The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr - ESSENTIAL

Barr, Emily The One Memory of Flora Banks, 290 pages.  Philomel (Penguin), 2017.  $16.  Language: R (38 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (mentions naked); Violence: G.

When Flora was 10, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  It was removed successfully, but now her brain resets her new memories several times a day.  She has to constantly take pictures, write notes, and draw on her arms to remember where she is, how old she is (17), and what she is currently doing.  Then one night her best friend’s boyfriend, Drake, kisses her – and she remembers! Flora’s parents have left to take care of her dying older brother who lives in Paris.  They think Paige is with Flora, but Paige is angry (of course) about the kiss and Flora is on her own.  FLora sure that there is something special about Drake, why else would she remember that kiss.  So Flora takes it upon herself to track him down to the far reaches of Norway and be with her love.  Not an easy task for a girl who may blink and not remember who she is.

I thought this might be gimmicky, like 50 First Dates – cute but fluffy.  Boy was I wrong.  I could not put Flora’s book down.  Watching her cope with her memory wipes and still taking the steps to be where she wants to be is amazing!  I won’t say more, because I don’t want to spoil your journey either!

HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher