Savi and the Memory Keeper - by Bijal Vachharajani (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Funny, thoughtful, and deeply moving--with a unique blend of fantasy and actual science--this novel explores both personal grief in the face of family loss and collective grief in the face of climate crisis, and how the only way to move forward is through friendship of all kinds.

In Shajarpur, everyone is always happy. The weather is always perfect. But newcomer Savi, a lonely teenager, doesn't know what happiness means anymore. If she were to make a list of things that were the absolute worst, moving to Shajarpur would be right on top. Well, right after missing her father, who just died of a heart attack.

As Savi grapples with loss in a strange new town, she discovers something startling. Not only can she communicate with her father's plants--all forty-two of them--she can talk to the giant ficus tree behind her school. Savi soon learns that Tree (as they are known) knew her father as well and that their friendship was at the heart of a magical network of animals and plants working together to protect Shajarpur.

However, Tree is in danger, along with everything else, and needs Savi's help. As she joins with all kinds of living things to save the town, Savi is shocked to find she is happy again, even if forces of nature are beyond her control.

Review Quotes

"Savi and the Memory Keeper is a poignant novel in which natural connections are a means of triumphing over greed and climate change."

-- "Foreword Reviews"

"Inspiring youth facing -environmental threats ensure for a -timely, urgent read."

-- "School Library Journal"

"Lush, imaginative, and emotionally insightful."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Part environmental fable, part coming-of-age tale, Savi and the Memory Keeper is tender, charming, and deep--a wonderful book."

-- "Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay"

"Savi and the Memory Keeper takes the reader on a journey that walks a line between fantasy, reality, humor, and poignance...Snarky and guarded in the wake of her father's death, Savi ends up showing us how connection--to plants and animals, to her mother and sister--can be the key both to self-renewal and to saving our planet."

-- "Gail Lerner, acclaimed author of The Big Dreams of Small Creatures"

"Enchanting, witty, and achingly beautiful, Savi and the Memory Keeper is at once fantastical and real--where tree hugs heal and wasps are saviors. The author skillfully weaves a narrative of personal and climate grief, and the healing power of Nature."

-- "Prerna Singh Bindra, wildlife conservationist and writer"

"I never expected a book about grief to make me laugh out loud so many times! Savi's story bursts with heart, humor, empathy, affection, and just the right amount of magic. Each page feels more truthful than the last. A touching page-turner for all ages."

-- "Mathangi Subramanian, acclaimed author of A People's History of Heaven"

"Vachharajani's books are so inspirational--they remind us that no matter how scary things may get, how imperfectly we may behave or how hopeless we may sometimes feel, the fight for our planet isn't over."

-- "Vogue India"

"A book of magic. It's about trees and even if there were no talking trees and wasps that communicate, it would still be magic because trees are magic. When you have finished, you'll want to go out and hug a tree. (Just do it.)"

-- "Jerry Pinto, bestselling author"