This week I decided to re-read “White Oleander,” by Janet Finch. I chose to read it again because it is my favorite book. It is written beautifully.

“White Oleander” is about a girl named Astrid who is placed in a series of foster homes after her writer/artist mother goes to jail for murder. It follows Astrid’s life from home to home. Each home is completely different from the one before, and may I add not always so pleasant. Astrid’s life is always changing and as she is trying to figure out her future, she has to also sort out the past.

I found it amazing how believable the story was. Also, it made me think about how some people actually grow up in dozens of foster homes and what it might be like for them. She had one foster mother who shot her, one who starved her, one who committed suicide and that wasn’t all.

The language of the book is beautiful and poetic. While reading it I wanted to dwell on every word, but at the same time skip over paragraphs to see what was going to happen next.

There is also a movie called “White Oleander,” that is based on the book. If you enjoyed the movie you should read the book, because I found the book to be even more remarkable.