Welcome to The Name She Gave Me Blog Tour!
What’s in a Name
by Betty Culley
When my author copies of THE NAME SHE GAVE ME arrived, I got to see the back cover with a quote from the book.
“All these years,
I never spoke about
my lost name.
The shame of losing it.
The shame of wanting it.
But now every time I say
Scheherazade
a strange thing happens—
a piece of my name
comes back to me.”
This is spoken by 16-year-old Rynn, the narrator of the book, who was adopted as a baby. She is expressing her feelings about the name her birthmother gave her when she was born.
I love the way the artist and designer set up the quote, with the colors mirroring the colors on the front. It also moved me that these were the words my editor chose, as they go to the heart of Rynn’s journey—trying to find the missing pieces of her history.
Also, as the title of the book hints at, names are a theme that runs through the novel. Without giving away any spoilers, I’ll say that some of the names in the book are clues that Rynn finds along the way.
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“Wistful verse highlights small but telling moments throughout Rynn’s search…The author’s lived history with foster care and adoption gives the narrative nuance and authority. Emotionally complex and empathetic characters…and a faithfully depicted rural landscape form an exemplary backdrop for this contemplative novel.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Compassionate and compelling.”
—Kirkus
A heartbreakingly beautiful novel in verse about adoption, family, friendship, and love in all its many forms, perfect for fans of Robin Benway and Jandy Nelson, from the acclaimed author of Three Things I Know Are True.
Rynn was born with a hole in her heart—literally. Although it was fixed long ago, she still feels an emptiness there when she wonders about her birth family.
As her relationship with her adoptive mother fractures, Rynn finally decides she needs to know more about the rest of her family. Her search starts with a name, the only thing she has from her birth mother, and she quickly learns that she has a younger sister living in foster care in a nearby town. But if Rynn reconnects with her biological sister, it may drive her adoptive family apart for good.
This powerful story uncovers both beautiful and heartbreaking truths and explores how challenging, yet healing, family can be.
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Betty Culley’s debut novel in verse Three Things I Know Are True, was a Kids’ Indie Next List Top Ten Pick, an ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nominee, and the 2021 Maine Literary Book Award Winner for Young People’s Literature. Her first middle-grade novel Down to Earth was inspired by her fascination with meteorites, voyagers from another place and time. She’s an RN who worked as an obstetrics nurse and as a pediatric home hospice nurse. She lives in central Maine, where the rivers run through the small towns.
GIVEAWAY
- One (1) winner will receive a finished copy of The Name She Gave Me
- US/Can only
- Ends 7/10 at 11:59pm ET
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Blog Tour Schedule:
June 27th — Feed Your Fiction Addiction
June 28th — BookHounds
June 29th — YA Book Nerd
June 30th — A Dream Within a Dream
July 1st — Utopia State of Mind
Maria Malaveci says
Hmm, interesting question. I don’t think I would change my name, I really like it! But, I do love the name Valentina!
Danielle Hammelef says
If I changed my name it would be to Midori.
Anita Yancey says
I would change it to the one my mom wanted to give me, which was Belinda.
Bonnie says
I would change it to Michele.
bn100 says
wouldn’t change it