My Name is Rose

Rose is a Romany Gypsy girl living with her extended family as they travel round Eastern Europe. Her family are loving and free-spirited as they make music and teach their children about the world around them and the importance of family. This life is suddenly and cruelly ended when all Rose’s immediate family are killed in a tragic accident. Rose suddenly finds herself travelling to Britain as the adopted daughter of Mr and Mrs Luca, an ex-Romany family. Although the family appears wealthy and can seemingly offer Rose a wonderful life, the true situation is much different. Both Mr and Mrs Luca and their vindictive daughter Victoria have secrets that make them and Rose unhappy. The shock of losing her family and being uprooted from her own traditions and life-style cause Rose not to speak throughout most of the story.

This is a story about loss and growing up, retaining your humanity and being true to yourself in very difficult circumstances. The notion of Mr and Mrs Luca simply taking Rose from the hospital to live with them didn’t quite ring true, but the character of Rose ensures the quality of the story. She is a little girl who finds positives where there seemingly aren’t any and it’s her own traditions and the everlasting memories of the love of her family that ensure that she triumphs and finds her voice. Children of 9+ will enjoy this story.