“Posthumous” by Paul Aertker is one of the most moving books I’ve ever read on grief and loss. This YA tale tells the story of young Ellie Kerr, whose beloved mother dies of cancer.

While living in Paris, Ellie’s mom wrote a series of children’s stories but died before they could be published. After Ellie and her father return to the States, she becomes determined to connect to her mom’s spirit by reading her work. But she can’t get computer access unless she can guess her mom’s password. And four unsuccessful attempts will destroy the computer’s data and the stories. Will Ellie succeed? Highly Recommended! 5/5

Pub Date 25 May 2018

Thanks to Flying Solo Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#Posthumous #NetGalley

Truly lovely story. I didn't realize it was YA but it doesn't have to be. Very well written and absorbing. Definitely a strong female character

Ellie and her dad have just moved back to the States from France. But everything is different now, everything is wrong. Her mother has died and they are lost without her. It is Ellie's that she can somehow get her mother's much rejected manuscripts published but when she tries to open her mother's laptop to get them she finds out the password is changed. Her mother's laptop is a special computer and will only accept 3 wrong password attempts before it starts deleting files. Can Ellie figure out the password and move on with her life?
The first half of the book actually goes back to her mom's diagnosis and the events leading up to her death. As I read it I knew there had to be a hint there as to the password. Then the book started following Ellie's new life and friends as she continued to try the password. I won't give spoilers but it was a nice ending.
My one complaint was that I wish there was more development of Ellie and her new friends. They seemed to click very quickly and time passed rapidly in that part of the book. But I liked it overall.

Ellie Kerr has a wonderful life living in Paris. Ellie’s friends are a large part of her life, and so is her Dad, but especially her quirky Mom. Her Mom is fun-loving, one smart lady, and a writer. Ellie’s Mom writes a collection of children’s stories based on different countries. Then, the unthinkable happens. Mom gets sick and no matter how much she wants to stay with her family, she passes, leaving a hole that only love, memories, and maybe possibilities can fill.
Ellie moves with her Dad back to the states for his new job and Ellie starts in a new school making new friends. The one thing she won’t give up on is finding a way to find out the pass code on her Mom’s computer. If she can do that, she can find a way to publish her Mom’s stories.
New friends, her Dad, and her own persistence and belief must get her through, just as her friends and some wonderful people in Paris helped her through her Mom’s passing.

Sometimes we find books and other times books find us. For me, this was the right book at the right time, another divine appointment in my life.

In so many ways, I related to the character of Etta, the mother of Ellie. Etta kept loving her family well, even as she was facing the biggest challenge of her life. Etta wore crazy-colored running shoes and she loved to laugh. Etta had to tell her child about about a cancer diagnosis, advanced ovarian cancer. The life storm of cancer rained on this family. Music and laughter were the weapons against this sad rain.

Eleven-year-old Ellie is the narrator of this gem of a book. Ellie faced the many changes and challenges in her life with strength, hope, determination and her team of supporters. Every middle school needs an "I don't belong to a group" group. Such an extraordinary group of kids! They were an excellent example of teamwork at its best. They were always eager to help each other and truly looked out for one another.

Etta had left behind a series of children's books that she had always hoped to publish one day. Ellie and her group made it their mission to accomplish that dream. Kids promoting books, what's not to like?

I really enjoyed this book which was filled with endearing characters and a touching, satisfying storyline. Well done!

Thank-you to NetGalley and Flying Solo Press for a copy of this book.

I really adored the premise of this book, but it fell flat for me for reasons I'm not sure I can express in words. Good idea, good characters, weak development. I wanted more from you, Posthumous :(