Madapple by Christina Meldrum - NO

Meldrum, Christina Madapple 416 pages. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Language~PG-13, Sexual Content~PG-13; Violence~PG-13

NOT RECOMMENDED

Jimsonweed, madapple, bloodroot, gnaphalium all wild growing plants that play a major role both figuratively and literally in this complex and depressing novel about a young girl named Aslaug. For as long as Aslaug can remember, her mother kept the two of them separated from the world and society. Now she is on trial suspected of murder and arson. Will she be found innocent or will the overwhelming circumstantial evidence convict her.

This novel jerks the reader back and forth past to the present and the storyline is so convoluted that many readers will give up. This novel needed a strong spine to hold it together. I would definitely skip this one . . .even for the public library.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library