The Blue Roses

Summary of Book

Every spring Rosalie, a Native American girl, and her grandfather sow tiny seeds that blossom into bright flowers. A red rosebush, planted under Rosalies bedroom window when she was born, is later joined by pink and yellow ones to make a sunset, Papa tells her. Rosalie asks for a blue bush, to represent the sky, but Papa explains that roses do not come in blue. When he dies the following winter, Rosalies blue rosebush comes to her in her dreams as a symbol of love, memory, and transcendence.

Author Biography

Linda Boyden is of Cherokee and French Canadian ancestry. She is an enrolled member of the United Lumbee Nation. In addition to writing, Boyden works with elementary school children on writing projects and performs as a storyteller specializing in American Indian myths. THE BLUE ROSES is based on a dream she had after her own grandfather died. A native of Massachusetts, Boyden now lives in Pukalani, Hawaii, with her husband. This is her first book.

Illustrator Biography

Amy Córdova is a fine artist who has written and illustrated Abuelita's Heart and has illustrated several other children's books as well. Córdova also works as Art Director of an arts-based cross-curriculum elementary school. Originally from Wisconsin, Córdova now lives in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico.