Several years ago Lisette chose this book as her reward for completing the Barnes and Noble’s summer reading program. Lisette, Melinda, Miles and I read this book and we all loved it. The story is great, and has well-developed, likable characters. This was the book that introduced us to the name Saffron. Lisette and I just re-read it and it’s as good as ever.
Our clever protagonist, Saffron Casson, discovered that she was adopted soon after she learned to read because her name wasn’t on the color wheel. Their artist mother, Eve, named all the children after colors; Cadmium, Indigo, and Permanent Rose. Saffron was actually the daughter of Eve’s twin sister, Linda, who died when Saffron was three.
One theme in this book is that of belonging. After Saffron found out that she was adopted, she felt like she didn’t quite belong anymore. She was still the same person, her family loved her the same, but she question of her origins bothered her. She could remember a garden with an angel statuette and wondered about her previous life and her place in her current life.
During the course of the book Saffron finds a new strong-willed friend, Sarah, who decides that they must find Saffy’s angel. Sarah schemes to have her parents take her on holiday to Saffy’s home town in Italy and to have Saffy stowaway in the car. Outrage and Hillarity ensue. They find Saffy’s old residence in Siena, but it is locked and they can’t find anyone home. On the last day of the trip the try one more time, and they enter the garden that is now unlocked. The woman living there recognizes Saffron instantly and tells her to stay, and they talk about when she was small and lived there.
The angel wasn’t there, but it didn’t matter to Saffron anymore. It was the journey, not the destination that really mattered. Saffy went home in peace and she again belonged her to eccentric and loving family.
