Introduction

2017 IBPA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SILVER MEDAL FOR MEMOIR
2017 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST
2017 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE FOR MEMOIR
2016 READERS' FAVORITE SILVER MEDAL FOR MEMOIR
2016 BEVERLY HILLS BOOK AWARDS SILVER MEDAL FOR MEMOIR
 
"A triumphant story of a woman coming to terms with the loss of her mother and an inspiring, though haunting, testament to the endurance of the human spirit." -- (Kirkus Reviews)
 
When young Barbara Bracht's mother suddenly vanishes from her life, no one tells her that her mother has died while giving birth to her younger brother, Eddie. Her father is intent upon erasing any memory of his dead wife, but Barbara continues to believe that her mother is missing until a cousin tells her the truth. As the years of deception unravel, the tough and sassy Barbara struggles to pursue her own dreams and make peace with a crushing family secret.
 
Offering hope, Veronica's Grave is a captivating story that asks us to consider what parents owe their children, and how far a child will go to keep the memory of her mother alive.

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

In what ways is Ed a good father? What are his shortcomings as a parent? Do you attribute his shortcomings to the time period in which the narrator grew up? Or to something lacking in her father as a person? What qualities of a "good parent" does he seem to lack?

Discuss the other adult figures in the narrator's life while growing up - Nana, Mrs Schwarz, Miss Marge. How were they supportive? How were they not supportive?

Throughout her childhood, who is the narrator closest to? Explain how.

Why do you think the narrator's father wanted to keep it a secret that Miss Marge was not her biological mother?

How might the narrator's childhood have been different if the narrator and her siblings had been told the truth early on?

The child idolizes Nancy Drew, who she sees as brave and fearless. Is the child brave? spunky? a milquetoast? What evidence can you offer?

How do you feel the narrator's childhood shaped the choices she made later in life?

Were there moments when you particularly empathized with narrator? If so, when and why?

What do you make of the child’s longing for a house? What does she dislike about the house on Crescent Place? What does she like about the house on Decatur Avenue?

There are a number of themes—that of unresolved childhood grief, the importance of education for young women; and family secrets and the damage done by them. Which if any, did you identify with? Explain.

Weblinks

»	Read an Excerpt
»	Author's web site
»	NY Magazine Blog Interview with author
»	NY1 Interview with the author
»	Bravo Blog interview with the author
»	NY Post Intrerview with author
»	Author's blog: Desperately Seeking Paris

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