The Secret Hum of a Daisy

Tracy Holczer's The Secret Hum of a Daisy is the type of novel I devour, then want to begin all over again. This book is so much more than just the story that Holczer has written.  It is an absolutely beautiful book, full of wisdom and sadness, and hope.

Grace is twelve years old when her mother dies in an accident. It has always been just the two of them against the world. Grace's father died before she was born, and although she knows she has a grandmother out there somewhere, she has never met her.  Grace's mom and grandma didn't see eye to eye on things when Grace's mom was pregnant with her, and she left town, never returning.  The two move often, not really allowing themselves to settle in any one town.

But now that her mom has passed away, Grace is being sent to live with her grandmother, a woman that she is sure she is not supposed to like.  Her grandmother's life feels far from the one she was accustomed to living with her mom. 

Grace continues to want to live in the Before....before the accident, not the After.  Her grief is still new, and as she tries to mourn the loss of her mother, she is also adjusting to a new school and her grandmother, who doesn't seem nearly as horrible as she anticipated.

Grace learns a lot about life and about love and about moving on.  Holczer's novel is so beautifully written.  There is an important message within this story, and although I just finished reading this myself, would love to start over again so I can enjoy the wisdom that is imparted in its pages.  

This is a novel I will be recommending to everyone from my middle grade readers to my adult friends.  I'm hoping The Secret Hum of a Daisy is on everyone's mind come Newbery time.