The Memory Thief

Rosie has been taking care of herself for as long as she can remember.  Her mother just doesn't have whatever it is that makes mothers love their children.  She does data entry from home in the small attic room overlooking the ocean, but Rosie is the one who takes care of the house and orders groceries.  She's used to it, but she also longs to have a mother who loves her.

After a fight with her best, and only, friend Germ, Rosie burns all her stories.  She doesn't want to be a child who relies on fairytales.  She could never know that one act would change her life forever.  Now Rosie can see the ghosts who live in her home, and the mystery of her mother's past is slowly coming into focus.  

A ghost boy named Ebb, shows her a hidden book about her mother's years as a witch hunter, and she begins to realize the truth about her mother.  One of the witches, the Memory Thief, stole her mother's memories and her very essence of self.  Now that Rosie has the sight, she is on the Memory Thief's radar, too. 

But the sight also reveals wondrous things she could never imagine:  sentient clouds, a moon goddess who is an aloof opposing power to witches, and a ladder to the heavens where the brave can seek her help.

Using the Witch Hunter's guide and the help of Germ and Ebb, Rosie prepares herself for the quest of a lifetime.  She wants to battle the Memory Thief to save her mother and protect herself from becoming the next victim.  

I absolutely loved this new book by Jodi Lynn Anderson!  It's lush and atmospheric with lyrical prose and a heartbreaking premise.  Anyone with a loved one who has memory loss would go on a quest to restore those memories.  The notes of encouragement Rosie posts in her room and pretends are from her mother are bittersweet and her friendship with Germ is beautiful and realistic.  Highly recommended!