Love and Peaches

April 1, 2009
Gr 8 Up-In this conclusion to the series that began in "Peaches" (HarperCollins, 2005), the author delights once again with more friendship, love, and, of course, peaches. Leeda and Murphy, both living in New York City, and Birdie, studying in Mexico, return to Darlington Orchard where they once again bond. Leeda is home to listen to the reading of her grandmother's will, thinking she will be back at Columbia University and in her boyfriend's arms in two weeks. She finds herself staying longer than expected and encounters changes that make her question who she is. Murphy comes face to face with her past, including her first love whom she turned her back on before leaving. Birdie Darlington abruptly returns home on a whim. She discovers that the orchard is up for sale and that her house is falling down. Determined to save both, she must learn the hard lessons of letting go and growing up. These young women are richly painted, and each one comes to terms with her past and stands ready to face the future. The ending of the series is neatly wrapped up, and new readers and old fans will not be disappointed. This coming-of-age story has beautifully written passages so vivid that readers can almost taste the peaches and feel the Georgia sunshine."Julianna M. Helt, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2009
Leeda, Murphy, and Birdie are back for one final summer at the peach orchard, during which Leeda rediscovers a love for animals, Murphy finds out who her dad is, and Birdie comes to terms with losing her beloved home. The plot is heavy on description, but the final pages provide fans of the trilogy with a wholly satisfying conclusion.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)