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Please Note:: I received an advance copy of this novel from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Mila is used to being
alone. Maybe that’s why she said yes to the opportunity: living in this
remote place, among the flowers and the fog and the crash of waves far
below.
But she hadn’t known about the ghosts.
Newly
graduated from high school, Mila has aged out of the foster care system.
So when she’s offered a job and a place to stay at a farm on an
isolated part of the Northern California Coast, she immediately accepts.
Maybe she will finally find a new home, a real home. The farm is a
refuge, but also haunted by the past traumas its young residents have
come to escape. And Mila’s own terrible memories are starting to rise to
the surface.
Watch Over Me is another stunner from Printz
Award-Winning author Nina LaCour, whose empathetic, lyrical prose is at
the heart of this modern ghost story of resilience and rebirth.
Review:
I deeply admire the writing of Nina LaCour. Her books are filled with realistic characters and pack an emotional punch. Her latest book, Watch Over Me, is another winner. I loved the setting, characters, and profound symbolism in this novel. This is a book about children surviving abuse. I can definitely see how this could be a trigger for some readers. That is not to mean that you shouldn't read this if you have suffered abuse. But this book does get right to the heart of the psychological aspects of childhood trauma. Spoiler Alert: It made me cry! But this was not a depressing book. Far from it.
What I Liked:
Setting:
The novel is set on a small, idyllic farm in Northern California, a refuge for foster children. The farm is also a place where kids who have aged out of the foster care system are given jobs working on the farm, and teaching the younger kids. Everyone is dealing with their hidden pain, so the couple who run the farm try to create an atmosphere of calm. There's no internet, television, or even cell phone reception. But they do seem to have something that other places do not...ghosts.
Characters:
Mila, one of the former foster care interns, doesn't know what to expect coming to the farm. Her life has been one of loss. She has lost her grandparents, and her mother has abandoned her. Even before her mother left physically, Mila had to experience horrible betrayal as her other chose an abusive boyfriend over her. Blake, her mother's boyfriend, was sadistic. He enjoyed playing mind games, and reduced both Mila's, and her mother's, self-esteem, until they were dependent on him. Although she is now out of that environment, the damage has been done.
I felt deeply for this character. The aftermath of what she endured shows how devastating child abuse is. It creates life-long scars as victims feel guilt and shame over their abuse. The author captures this in many heart-aching moments.
Lee, Mila's young student, has had even more recent abuse. He is clearly anxious and suffers from PTSD. Mila feels an instant connection to Lee. But, she herself is only in her late teens. She has fierce, protective feelings for Lee. But she isn't really in a position to truly help him. She needs to heal herself before she can be there for someone else.
Symbolism:
The symbolism in this book creates an almost dream-like quality in the book. Places such as the ocean represent danger for some, and refuge for others. The ghosts have definite meaning in the book. I don't want to reveal too much, but they made me cry. The farm itself is a crossroads for the characters. They can use this place of limbo as a space to sort out their feelings, if they are willing to put in the effort.
Trigger Alert for domestic abuse
Rating:
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
Author: Nina LaCour
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Fiction/Magical Realism
Page Length: 272 Pages
Source: Edelweiss
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A profound book about abuse and healing. Very moving.
