Love, Aubrey, a first novel by author Suzanne LeFleur, is a story aimed at middle grade readers.
Aubrey, the main character, loses her father and younger sister in a car accident, but for all intents and purposes loses her mother, too. Even though her mother survives the wreck, she does so as a shell of her former self. Written from Aubrey's point of view, the narrative takes readers on a journey of an eleven year old dealing with death and the separation that comes when her mother, in her grief, sets off across the country, leaving Aubrey behind. When her grandmother figures out Aubrey is alone, she takes her to her home in Vermont.
With the help of Gram, her new best friend and neighbor, Bridget, and Bridget’s family, Aubrey slowly begins to heal.
The title comes from the letters Aubrey writes. At first the letters are written to Jilly. Jilly was her little sister’s imaginary friend. Along the way some of the letters are written to others, such as her mother. The letters help Aubrey deal with some of the issues she is facing.
The book, published in 2009, has 262 pages. It is an AR book worth seven points and is written at an upper 3rd grade reading level. It has received the Parents’ Choice Award and was a Mark Twain Award Nominee and a Caudill Award Nominee.
LeFleur’s second book, Eight Keys, was published in 2011. This is also a middle grade, or ‘tween, book.
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