Love, Aubrey

by Suzanne LaFleur

Book Overview

A beautifully written and deeply moving middle-grade novel with characters to cherish and a story that deals with tragedy and loss in a fresh way. Aubrey has suffered an unbelievable loss, and goes to live with her grandmother in Vermont in order to heal. There she makes new friends, learns to cope with what has happened, and begins to figure out how to move on. Readers will fall in love with Aubrey from page one, and hold their breath until the very...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375851593
• ISBN13: 9780375851599
• Release Date: February 2011
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Getting By With a Little Help From Your Friends

"I get by with a little help from my friends." -- Beatles, 1967 In fact, "I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" could indeed be the soundtrack of this excellent book. A bit of Beatle humor is thrown in when a minor character named Pennie Layne makes a cameo appearance early in the book. Aubrey, 11 loses her father and younger sister Savannah, 7 in an automobile accident. She and her mother are the only survivors. Shortly after the accident, Aubrey's mother shows signs of mental illness. She neglects to cook, clean or acknowledge Aubrey's presence. Matters come to a head when she walks out of the house, drives away, leaving Aubrey to fend for herself. And fend she does. Aubrey copes as best she can, not knowing when or if her mother will return. Luckily, her maternal grandmother takes the train down to Virginia from her native Vermont. She takes Aubrey and her pet fish Sammy back with her to provide her with a home and loving stability. Naturally adjustment problems ensue. Aubrey copes with her losses by writing letters. A neighbor girl, Bridget, takes Aubrey under her wing as do her younger sister Mabel, 4 and brother Danny, 1. Bridget's loving family widens their circle to include Aubrey. In time, Aubrey opens up to Bridget. Getting through school is made a lot easier with Bridget's help and that of an astute counselor. This is one of the best books about grief, grieving, loss and death that I have ever come across. Aubrey, like the 1965 John Lennon classic "In My Life," comes to accept that "some are dead and some are living....in my life, I've loved them all." Fortunately she does thrive in her new home in Vermont. She remains loyal to the memories she has of Savannah, and little flashbacks with Savannah are included in the story. Aubrey has some difficult decisions to make as the year progresses and emerges all the stronger. "I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" and "In My Life" underscore this very deep and moving story. This is such an excellent book and it might make you cry. Still, you will be glad you read it.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Aubrey Priestly has eaten the last of the cheese and crackers and finished the juice in the refrigerator. There is nothing left to eat so she takes the birthday money Gram sent and heads to the store. She knows she can buy groceries and take care of herself, but she's worried about what might happen if someone finds out she is eleven and living alone. Tragedy struck and took Aubrey's sister and father, and now her mother has been gone for days. Aubrey thought it was best to ignore the constantly ringing telephone since she had no idea what to tell any caller that might ask to speak to her mother. However, one afternoon she just couldn't ignore the repeated ringing of the doorbell. When she opened the door, she found Gram standing on the porch. What follows is Aubrey's concerned grandmother bustling about asking questions about how long she's been alone and then giving instructions about what to pack since Gram is taking Aubrey back with her. They ride the train from Virginia to the familiar old house in Vermont. Used to visits only on holidays, it seems strange to be moving in with Gram, but it's a relief to have someone taking care of her again. Aubrey gradually opens up to her grandmother as the two of them work to adjust to the tremendous changes in their lives. But even with Gram's loving care, a new best friend living right next door, and a helpful counselor at her new school, Aubrey finds the most relief when she writes letters to the loved ones now missing from her life. LOVE, AUBREY is the first novel by Suzanne LaFleur. The story is filled with emotion. The heart-wrenching sadness Aubrey experiences as old memories begin to surface are sure to bring tears to the eyes of even the most jaded reader. LaFleur shows Aubrey dealing with grief and loss as she struggles to understand her feelings and the confusing choices made by her grieving mother. This is a powerful story about love, loss, and healing that goes far beyond its targeted middle grade audience. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Have tissues handy

Aubrey is only 11, but she is dealing with events far beyond her years. This book is almost impossible to put down (except to wipe one's eyes and get more tissues) as Aubrey deals with the aftermath of a car accident. Though Aubrey herself is not yet 12, I think this would be a tough read for sensitive pre-teens. Supportive family, neighbors, friends and a school counselor help Aubrey through a painful year. Youngsters in the mood for a tear-jerker, or readers who want to be both saddened and uplifted, go read this book!

Wonderful story, beautifully written

Wonderfully touching story. I will be buying a copy of this for my 9 year old niece. Hopefully we'll be reading much more from Suzanne LaFleur in the coming years!

Newbery award-deserving

This is the first middle reader/young adult book I have read this year that is worthy to be considered for the Newbery Award. Love, Aubrey is a moving story of a young girl deal with and live with the loss of her father and little sister in a car accident. Suzanne Lafleur's storytelling is subtle and simple and rings with truth. Recommended reading for girls ages 10-14.