Rosetown

Written by Cynthia Rylant

Narrated by LIsa Flanagan

“Eloquent and resonant…poignantly underscores the significance of family, friendship, and home.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Gentle and old-fashioned in the best sense…a little gem about small-town life.” —Booklist (starred review)
“A sweet story for children dealing with change.” —Kirkus Reviews

From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant comes the charming story of nine-year-old Flora Smallwood and the eventful year she spends in the quiet community of Rosetown, Indiana.

For nine-year-old Flora Smallwood, Rosetown, Indiana, is full of surprises, many of the best of which happen at the Wing and a Chair Used Book Shop, where she loves to read vintage children’s books after school in the faded purple chair by the window.

But lately, those surprises haven’t been so good. Her dear old dog, Laurence, recently passed away. Not long after, her parents decided to take a breather from their marriage, and now Flora has to move back and forth between their two houses. Plus, she’s just begun fourth grade, and it is so much different than third.

Luckily Flora has two wonderful friends—one old and one new. And with them around to share thoughts and laughs and adventures big and small, life in Rosetown still has many sweet moments—and even some very happy surprises!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: May 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781508255611

Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant is a Newbery Medalist and the author of many acclaimed books for young people. She’s well known for her popular characters for early readers, including Mr. Putter & Tabby and Henry & Mudge. She lives in the Pacific Northwest. cynthiarylant.com

[Sarah Stabenow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book. I also love the narrator Lisa. Bakker is funny heartwarming and a book for all ages!

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A reviewer I trust says this is not for very many kids and is too precious. Well, I would've loved it and read it to tatters in 1972, when it is set, when I was 9. Flora is a little too wise to be true, but I would've been glad to get to know her in spite of, or maybe because of that.

It's a short read, and the second of the duology is even shorter, so I hope that you give them a chance, especially if you are a fan of Rylant's other heartwarming books for younger children like those about Henry and Mudge, who could also happily live in Rosetown.

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ordinarily I find Cynthia Rylant's books a bit too sweet, but this one, oh, this one has such a kindness to it that I just didn't mind being in Flora's sweet life for a little while. It's not all roses, Dad and Mom aren't living together, and Flora's adjusting to that, but the nostalgic awesomeness of the bookstore (with flamboyant owner and comfy chair) and the cat and the eventual print shop (!) pretty much cover most of my favorite things. Good friendship in here, too.

Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.

[bookwren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another gem by Cynthia Rylant. Comforting, but realistic with problems and anxieties.