REVIEW: The Purple Girl by Audrey Kane

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The Purple Girl by Audrey Kane
Middle Grade, Adventure/Magical Realism
4.0 rating
138 pages

CAUTION! Violet lives within the pages of this book. And her purple spreads to everything she touches…

Violet lives behind garden walls. Is she magical? Is she the devil’s child—or simply cursed? When the lonely thirteen-year-old embarks on a dangerous journey to find the one boy that dared to befriend her, she travels at night...in the dark...to keep people from seeing her purple skin. But no one is more surprised than Violet when she unlocks her mysterious gift.

My Review

This is a sweet little story suitable for all ages, but would probably be enjoyed most by younger readers (10-13).

Violet, from birth, was different. She was purple and she shared that color with anything she touches. Needless to say, this definitely marked her. And, people fear what is different. Violet wishes she could change things, but comes to find out that maybe things aren't as bad as she thinks.

My only complaint about this story is that it was too short. I would have loved to see a little more about Violet and her life. There was another character in the story that Violet sees briefly in a vision. I would have liked to find out more about him and how he and Violet are connected.

I do like the character of Violet though. Even with all she's gone through in her short life, she has a sweet character. I was very glad to when she found a friend, and I was sad when he had to move away. I can really understand why she felt she needed to try to find him. After all, it's hard to lose a friend...especially when it's your only friend.

Here's hoping that Ms. Kane has more stories set in this world in store. I would really like to read more of them.

Now, enjoy an excerpt:

This is how the story was told to me.

When the midwife brought me into the world, she let out a scream. Hands trembling, she swaddled me in a white blanket, leaving only a small opening so I could breathe. She refused to let my mother see me until my father appeared and stood by her side. Purple mist seeped through the white blanket, staining the midwife’s fingers.

“God help us all. This baby is cursed!” the midwife cried, thrusting me into my father’s arms. She grabbed a rag and tried to scrub the stains off her hands.

As my father unwrapped me, the color drained from his face. My mother, weak from the delivery, reached toward him...or perhaps to me.

“What’s wrong?” After a moment, he held me up.

My mother wailed when she saw her purple baby.

My father turned away from her and laid me in the cradle, far from my mother, his fingers shaking as he bundled me in the plum-colored blanket. He remained silent, wiping his purple stained palms on his pants. The stains wouldn’t stay on him forever... only a few moments...but he didn’t know that then.

“Oh, Samuel,” my mother sobbed. “How did this happen?”

My father gazed into my eyes, and when he finally spoke, his voice broke.

“We’ll call her Violet.” He stroked a tuft of my lavender hair and sank to his knees.

About the Author

As a writer, and also a designer of tapestries with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Georgia, it is only natural for Audrey to weave visual stories. When she is not designing tapestries, she is busy conjuring up characters that find themselves in extraordinary situations. Between carpools and design work, she is plotting, scheming, writing, and revising. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, their three children, and her unruly dog, Rascals. Audrey's favorite time to write is in the early morning while her family sleeps. With Rascals sprawled out snoring beside her, it only takes one oversized cup of coffee to get her mind moving.

Audrey is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. She loves traveling, museums, and blackberry-apple pie. Actually, she loves all kinds of pie. And she especially loves her family. They have put up with Violet and Waxy for a long time. You can visit her at: www.audreykane.com or Facebook.
The Purple Girl can be bought at Amazon