ABANDONED. Fantasy - Mom and two daughters travel to an island where there are magical plants and a rare bird

[Lauren]

So the book was about a mom and her two daughters and how they travel to a tropical island where their dad is residing for bird research. They haven't heard from the dad in a long time. The girls stay in a hotel and explore the island. They meet a boy, who I think was the cash register in the gift shop. Towards the middle of the book, the mom starts acting differently, including letting them buy bikinis. The daughters, I think one's name was Emma, go on an adventure with the register boy. Flowers turn to umbrellas and the younger sister seems to understand the magic of the island. One other detail was that the older sister had to wear a green dress for an event.

On the cover, there were two girls standing side by side in a forest clearing. I think I read this book somewhere in between 2012-2014.

[Kris]

Lauren, is this book for young adults (teens) or older adults?

What's the tone - mystery, funny, romance, thriller, etc.?

Time period? Where does the family live/come from?

[C.]

Sounds interesting, hope it's solved

[Lauren]

Kris wrote: "Lauren, is this book for young adults (teens) or older adults?

I think it was for younger teens, like 12-13. It was in a modern time period because the family took a plane to the island. I don't remember where exactly the family came from, but I'm pretty sure they lived in the U.S. I think it was just a fantasy novel, funny at some parts.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Lauren, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Becca]

Sounds like Here Where the Sunbeams Are Green by Helen Phillips. This might be the cover you remember:

...and here's a bit with umbrella flowers:

I open my eyes and look up again. What I see is a huge blue . . . flower, I guess. Kyle is standing behind me, his chest almost touching my back, holding it over us like an umbrella. Its big, waxy blossom keeps us completely dry while the monsoon booms all around us.
I look back at him and can’t help but smile in amazement. Amazed by the umbrella flower. Amazed that I’m standing in the jungle beneath an umbrella flower with this boy.

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Lauren (OP) last posted in the group in June 2017.