1-59990-334-7
On March 5, I am going to the Wellesley Booksmith (I hope with my 8 year-old daughter) to the book kick-off party, buy a copy and get it signed.On March 6, Julie will host a signing at the Kings English Bookshop in Salt Lake City.
My 8 year-old, Miranda, and I loved the March 5 book-signing; the young girls were riveted, accounting for nearly all the questions asked. Miranda and I are reading the book together for a Mother-Daughter book club that we're in; Miranda is also lobbying to have Julie Berry come speak at her school.
When you get a moment, will you go to www.julieberrybooks.com and tell Julie 'Atta Girl'?
Or better yet, tell her in person.
***
My favorite 'dare to dream' passage is at the beginning of Chapter 18. What's yours?
For those of you interested in questions for a mother-daughter book club, click here for a list that my daughter and I compiled.
What age group is this book directed at? I have an 8 and a 10 year old daughter. Would this be an appropriate book to read together?
thanks,
Allison Raddon
Posted by: Allison Raddon | February 15, 2009 at 09:08 PM
I've been thinking for a while that it would be really fun to start a Mother/Daughter book group--this looks like the perfect book to start with! Would you and Miranda like to join us?
Posted by: Rachael | February 17, 2009 at 08:56 AM
Julie Berry moved to our ward as a newly married... I held a baby shower for her at my house WAY back when... I don't think I've seen her since! How fun, and what a great looking book! I have three daughters, 12, 10, and 8, and we'll plan on reading this together!
Thanks, Whitney!
And I'll pass it along to other members of our ward who will remember her.
Posted by: Jenny | February 17, 2009 at 11:41 AM
On a related note...
For the adults, I recommend reading the last chapter of Clarissa Pinkola Estes' Women Who Run with the Wolves, titled The Handless Maiden. Estes takes you through the myth/fable/story, then beautifully and lovingly interprets it.
I cannot summarize the meaning of the story and still do it justice, but just trust me. It's worth buying the book, just for this chapter. It encapsulates our journey as women in a powerful, moving way.
Posted by: Janna | February 22, 2009 at 12:19 PM
p.s. Congratulations, Julie! Here's to dreams (family), dreams (published novel), and more dreams (more published novels) coming true...
Posted by: Janna | February 22, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Thanks so much, Whitney, and Jenny, of course I remember you! I remember that shower vividly, right down to what I wore and how huge I was. And the baby quilt your mother sewed me, and the paper plate "hat" decorated with all the gift ribbons. :) Allison, to answer your question, the publisher suggests 10 and up for Amaranth, but I think an 8-yr old would do just fine in a read-aloud or read-together setting. I hope your girls enjoy it!
Posted by: Julie Berry | March 16, 2009 at 01:57 AM