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About the Book

Thirteen-year-old Betony has always hated going to her cranky great-grandmother’s house. It’s old, stuffy and boring, and the woodstove in the kitchen is always burning too hot.

One day Betony sits on her Gram’s favorite chair. She is suddenly transported into the past and experiences her gram’s life as if it were in her own memory.

At first Betony is excited and curious, and even learns to cook and quilt. But she soon realizes she is uncovering a terrible, shameful family secret.

Review

Who doesn’t have stories that are rooted with special memories of Grandma? The Memory Chair by Susan White was one of those stories that your love of the book grew more as the book continued. A quick but fulfilling read left such a warm spot in the heart because it brought back so many memories that I’ve shared with my own grandma. Not only was it a nice story but a refreshing one for the young reader to learn and appreciate how precious life is with your family and the memories that bind them for generations.

Betony was such an enjoyable character to read. I know many kids her age may look at visiting their great-grandparents as a chore rather than something fun but the author I thought created a nice plot to bridge that concept. After one day sleeping in her Gram’s chair, she starts getting memories of her life as if it were her own. Watching that curiosity be the catalyst for their blossoming relationship from grudging to visit to want to spend time and learn about her life made a very special read.

The beautiful friendship that develops and the appreciation for the special time spent I think will inspire young people to want to learn about their family’s past. Betony learns so much about life, tolerance and the meaning of how precious time is. Despite this being for a young reader, I think anyone can read and appreciate the beauty of the story. It has such a great message that I would recommend getting a copy.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles