Love, Aubrey

Eleven-year-old Aubrey Priestly finds herself alone in her Virginia home after experiencing a family tragedy. Her grandmother brings her to Vermont for a fresh start, where Aubrey must navigate a new school, new friendships, and her overwhelming grief. Through letters written to her sister, Aubrey processes her emotions and begins to rebuild her life piece by piece. Her relationship with a next-door neighbor, counseling sessions at school, and the care of her grandmother provide stepping stones toward healing. The story follows Aubrey's journey through loss and recovery over the course of a school year. She faces decisions about her future and works to reconnect with what remains of her family. This middle-grade novel explores themes of resilience and the different ways people cope with trauma. The narrative demonstrates how support systems and small acts of kindness can help rebuild a shattered world.

Readers connect with the authenticity of Aubrey's grief and emotional journey following family tragedy. Many note that the book handles heavy themes in an age-appropriate way for middle-grade readers. Liked: - Natural portrayal of healing and recovery - Strong supporting characters, especially Gram and Bridget - Realistic depiction of therapy and mental health - Letters format adds emotional depth Disliked: - Some find the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers felt the ending was too neat - Younger readers sometimes struggle with the serious subject matter Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (16,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Reader quote: "This book doesn't shy away from grief but shows how love and support can help us survive loss" - Goodreads reviewer Parents note it works well as a discussion starter for difficult topics with children ages 10-14.

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🌟 The author, Suzanne LaFleur, was inspired to write this story while working as an elementary school teacher, where she witnessed children dealing with loss and grief. 🌟 The book tackles complex themes of grief and recovery through the eyes of an 11-year-old protagonist, making difficult subjects accessible to young readers. 🌟 A major symbol throughout the novel is the fish Sammy, who represents Aubrey's journey from isolation to connection as she learns to care for another living being. 🌟 The story's Vermont setting was carefully chosen to create physical distance between Aubrey and the scene of her family's tragedy in Virginia, mirroring her emotional journey. 🌟 Love, Aubrey has been translated into multiple languages and is frequently used in school curricula to help students discuss and understand themes of loss, healing, and family bonds.