Things That Grow

Lori lives with her grandma as the adults in her life are off living their own complicated lives. When Lori’s grandma suddenly dies, Lori’s world is turned upside down. Her mother wants her to move and live with her, but Lori wants to complete her senior year of high school with her best friend Chris (on whom she has a crush) as they have great plans to attend university and work on writing and illustrating stories together. Lori, her Uncle Seth, and Chris undertake a journey to spread her grandma’s ashes and on this trip Lori learns what it means to grow. This coming-of-age story, suitable for literature circles, addresses issues of love, family relationships, friendship, grief, death, and dealing with parents.