Language of Flowers/Vanessa Diffenbaugh/332 pgs.

Victoria Jones has been in foster care all of her life. At the age of 18, she is emancipated--no plans, no future, no hope. In alternating chapters, Victoria reveals her past, which leads up to her present. It is in her telling, that Victoria gives the reason for her interest in flowers--and the reader begins to understand the impact the flowers (and their meanings) have had in shaping Victoria. It's a powerful story, giving a fictionalized account of what happens when a "child" outgrows the foster care system. The journey through Victoria's trials and triumphs is well worth the read. Highly recommended.

Language of Flowers / Vanessa Diffenbaugh 529 p. ALA Rusa Reading List - Best Adult Genre Fiction Award

Abandoned at birth, Victoria Jones has lived in 32 foster homes by the time she emancipates at age 18. Homeless, she sleeps in a park among flowers she has grown. Flowers and their meanings are the only connection to the real world she has. She realizes her talent for healing and helping people through the flowers she chooses for them. Her own world of hurt proves more difficult as she faces single motherhood, attachment issues, homelessness, and anger. Told, alternately, by Victoria, age 9, living with Elizabeth, and 18 year old Victoria, homeless, eating half finished meals left by tourists.

Book Discussion Guide Available from NoveList.


Rusa Reading List - Best Adult Genre Fiction Award