Alexandra Friar

My mother and aunt were both teachers, and instilled a deep appreciation for books, that being said, of all the books I've ever read-- this one will always be my absoloute favorite. Just typing that made me emotional because there simply aren't words to describe the kind of magic this story carries. Even now, nearly 17 years since I first read it, i still think of what it taught me about living and what living truely means. Babbitt is an incredibly gifted story teller who conveyed the equal parts agony and joy of young love, along with the profound effects of sudden death and loss. All while explaining to young readers such raw human emotions in a way that has never been depicted in a children's fantasy novel. Its hard to even call this book a childrens novel when in all fairness, it is a fiercely passionate and devastatingly grim love story that doesn't end in the typical or expected fashion that one would expect from its fairytale setting. It tells its young audience of a lesser known ending that doesn't entail winnie waiting for tuck, or- handing her life over to a commitment she barely understands the weight of. Winnie cries and fights immense heart break but ultimately decided that she is a child. She has so much ahead of her, there are far more things to learn love and live for than even the purest and sincerest of connections. Winnie foster, chose herself. May every girl alive read this story and know that that she can too.