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February 2009

Breathe My Name
by R. A. Nelson

Momma doesn't say anything. She drops her arms now and opens her mouth, pulling her lips up away from her teeth, until a sound comes out of her that is not like any sound I've ever heard—a growling, snarling sound, like an animal in the forest, but worse than that. Worse than anything. And Momma's eyes are flat and square, and the sound comes out of her and out of her until I know she is not going to change back, ever.

"No," I say. "Stop. No more, Momma."

I'm backing away, saying, "Stop it, please stop it, Momma. I don't like you like this."

But Momma keeps coming toward us . . .

Frances Robinson appears to have a normal teenage existence. She lives in the suburbs, attends high school, and has a crazy best friend. Just as she starts dating her mysterious, new in town boyfriend, her past comes back to haunt her in the form of a letter.

I need to see you. Please come right away.
     We have to finish.

The letter from her birthmother forces Frances to deal with her dark family secrets. Eleven years ago, her birthmother murdered Frances' three younger sisters. Frances managed to survive and live her life normally up until now, but the letter forces Frances to confront her birthmother, her past, and her fears.

This synopsis was written by a San José Public Library librarian.

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