The Blue Roses - Paperback

by Linda Boyden (Author), Amy Córdova (Illustrator)

A modern-day Native American girl learns to understand the cycle of life after her grandfather dies.

Every spring Rosalie and her grandfather (Papa) sow tiny seeds that blossom into bright vistas of flowers and vegetables. A red rosebush that is planted under Rosalie's bedroom window when she is born, is later joined by pink and yellow ones "to make a sunset." When Rosalie asks for a blue bush to represent the sky, Papa explains that roses do not come in blue. The winter after Papa dies, Rosalie's blue roses come to her in a dream, symbolizing love, memory, and transcendence.

With gentle words and magical images, this contemporary Native American story tenderly embraces the natural cycle of life. Winner of Lee & Low's first New Voices Award, The Blue Roses is sure to touch all who read it.

Front Jacket

On the day Rosalie is born, Papa, her grandfather, plants a red rosebush under her bedroom window. As Rosalie grows, Papa teaches her to love gardening, and on her ninth birthday, he gives Rosalie her own garden plot. When some of Rosalie's plants die, Papa tells her to dig them back into the soil so the other plants will grow strong. "That's what I like about gardens," Papa says. "Nothing ever really leaves."

After Papa dies, Rosalie misses him greatly. One night she dreams of a garden with a trellis of beautiful blue roses, and the vision of that dream shows Rosalie a way to keep Papa in her heart forever.

With gentle words and magical images, this contemporary Native American story tenderly embraces the natural cycle of life. Winner of Lee & Low's first New Voices Award, The Blue Roses is a touching story that resonates with all who read it.

Author Biography

Linda Boyden is of Cherokee and French Canadian ancestry. She is an enrolled member of the United Lumbee Nation. In addition to writing, Boyden works with elementary school children on writing projects and performs as a storyteller specializing in American Indian myths. The Blue Roses is based on a dream she had after her own grandfather died. A native of Massachusetts, Boyden now lives in Pukalani, Hawaii, with her husband. This is her first book. Visit her online at lindaboyden.com.

Amy Córdova is a fine artist who has written and illustrated Abuelita's Heart and has illustrated several other children's books as well. Córdova also works as Art Director of an arts-based cross-curriculum elementary school. Originally from Wisconsin, Córdova now lives in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. The Blue Roses is her first book with Lee & Low.