Kumquat May, I'll Always Love You

by Cynthia D. Grant

Abandoned by her mother, Livvy decides she is smart and self-reliant enough to live by herself, if she can only keep her situation a secret.

Genres: Young Adult

182 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1986

About the author

Cynthia D. Grant is the award-winning author of "Mary Wolf" and "The White Horse." She is a popular American author who writes novels about growing up. Her books appeal to young adults who want to read stories about life in the real world. As Grant commented in an interview with Authors and Artists for Young Adults, "Since 1980 I have published ten books for children and young adults, primarily for the young adult category, which is considered age twelve and up. I don't ever sit down and write 'for' children. I'm an adult; I write what sounds good to me." In her novels, Grant tackles difficult social problems such as alcoholism, child abuse, and homelessness. Grant is not afraid to portray violence and other graphic situations. However, the overall message she conveys is that, no matter what the problem, young adults can survive adolescence. After all, Grant said, "Most of us who write for children or young adults know that they read books not only to be entertained, but to be enlightened and encouraged." Her characters are heroes who triumph over tragedy. They are realistic young people who overcome a variety of obstacles, and stand for the winning qualities of righteousness, maturity, humor, and independence. Grant has received important awards for....for her work, including the PEN/Norma Klein Award in 1991.She lives in the mountains outside Cloverdale, California.

Reviews

[Alison]

I am sure that many kids have thought about living on their own as children and as teens, but would they be able to pull it off? Either (depending upon how you see it) happily or terrible Livvy is abandoned by her mother, she tries to live on her own without anyone knowing. This novel is great for teens, if now a little outdated. Full of issues of abandonment, but also of love, friendship, and coming of age. Probably more appealing to girls than boys.

[April]

I remember almost nothing about this book, but I remember liking it. I liked this book a lot (4 stars), and I'm adding one star out of loyalty. (The author is my aunt's friend.)

So, Buy it! Read it! Send it to your young friends as gifts!

[Katheryn Vaughn]

This was the first real book that wasn't read to me in my life, that I read all by myself, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I also remember, it was the first time I remember feeling a literal heartache. Grant uses such imagination mixed with a realism that almost everyone knows at some point in their lives... a feeling of abandonment. My heart broke for the main character (who's name escapes me at the moment), and, at the age of 9, I somehow knew I would feel the same feelings she did at one point in my life. I was right.
A must read coming of age story for women young and old.

[Emily Eskowich]

A fantastical novel of a mature daughter on her own after her whimsical mother leaves on that very thing-a whim. With a very satisfying end and many twists and turns throughout the book, I read this many times over.

[Steph ✨]

I re-read this book after finishing college and even though it was over ten years ago since I first read it; I enjoyed it just as much. The first time I read it, I had borrowed it from one of my cousins, and when I found it earlier this year, I knew I had to read it again.

[Jacquie]

I read this book as a teen and I loved it. This teen manages to convince the town her mom is still with her after mom leaves her. I loved how the town people were like yeah I saw your mom the other day. I also liked how the teen would put bumper stickers on people's cars. Great fun book.

[Sharon Buxton]

C. YA, contemporary fiction, mom's stash, keep