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Listening for Lucca
"I'm obsessed with abandoned things." Siena's obsession began a year and a half ago, around the time her two-year-old brother Lucca stopped talking. Now Mom and Dad are moving the family from Brooklyn to Maine hoping that it will mean a whole new start for Lucca and Siena. She soon realizes that their wonderful old house on the beach holds secrets. When Siena writes in her diary with an old pen she found in her closet, the pen writes its own story, of Sarah and Joshua, a brother and sister who lived in the same house during World War II. As the two stories unfold, amazing parallels begin to appear, and Siena senses that Sarah and Joshua's story might contain the key to unlocking Lucca's voice.
229 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
53 people are currently reading
2477 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne LaFleur
6 books463 followersI grew up outside Boston in Newton, and later Natick, MA. During the school year I went to Catholic school, did a lot of homework, and read a couple books a week. During the summer I read a couple books a day and spent hours swimming and playing outside at our local pool or beach. I was very much a planner, dreamer, and writer, creating plays and shows for my siblings and the neighborhood kids to be in and filling up entire notebooks with novels. I always read late into the night and slept with a book under my pillow.
I went to college in Lexington, VA at Washington and Lee, where I studied English and European History; I went to grad school in New York City at The New School, where I studied Writing for Children.
Now I divide my time between Natick, MA and New York. Due to my frequent travels, I don't really have a "typical" day, but most days I spend some time writing, reading, exercising (swimming, lifting, or walking), and visiting with friends. I like to warm up for writing by playing computer games. I do my best writing at home in my pajamas, though a lot of days I will venture out to a library to work (in jeans and a sweatshirt, rather than PJ's!). Most days I take a nap, which I tend to do with a book on my chest, whether or not I was actually reading it before I fell asleep. I still read before bed, and, now that I'm older and have a big bed to myself, I slide the book I'm reading under the pillow next to me (rather than the one I'm planning to sleep on!).
Because readers of all ages visit me here on Goodreads, I really do like to put up a genuine record of what I read, whether it's for kids, teens, or adults. The books I read are not intended as recommendations for any particular age group.
I went to college in Lexington, VA at Washington and Lee, where I studied English and European History; I went to grad school in New York City at The New School, where I studied Writing for Children.
Now I divide my time between Natick, MA and New York. Due to my frequent travels, I don't really have a "typical" day, but most days I spend some time writing, reading, exercising (swimming, lifting, or walking), and visiting with friends. I like to warm up for writing by playing computer games. I do my best writing at home in my pajamas, though a lot of days I will venture out to a library to work (in jeans and a sweatshirt, rather than PJ's!). Most days I take a nap, which I tend to do with a book on my chest, whether or not I was actually reading it before I fell asleep. I still read before bed, and, now that I'm older and have a big bed to myself, I slide the book I'm reading under the pillow next to me (rather than the one I'm planning to sleep on!).
Because readers of all ages visit me here on Goodreads, I really do like to put up a genuine record of what I read, whether it's for kids, teens, or adults. The books I read are not intended as recommendations for any particular age group.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
July 9, 2013
Siena and her family move to Maine from Brooklyn to help her little brother Lucca. He doesn’t speak, using only gestures to communicate with them. Siena isn’t sad to move, since she didn’t have lots of friends to leave behind. Maine should be a new start for all of them. When they arrive at their big old house on the beach, the family gets to work fixing it up. But both Lucca and Siena believe that the house is haunted by a family that used to live there. Siena finds a pen on a high shelf in her closet that seems to connect her to a young girl who used to live in the house. She also dreams about the girl’s brother Joshua as he fights in World War II. The stories of the two families have striking similarities that give Siena the idea that she may be able to not only fix the present but also the past.
I adored this book. LaFleur tells a story of mystery and ghosts where the past is just as alive and changeable as the present. Throughout the book has a sweetness and wistfulness to it that makes it a pleasure to read. I also appreciated the way that Siena has a tie to the past through her collection of lost items. LaFleur builds her story carefully, so that each element makes an innate sense as it happens. Beautifully done.
The characters are strongly written. Siena is a heroine who can be prickly at times, but has the courage and talents to make a difference. She is an incredible older sister, loving and attentive, but is much more critical of herself. Her parents and younger brother are just as fully realized in the story. The friends that Siena makes in town all also have touches that make them whole as people.
This lovely book transcends genres with its mix of mystery, historical fiction, and fantasy. It’s a winning combination. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
I adored this book. LaFleur tells a story of mystery and ghosts where the past is just as alive and changeable as the present. Throughout the book has a sweetness and wistfulness to it that makes it a pleasure to read. I also appreciated the way that Siena has a tie to the past through her collection of lost items. LaFleur builds her story carefully, so that each element makes an innate sense as it happens. Beautifully done.
The characters are strongly written. Siena is a heroine who can be prickly at times, but has the courage and talents to make a difference. She is an incredible older sister, loving and attentive, but is much more critical of herself. Her parents and younger brother are just as fully realized in the story. The friends that Siena makes in town all also have touches that make them whole as people.
This lovely book transcends genres with its mix of mystery, historical fiction, and fantasy. It’s a winning combination. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
October 20, 2013
I so wanted to love this book! Time travel-paranormal middle grade is probably my favorite genre mashup that I've encountered. Reading the description, I thought this was going to be a wonderful hearkening back to the self-discovery and pure magic of books like A Handful of Time, one of my favorite examples of this genre. With Listening for Lucca, the plot was there, but the character development just wasn't, and in a book like this, that's critical. I never really got to know who Siena was, who Sam was, what kinds of people her parents were, or how Siena felt about moving to Maine. I didn't even get a sense of what she did or didn't like to do. And the central mystery of why Lucca won't talk isn't resolved in any satisfying way.
I wish LaFleur had just written a historical fiction novel about Sarah and Joshua, who were far better developed and more interesting than their twenty-first century counterparts. I dearly wish I could endorse this book, but I just can't give it any more than an "okay" rating.
I wish LaFleur had just written a historical fiction novel about Sarah and Joshua, who were far better developed and more interesting than their twenty-first century counterparts. I dearly wish I could endorse this book, but I just can't give it any more than an "okay" rating.
October 18, 2013
This novel doesn't work. The story is basically as follows:
We have 3 year old Lucca who doesn't speak, for no apparent physical or medical reason. Then there is his 13 year old sister, Siena, who sees the past literally in front of her at awkward moments and fears she is going crazy. She is also able to transport herself through dreams and a magic pen (hello!) to inhabit the bodies of dead people who used to live in their house.
Confused?
Wait! There's more!!
Siena's family has moved to this old home in Maine because she had a dream about it. And her mom thought the boy would start speaking because of the ocean or some such crap. There is also a lot about WWII, a magic key that stops a girl years ago from speaking and a love interest for Siena.
I do not see kids getting this or liking it. I certainly didn't.
We have 3 year old Lucca who doesn't speak, for no apparent physical or medical reason. Then there is his 13 year old sister, Siena, who sees the past literally in front of her at awkward moments and fears she is going crazy. She is also able to transport herself through dreams and a magic pen (hello!) to inhabit the bodies of dead people who used to live in their house.
Confused?
Wait! There's more!!
Siena's family has moved to this old home in Maine because she had a dream about it. And her mom thought the boy would start speaking because of the ocean or some such crap. There is also a lot about WWII, a magic key that stops a girl years ago from speaking and a love interest for Siena.
I do not see kids getting this or liking it. I certainly didn't.
July 17, 2013
I was so intrigued by the summary of this book and I was not disappointed! Siena’s family moves to the coast of Maine to a house that Siena has seen in her dreams. Yes, I know how that sounds. For years 13 year old Siena has had very realistic dreams in which she is in the body of someone in history. She’s traveled the prairie on a buggy, she’s seen war, plagues, disasters, etc. It’s caused her to become the “weird” kid at school and she has no friends. Meanwhile, Siena’s little brother Lucca is nearly 4. He stopped talking two years ago and the family has tried everything to get him to talk. When her parents stumble on a house that resembles the one Siena has described from her dreams, her parents think perhaps the move will help both children.
In the house, Siena finds an old pen. As she writes with the pen, she becomes the little girl who lived in the house during World War II. The little girl, coincidentally, stopped talking. Siena is determined to find out why because she thinks it will help her brother.
I really enjoyed the story and read it in just a few hours. But, I must confess, this is SO my kind of book. My favorite genre is time travel (to the past, not future). Following very closely behind are books where the character may not time travel but is visited by someone in the past or stumbles on old diaries. When I was a kid, one of my fantasies was to move into an old house and find old letters in the attic.
In the house, Siena finds an old pen. As she writes with the pen, she becomes the little girl who lived in the house during World War II. The little girl, coincidentally, stopped talking. Siena is determined to find out why because she thinks it will help her brother.
I really enjoyed the story and read it in just a few hours. But, I must confess, this is SO my kind of book. My favorite genre is time travel (to the past, not future). Following very closely behind are books where the character may not time travel but is visited by someone in the past or stumbles on old diaries. When I was a kid, one of my fantasies was to move into an old house and find old letters in the attic.
September 26, 2014
I won this book on Goodreads. Thank you to the Author for sending it to me.
Siena is a very responsible young girl. She loves keeping things that other people have left behind. She is good at caring for her brother Lucca.
Lucca is a sweet kid but he hasn't talked for over a year. They have been living in Brooklyn. The story starts with the family moving to a house by the ocean.
Siena finds a pen in her new room. But when she tries to write her thoughts, the pen seems to have a mind of it's own and writes about a brother and sister from a time long gone.
As the other story opens up to Siena she thinks that this maybe the only way to help Lucca come out of his shell and start to talk.
This has a magical touch to the story. It's a lovely story of caring about those you love and want to be set free.
Read and Enjoy.
Siena is a very responsible young girl. She loves keeping things that other people have left behind. She is good at caring for her brother Lucca.
Lucca is a sweet kid but he hasn't talked for over a year. They have been living in Brooklyn. The story starts with the family moving to a house by the ocean.
Siena finds a pen in her new room. But when she tries to write her thoughts, the pen seems to have a mind of it's own and writes about a brother and sister from a time long gone.
As the other story opens up to Siena she thinks that this maybe the only way to help Lucca come out of his shell and start to talk.
This has a magical touch to the story. It's a lovely story of caring about those you love and want to be set free.
Read and Enjoy.
August 17, 2015
this was I very good book to read, though I thought it would be scary but it isn't.
August 3, 2013
More of my reviews can be found on my blog. :)
THREE AND A HALF/FOUR STARS!
When I opened this book, I didn't quite know what to expect. I'd never heard of anything like it and all I was hoping for was that it'd turn out as unusual as the synopsis suggested. And it did. Apart from providing me with a unique story, it introduced me to a number of likeable characters and, afterward, left a ghost of a smile on my lips.
Since I'd been reading quite heavy, complex books beforehand, Listening for Lucca was a much-needed break away from it all. It was really quite refreshing. It didn't require too much concentration to get into the story and, once you were in, you couldn't help but turn page after page after page. If anything I'd say this story is targeted more toward a younger audience. I hadn't realised this until I was just about to start the book but it's recommended for 9+. However, I could still appreciate the story. I do think it true that a younger me would have enjoyed the story more though.
The main character, 13-year-old Siena, is truly an extremely likeable character. She's very selfless and always looking out for her brother. Though she blames herself for Lucca's inability to speak, you can tell she does everything to make it up to him - though she really isn't to blame! Lucca, himself, was a really adorable character and I was constantly waiting for him to say something. Sam was also a nice addition to the story. The only character I truly hated was Jezzie. She was manipulative, selfish and just plain nasty!
Overall, Listening for Lucca was a great story to cuddle up with on a rainy day. I easily managed to get caught up in Siena and Lucca's world and it ended up being a really cute read. Siena was an admirable character and Lucca was a wee cutie. I would definitely say that younger readers would enjoy this book more though. The writing style isn't complex or confusing and the romance is only very lightly brushed upon - it is virtually non-existent. I'm still glad I read this story though, it was refreshing and different.
THREE AND A HALF/FOUR STARS!
When I opened this book, I didn't quite know what to expect. I'd never heard of anything like it and all I was hoping for was that it'd turn out as unusual as the synopsis suggested. And it did. Apart from providing me with a unique story, it introduced me to a number of likeable characters and, afterward, left a ghost of a smile on my lips.
Since I'd been reading quite heavy, complex books beforehand, Listening for Lucca was a much-needed break away from it all. It was really quite refreshing. It didn't require too much concentration to get into the story and, once you were in, you couldn't help but turn page after page after page. If anything I'd say this story is targeted more toward a younger audience. I hadn't realised this until I was just about to start the book but it's recommended for 9+. However, I could still appreciate the story. I do think it true that a younger me would have enjoyed the story more though.
The main character, 13-year-old Siena, is truly an extremely likeable character. She's very selfless and always looking out for her brother. Though she blames herself for Lucca's inability to speak, you can tell she does everything to make it up to him - though she really isn't to blame! Lucca, himself, was a really adorable character and I was constantly waiting for him to say something. Sam was also a nice addition to the story. The only character I truly hated was Jezzie. She was manipulative, selfish and just plain nasty!
Overall, Listening for Lucca was a great story to cuddle up with on a rainy day. I easily managed to get caught up in Siena and Lucca's world and it ended up being a really cute read. Siena was an admirable character and Lucca was a wee cutie. I would definitely say that younger readers would enjoy this book more though. The writing style isn't complex or confusing and the romance is only very lightly brushed upon - it is virtually non-existent. I'm still glad I read this story though, it was refreshing and different.
February 21, 2016
Listening for Lucca was a sweet story. There were many elements I really liked but as I sat down to write my review, I found it hard to say exactly what the story was trying to convey - its message, if you will. Still, I liked it and am happy to have read one of my younger daughter's favorite books.
Siena and her little brother, Lucca, and their family, have moved from Brooklyn to Maine in an attempt to ease tension - live a more relaxed lifestyle - in hopes Lucca will speak again. Siena has a special gift - she sees things from the past - in fact, the house her family has moved to is one she's been dreaming about for years. Once they begin getting settled, Siena, and Lucca as well, experience some odd things which have Siena wondering how it is they really ended up here.
The story alternates between the present - Siena making friends, playing with Lucca - and the past - Siena getting the story of a brother and sister who once lived in their house, through trance-like states and/or dreams. There are similarities between Siena and Lucca and Sarah and Joshua, and Siena ends up setting out to help Sarah and Joshua in the past in order to repair things with Lucca in the present.
I liked the story overall. I enjoyed getting to know Siena and her family. I also enjoyed the historical element of Sarah and Joshua's life during WWII. The paranormal element was also well done even thought it's not exactly explained. That Siena is such a compassionate you girl (14 yo) and is willing to do anything she can to help her brother made her very likable. And I, of course, felt for Sarah and Joshua as the dealt with the repercussions of war. The story flowed well and I can understand why this is on my daughter's list of favorites.
Siena and her little brother, Lucca, and their family, have moved from Brooklyn to Maine in an attempt to ease tension - live a more relaxed lifestyle - in hopes Lucca will speak again. Siena has a special gift - she sees things from the past - in fact, the house her family has moved to is one she's been dreaming about for years. Once they begin getting settled, Siena, and Lucca as well, experience some odd things which have Siena wondering how it is they really ended up here.
The story alternates between the present - Siena making friends, playing with Lucca - and the past - Siena getting the story of a brother and sister who once lived in their house, through trance-like states and/or dreams. There are similarities between Siena and Lucca and Sarah and Joshua, and Siena ends up setting out to help Sarah and Joshua in the past in order to repair things with Lucca in the present.
I liked the story overall. I enjoyed getting to know Siena and her family. I also enjoyed the historical element of Sarah and Joshua's life during WWII. The paranormal element was also well done even thought it's not exactly explained. That Siena is such a compassionate you girl (14 yo) and is willing to do anything she can to help her brother made her very likable. And I, of course, felt for Sarah and Joshua as the dealt with the repercussions of war. The story flowed well and I can understand why this is on my daughter's list of favorites.
July 27, 2013
Thirteen-year-old Siena has never quite fit in with her Brooklyn classmates, and even her best friend can't understand how much stock she places in her dreams. When her family moves into a house in Maine, a house that looks just like one featured in one of her dreams, Siena hopes that her new home will provide a fresh start for her and her younger brother Lucca. Lucca refuses to speak despite all his parents' efforts, and as Siena is drawn inexorably to the lives of the original owners of the house, she finds some parallels since Sarah, the younger sister of Joshua who volunteered during the war, also refuses to speak. Whenever Siena uses a pen she found in the house to write, Sarah's story comes spilling out, and she becomes determined to change the lives of Sarah and Lucca even though decades separate them. Young teen readers will find Siena interesting even while being troubled by how the feelings of others from the past seem to haunt her. As she finds friendship with Sam and Morgan, she is even able to quit holding onto all the random objects left behind by others, knowing that they may never be reclaimed by the owners. I found Siena an intriguing character and appreciated the author's honest exploration of the dynamics among her family members. Having the elderly neighbor, Mrs. Lang, as her source for information about Sarah and Joshua may have been convenient, but it took away some of my enjoyment of the book.
November 18, 2013
I loved Suzanne LaFleur's first book, Love Aubrey. It is one of my favorite recent books, so I was eager to read this book by her. This story is a combination of realistic fiction and ghosts/time travel.The blurb describes the book as magical realism. Siena (middle school age) has just moved to Maine from Brooklyn with her parents and 3 year old brother Lucca, who has not spoken in a year. The family is hoping that a fresh start by the ocean might be therapeutic for Lucca. Siena spends her summer exploring the beach and the town, and helping to watch Lucca while her parents fix up their new home. She makes some friends but also connects with a spirit inhabiting their new home. Through an old "magic" pen, Sienna discovers she can write a story about a girl who lived in her home in the 1930s and 40s. She ends up finding a way to travel back in time to make an intervention and fix something that matters. I enjoyed the realistic part of this book, but the time traveling seemed to be a bit forced and not as enjoyable as reading about Sienna and her family. Something she discovers in the past does help her find a solution to Lucca's troubles so the time travel was necessary for the story, but I found myself skimming over the time travel sections. Definitely a book worth reading, but was not a book that made it to the top of my list.
September 3, 2013
After reading 'Love, Aubrey' and 'Eight Keys' this book is just a little bit of a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, the plot is really good - definitely room for improvement but I liked it. The main character however, Siena, seems almost a reincarnation of Aubrey and Elise. They're very similar; moody, difficult, socially inept. They each deal with their (very different) problems along the same lines in the way they think, feel and communicate. There was a lot of potential for Siena to be a very interesting character - but she wasn't because I felt like I already knew her deal just through reading LaFleur's previous two books.
That's why I didn't enjoy 'Listening For Lucca' as much as I could have. That, and because (as per usual), it is a male who possesses the boundless power to ease Siena's anxieties and make her look on the bright side of life. Let's just say that my patience was tried.
Still, if you haven't read 'Love, Aubrey' and 'Eight Keys', you'll probably appreciate this book a lot more than me and I would definitely recommend it for the plot, which is quite lovely.
I'm wavering between two and three stars but what the heck.
That's why I didn't enjoy 'Listening For Lucca' as much as I could have. That, and because (as per usual), it is a male who possesses the boundless power to ease Siena's anxieties and make her look on the bright side of life. Let's just say that my patience was tried.
Still, if you haven't read 'Love, Aubrey' and 'Eight Keys', you'll probably appreciate this book a lot more than me and I would definitely recommend it for the plot, which is quite lovely.
I'm wavering between two and three stars but what the heck.
February 23, 2014
This was a #Mustreadin2014 title for me. My daughter is a huge fan of LaFleur and I was lucky enough to win a copy of this title in a Goodreads giveaway - Suzanne signed the book to my daughter and I gave it to her at Christmas. She carried it with her on every holiday visit to show people and then finally sat down to read it. I "borrowed" it from its special place on her bookshelf. This is an ideal MG title - perfect for readers 10 and up who are beginning to be more independent in the social world but still remain very connected to family and home. There is plenty of introspection and soul searching in this book as we get to know Siena. But there is a whole lot more: ghosts, spirits, visions and mystery. Yet everything is very grounded in the story of a young girl growing up and searching for answers for herself and her family - from the typical questions of this age (Do people think I am strange?) to more complicated questions like why does three year old Lucca refuse to speak? I read this mostly in one early morning read and it was wonderful to be carried away to Maine beaches, old houses and the warmth of family connection.
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June 29, 2016Thank you to the author for this review copy!
3-3.75 stars.
I've listened to this on audio as well as having read it now, and I can't decide which experience I like better; the reading wasn't a favourite of mine, but having it narrated made Sienna a character I could like much more easily, and it helped me understand the things she faced in a way I had struggled to do when I read the book myself. I love the switches in time, the mystery of the family who used to live in the house- what exactly is going on- those elements, memories and the darkness that were shown in some, were my favourite parts, and remain particularly memorable. I have to say that I really struggle with Sienna's mother- she irritates me each time, and her actions aren't all that justifiable or understandable to me.
3-3.75 stars.
I've listened to this on audio as well as having read it now, and I can't decide which experience I like better; the reading wasn't a favourite of mine, but having it narrated made Sienna a character I could like much more easily, and it helped me understand the things she faced in a way I had struggled to do when I read the book myself. I love the switches in time, the mystery of the family who used to live in the house- what exactly is going on- those elements, memories and the darkness that were shown in some, were my favourite parts, and remain particularly memorable. I have to say that I really struggle with Sienna's mother- she irritates me each time, and her actions aren't all that justifiable or understandable to me.
November 17, 2013
Huh? What the heck was that horrible ending? I felt like I was reading the script for one of the recent, incredibly lame Doctor Who episodes.
What started out as a standard realistic family problem book with a supernatural twist turned into something ludicrous. So disappointing.
It seems like the majority of books I'm reading lately start strong and then taper off to blah. Where are all of the editors?
What started out as a standard realistic family problem book with a supernatural twist turned into something ludicrous. So disappointing.
It seems like the majority of books I'm reading lately start strong and then taper off to blah. Where are all of the editors?
January 28, 2014
Really beautiful middle-grade fiction that was reminiscent of Rebecca Stead. Siena has very vivid dreams, an obsession with collecting leftover items, and a 3-year-old brother who stopped talking. To try to help her brother, her family moves from New York City to a Maine beach town where discovers a pen that tells the story of a different girl during World War II who lived in the same house and might have a clue to finding her brother's voice. I loved how her voice captured the uncertainty of a girl who knows she's weird but doesn't realize the strength of her other qualities.
April 29, 2015
This was not your typical story. This would definitely be a book to recommend for anyone who enjoys mysteries or paranormal stories.
The story follows eighth grader Siena, who is struggling to fit in because of her unusual personality and collections. When her brother quits talking, Siena's family decides that moving out of Brooklyn is in his best interest. Finding herself in a new home and surroundings, Siena is trying to find out who she is and figure out where life will take her and her family.
The story follows eighth grader Siena, who is struggling to fit in because of her unusual personality and collections. When her brother quits talking, Siena's family decides that moving out of Brooklyn is in his best interest. Finding herself in a new home and surroundings, Siena is trying to find out who she is and figure out where life will take her and her family.
June 13, 2017
A lovely book for young adults and mothers too !
Lucca is Siena's brother. He is 3 years old and hasn't spoken yet.
The family is relocating to Maine to give everyone a fresh start.
Their new house is full of mystery and the parallel, fantastic story unfolds....
I enjoyed it very much. A quick worthwhile read.
Lucca is Siena's brother. He is 3 years old and hasn't spoken yet.
The family is relocating to Maine to give everyone a fresh start.
Their new house is full of mystery and the parallel, fantastic story unfolds....
I enjoyed it very much. A quick worthwhile read.
January 3, 2016
For such a thoughtful style, the book moved quickly. I loved the appeal of of abandoned things to the protagonist, Siena. And was impressed by the author's portrayal of a loving sibling relationship. Great Read.
September 5, 2013
Is it a ghost story? Realistic fiction? Historical fiction? All three? Whatever you call it, call it pretty darn good. It's kind of a quiet story, but it's one that should not be missed.
December 23, 2013
One Sentence Review: The strong initial premise never quite lives up to its promise by the story's end.
May 3, 2021
This was a reread, but I read it so long ago that I honestly forgot most of the story, which was a good thing, because I didn't remember how the whole mystery played out. It was cool to be able to find everything out for a second time.
I loved how this book stayed very introspective. We were seeing everything from inside Siena's head- her thoughts, her complicated feelings about her parents, her brother and the world around her. This story could've easily been a run of the mill mystery/ghost story, but it was much more than that. Siena's complicated, strained relationship with her mother vs her more open relationship with her dad was also something I appreciated. Her parents were full characters, unlike many middle grade and YA books where the parents are basically just cardboard cutouts or hinderances to the main character.
One of my absolute favorite aspects of this book was Lucca and Siena's relationship. There was so much love there, even though Siena sometimes got frustrated with him or said things she regretted. I loved that they understood each other, and the ways they communicated without speaking. She takes cues from him- she understands how he wants to be treated and spoken to. I just thought it was brilliant how she showed this nuanced, loving, adorable relationship between a sister and brother even though Lucca didn't talk. Everything about this book was full of nuance and subtlety, and I feel like you don't see a whole lot of middle grade that is this focused around relationships and character development. Even with the mystery aspect, which I thought was also very well handled and captivating, there was so much time left to explore these characters and the difficulties they went through. Siena is a shy, withdrawn girl who has difficulty sharing her feelings, difficulty dealing with all the strange things that she can see and no one else can. I loved how connected she was to Sarah, even before she began seeing her memories.
The elements of magical realism were also something I enjoyed. I love books that kind of blur the lines of reality and make you wonder if all of this IS really happening. The subject matter of this book seemed so mature for the age range- not mature as in it was explicit or anything, but it just seemed to handle topics like trauma, familial issues, war, etc with a lot of grace and nuance which I appreciated.
I also loved the dialouge. It seemed natural and in character, and wasn't cliche or clunky.
Really, my favorite thing about this book was how it made me feel. The relationships- between Siena and Sam, Siena and Lucca, Siena and her Dad, Joshua and Sarah- they all just gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
The scenes in Sarah's memory were also so well done. I loved that you were kept guessing, and thought Jezzie as a character was really interesting. Her emotional manipulation and abuse of Sarah's childish trusting nature was really insidious and she was just a great antagonist. I loved how we see Sarah go from young and trusitng, to realizing the weight of the real world once Joshua goes away.
I can see people not liking the kind of"neat" way the story was wrapped up, or wanting a more dramatic, intense reveal at the end. But I thought that the direction it went was perfect. It was understated in a way, and a more gentle exploration of trauma and illness- Siena didn't save the day by stopping a murder or something, but she helped Joshua heal from what happened to him, helped him see his families faces again, and healed her own relationship with Lucca. In a way, I kind of wish that Lucca hadn't begun talking again at the end, because I feel like this journey that Siena went on kind of showed her that Lucca didn't have to talk- he was still her brother and it was that relationship that she had to hold on to. But I can see that Lucca did talk on his own terms, and it was gradual so it wasn't something that happened all at once.
I loved how this book stayed very introspective. We were seeing everything from inside Siena's head- her thoughts, her complicated feelings about her parents, her brother and the world around her. This story could've easily been a run of the mill mystery/ghost story, but it was much more than that. Siena's complicated, strained relationship with her mother vs her more open relationship with her dad was also something I appreciated. Her parents were full characters, unlike many middle grade and YA books where the parents are basically just cardboard cutouts or hinderances to the main character.
One of my absolute favorite aspects of this book was Lucca and Siena's relationship. There was so much love there, even though Siena sometimes got frustrated with him or said things she regretted. I loved that they understood each other, and the ways they communicated without speaking. She takes cues from him- she understands how he wants to be treated and spoken to. I just thought it was brilliant how she showed this nuanced, loving, adorable relationship between a sister and brother even though Lucca didn't talk. Everything about this book was full of nuance and subtlety, and I feel like you don't see a whole lot of middle grade that is this focused around relationships and character development. Even with the mystery aspect, which I thought was also very well handled and captivating, there was so much time left to explore these characters and the difficulties they went through. Siena is a shy, withdrawn girl who has difficulty sharing her feelings, difficulty dealing with all the strange things that she can see and no one else can. I loved how connected she was to Sarah, even before she began seeing her memories.
The elements of magical realism were also something I enjoyed. I love books that kind of blur the lines of reality and make you wonder if all of this IS really happening. The subject matter of this book seemed so mature for the age range- not mature as in it was explicit or anything, but it just seemed to handle topics like trauma, familial issues, war, etc with a lot of grace and nuance which I appreciated.
I also loved the dialouge. It seemed natural and in character, and wasn't cliche or clunky.
Really, my favorite thing about this book was how it made me feel. The relationships- between Siena and Sam, Siena and Lucca, Siena and her Dad, Joshua and Sarah- they all just gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
The scenes in Sarah's memory were also so well done. I loved that you were kept guessing, and thought Jezzie as a character was really interesting. Her emotional manipulation and abuse of Sarah's childish trusting nature was really insidious and she was just a great antagonist. I loved how we see Sarah go from young and trusitng, to realizing the weight of the real world once Joshua goes away.
I can see people not liking the kind of"neat" way the story was wrapped up, or wanting a more dramatic, intense reveal at the end. But I thought that the direction it went was perfect. It was understated in a way, and a more gentle exploration of trauma and illness- Siena didn't save the day by stopping a murder or something, but she helped Joshua heal from what happened to him, helped him see his families faces again, and healed her own relationship with Lucca. In a way, I kind of wish that Lucca hadn't begun talking again at the end, because I feel like this journey that Siena went on kind of showed her that Lucca didn't have to talk- he was still her brother and it was that relationship that she had to hold on to. But I can see that Lucca did talk on his own terms, and it was gradual so it wasn't something that happened all at once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2022
An odd story that never quite holds together. Our main character's thoughts and feelings are never portrayed in any depth. I felt cut off from her the whole time. While I appreciated her internal dialogue (the most engaging part of her character was her constant awareness of how she was being perceived, worrying she seemed weird or awkward or embarrassing), her emotional reactions just didn't feel believable to me. She starts having flashbacks to the past, ones she often can't control or differentiate from reality, but seemed pretty comfortable and confident with it most of the time. She makes a couple of friends, but those friends are never developed to a level that made them compelling. The brief flashbacks to the past are more intriguing than the main plot because the stakes are so much higher, and yet the coincidences feel too contrived, too simplistic. It's a sweet story, but the pieces don't converge.
The author also didn't really know what to do with Lucca, Siena's younger brother who doesn't talk. The family is very invested in "fixing" him, but also Siena needs to learn to love him as he is and accept that he doesn't want to talk and that's okay, but also she needs to travel to the past and learn about an old-timey girl who stopped talking due to trauma, loss, and the cruelty of a cousin (which makes not talking feel horrific, since in that context it totally is), and if she figures out the situation then Lucca will start talking again, except only slowly in his own time which is fine and entirely up to him, but also he needs to talk so his family can be okay emotionally . . . all the parts about loving and accepting him felt disingenuous when "get Lucca to talk" was so important to everyone, and when the plot was pulling us toward speech as a goal. There are much better stories about selective mutism out there.
There truly were things to like here; the author evokes a sense of place with the nearby beach, and the relationship between the siblings in the past is touching. But the mental-health messages (including one about how to cope with wartime PTSD) are too simplistic to feel respectful, or to evoke the hope they're trying to create.
The author also didn't really know what to do with Lucca, Siena's younger brother who doesn't talk. The family is very invested in "fixing" him, but also Siena needs to learn to love him as he is and accept that he doesn't want to talk and that's okay, but also she needs to travel to the past and learn about an old-timey girl who stopped talking due to trauma, loss, and the cruelty of a cousin (which makes not talking feel horrific, since in that context it totally is), and if she figures out the situation then Lucca will start talking again, except only slowly in his own time which is fine and entirely up to him, but also he needs to talk so his family can be okay emotionally . . . all the parts about loving and accepting him felt disingenuous when "get Lucca to talk" was so important to everyone, and when the plot was pulling us toward speech as a goal. There are much better stories about selective mutism out there.
There truly were things to like here; the author evokes a sense of place with the nearby beach, and the relationship between the siblings in the past is touching. But the mental-health messages (including one about how to cope with wartime PTSD) are too simplistic to feel respectful, or to evoke the hope they're trying to create.
May 28, 2019
Siena's three year old brother Lucca doesn't speak, and it's tearing the family apart--because he used to speak. Now, Siena's parents have decided that moving away from the crowds in NYC will help Lucca, and they're influenced by Siena having very vivid dreams of a house by the sea. In fact, when they find a beachside house in Maine, they tell Siena it's exactly like the one she's been describing to them. Siena doesn't believe it--but it's true. And what's more, she gets the feeling that there's more to their move here than any of them suspect. Siena has always had a sixth sense; she's always seen glimpses of the past here and there, which has made it difficult for her to have friends. They think she's too weird. In Maine, Siena wonders how long it will be before the local kids think the same, because now she's not only seeing glimpses of the past, she's dreaming the life of a young soldier abroad, and, using a pen she found in the house, writing down the story of a girl who used to live there. Siena knows that everything's connected--the house, the soldier, the girl, and Lucca's silence. Is there anything she can do to put all the pieces together?
I ended up quite liking this one, even though I sometimes had trouble suspending my disbelief. The descriptions of Maine--particularly the beach--are atmospheric and make you feel as though you're there, though I might also be influenced by having loved Robert McCloskey's One Morning in Maine when I was a kid! I liked the close brother-sister relationships, and the fact that those relationships were far from perfect. Everyone had layers, although Siena's new friend Sam was a bit too aspirational at times. I liked the story within the story--of the siblings from the past--and in the audiobook I appreciated that the narrator gave different voices to Siena and Sarah so you could easily tell them apart.. While I didn't quite buy Siena as a 13 year old--she felt younger--overall this was a win.
I ended up quite liking this one, even though I sometimes had trouble suspending my disbelief. The descriptions of Maine--particularly the beach--are atmospheric and make you feel as though you're there, though I might also be influenced by having loved Robert McCloskey's One Morning in Maine when I was a kid! I liked the close brother-sister relationships, and the fact that those relationships were far from perfect. Everyone had layers, although Siena's new friend Sam was a bit too aspirational at times. I liked the story within the story--of the siblings from the past--and in the audiobook I appreciated that the narrator gave different voices to Siena and Sarah so you could easily tell them apart.. While I didn't quite buy Siena as a 13 year old--she felt younger--overall this was a win.
September 29, 2017
In the book “Listening For Lucca” by: Suzanne Lafleur. A girl named Siena lives with her family in chaotic Brooklyn. She has a brother that hasn't spoken a word in over a year and two concerned parents. Siena has a special gift. She can see into the past. She doesn't know how to control her ability to see into the past sometimes.Her parents decided the family should move because Siena's lack of friends and Lucca speech issue. She has dreams of a house her house that she is moving into.She experiences new visions of the past of this house. She finds a pen that when she writes with it put her in a little girl's eyes. She doesn't speak just like Lucca. Could unlocking the little girl's voice help Siena unlock luccas voice? Suzanne wants the reader to understand determination can solve many problems. Siena was very determined to unlock luccas voice. Siena spend lots of time with her brother and try little questions to see if Lucca will answer them. She risked her life by going back in time controlling the little girl. It was hard for her to switch back into the present. She wondered if she could fix things with the little girl(to get her to speak) would it help lucca. She was very determined to get Luccas voice back.This is a great story, but it is very slow in the beginning but other than that it is a great book.It has many cliff hangers and leaves you on the edge of your seat. It is an amazing story line and as the story continues you learn more about the past and more clues to unlocking Luccas voice. Readers who enjoyed Harry Potter will enjoy this book because they are both outcast in the beginning but later in the story they make friends. They are both determined.
February 7, 2020
Listening for lucca is probably my favorite book I have ever read. It's so good and gets me so hooked in every part especially the part when she wandered on the beach and met the old woman and began to create a relationship with her. When this book started I was not intrigued but when they began to talk about how her brother went silent I was hooked for the rest of the book, these kinds of characters are my favorite because it makes the author explain their qualities so much more than they do with other characters. When they started the book with her seeing historical things I got a little nervous to read the rest of the book, that is because my styles of books that I like to read are not in the category of visions. The book began to get better when they started to show the life and the experiences they have had. In every chapter they would add a new twist to the story for example the time when her dad was trying to get her enrolled in school this part related so much to me because sometimes meeting new people can be very challenging. The way the author wrote this book was amazing because they brought up the house and how it was the exact one from her dream. Then the author went into great detail and even explained what the house looked like and where the rooms were and how it made her feel the first day they moved in. I love how they made her character so rich in personality. They added how she always loved to save trinkets because they were forgotten. This book was so well written and I loved mostly every part of this book if I would rate this book a 5/5 and I suggest you all read this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2021
Listening for Lucca
Suzanne LaFleur
A wonderful heartfelt read that will cause readers to fall in love with this book. As a young girl Siena moves away with her family hoping to find a peaceful life near the ocean. With her little brother being mute from birth Siena wanders through life finding many hidden secrets on the way. This story is remarkable and deserves to be read by all. I must say there was only one part of this story which I didn’t understand and could cause confusion but just keep reading as all will be revealed and make sense by the end.
Busters Thoughts – When did we read this Eve? Honestly you read far too much and now I have no clue which book this is…Wait I think it’s coming back to me. Nope I lost it again…
Ages 13+
Listen Parents – mild mature themes, romance (kissing), very mild coarse language, very mild sexual reference and some scary scenes
Go to Bustersbookscom OR @bustersbooks on Instagram For More
Suzanne LaFleur
A wonderful heartfelt read that will cause readers to fall in love with this book. As a young girl Siena moves away with her family hoping to find a peaceful life near the ocean. With her little brother being mute from birth Siena wanders through life finding many hidden secrets on the way. This story is remarkable and deserves to be read by all. I must say there was only one part of this story which I didn’t understand and could cause confusion but just keep reading as all will be revealed and make sense by the end.
Busters Thoughts – When did we read this Eve? Honestly you read far too much and now I have no clue which book this is…Wait I think it’s coming back to me. Nope I lost it again…
Ages 13+
Listen Parents – mild mature themes, romance (kissing), very mild coarse language, very mild sexual reference and some scary scenes
Go to Bustersbookscom OR @bustersbooks on Instagram For More
December 31, 2023
4/6
I really liked this story.
It was pretty straight forward and I liked all the characters. Though to be honest, I was more invested in Sarah and Joshua's story than I was Siena and Lucca's.
I was happy with the resolution, everything turned out well in the end!
I did kind of wish that Sarah or Joshua would have come back to the house as an adult to visit and meet Siena to thank her for her help in "her" time. Also, Siena wasn't trying very hard to find anything out about hte previous owners of her house. She asked one old lady neighbor, but not her new friend whose family owns the grocery store, or the library that would be sure to have saved old newspapers, and have files about previous property owners.
Also, I wanted to know if Siena gets rid of her collection of abandoned things or if she keeps them. Is she able to use Sarah's pen to "see" the past any more or is the magic gone?
I really liked this story.
It was pretty straight forward and I liked all the characters. Though to be honest, I was more invested in Sarah and Joshua's story than I was Siena and Lucca's.
I was happy with the resolution, everything turned out well in the end!
I did kind of wish that Sarah or Joshua would have come back to the house as an adult to visit and meet Siena to thank her for her help in "her" time. Also, Siena wasn't trying very hard to find anything out about hte previous owners of her house. She asked one old lady neighbor, but not her new friend whose family owns the grocery store, or the library that would be sure to have saved old newspapers, and have files about previous property owners.
Also, I wanted to know if Siena gets rid of her collection of abandoned things or if she keeps them. Is she able to use Sarah's pen to "see" the past any more or is the magic gone?
August 27, 2018
This was an excellent book. My daughters and I listened to the audio version in the car and always looked forward to running errands so that we could get the next piece of the puzzle. The story is not simple, as it jumps from one time period and set of characters to another, centering on the main character, Sienna, and her little brother, Lucca. I can't share much without giving too much away, but this is almost a mystery story with some historical parts that almost ring of a ghost story, although there isn't anything like haunting in it. It's not scary, but I would recommend it for 6 years and up because the structure is harder for younger children to follow (although my almost-five-year-old still seemed to enjoy it). We have now listened to all three books that Suzanne LaFleur has written so far and really enjoy her style. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
February 5, 2023
My 7 year old daughter found this in our library and asked me to read it, she said it looked really nice. This is a young adult book, and it was cute. It was a change of pace from my regular reading. Sienna is a sister of a three year old boy named Lucca who doesn't speak, not because he can't... because he won't. After leaving the hustle bustle of Brooklyn, they arrive to Maine which is not just a change of scenery but also a mystery of the life of a young girl named Sarah that lived in their new hours a long time ago. Learning more about this young girl may just be the answer to helping Lucca.
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