The One Memory of Flora Banks (Philomel, 2017) by Emily Barr is such a heart-breaking story. Here’s the opening line: “I am at the top of a hill, and although I know I have done something terrible, I have no idea what it is.”
Flora has memory problems. She writes herself reminders on sticky notes, and on her arm to help her navigate the world. But often she is surprised that she is not ten–the age she was when she had surgery to remove a brain tumor–but seventeen and wondering why she is in an adult body. However, the night she kisses Drake, her best friend’s boyfriend, everything changes. She can remember this memory without written reminders. Of course, her best friend Paige is angry at her. Flora lets her parents leave for Paris to go take care of her brother with them thinking Paige will be with her, but Paige isn’t coming. Flora keeps reading “be brave” on this journey that changes her life.
This is British author Emily Barr’s first novel. The book is available in 26 languages! Her second novel for young adults, The Truth and Lies of Ella Black, is a thriller that came out in 2018.
Emily Barr is also an adult book novelist. Read more about her on her website.