Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jun 2022
416 pages
Genre: Poetry & Novels in Verse
Publication Information
A heartbreakingly beautiful novel in verse about adoption, family, friendship, and love in all its many forms, perfect for fans of Robin Benway and Jandy Nelson, from the acclaimed author of Three Things I Know Are True.
Rynn was born with a hole in her heart—literally. Although it was fixed long ago, she still feels an emptiness there when she wonders about her birth family.
As her relationship with her adoptive mother fractures, Rynn finally decides she needs to know more about the rest of her family. Her search starts with a name, the only thing she has from her birth mother, and she quickly learns that she has a younger sister living in foster care in a nearby town. But if Rynn reconnects with her biological sister, it may drive her adoptive family apart for good.
This powerful story uncovers both beautiful and heartbreaking truths and explores how challenging, yet healing, family can be.
"Culley's (Three Things I Know Are True) evocative verse centers 16-year-old adoptee Rynn searching for answers about her past... The author's lived history with foster care and adoption gives the narrative nuance and authority." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An adoptee herself, Culley writes with insight and nuance about biological families and those formed in other ways. The direct, straightforward poems effectively flesh out the characterization and are accessible to reluctant readers... Compassionate and compelling." - Kirkus Reviews
"Told in spare, evocative verse, The Name She Gave Me is a love letter to anyone finding their way home. Betty Culley's characters have worked their way into my heart and will stay with me long after finishing their beautiful story." - Joy McCullough, New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-longlisted author of Blood Water Paint
This information about The Name She Gave Me was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Betty Culley lives in central Maine, where the rivers run through the small towns. She's an RN who worked as an obstetrics nurse and as a pediatric home hospice nurse. She went into foster care at nine months old and was adopted three years later. As an adult, she was found by five siblings she never knew she had.
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