Girl Under Glass by Ginny Rorby follows thirteen-year-old Kelsey McCully, who is struggling with an alcoholic mother and a shoplifting record. When Kelsey is arrested for shoplifting, she is sentenced to 300 hours of community service with a local botanist. Despite a rocky start, Kelsey soon develops a warm relationship with him, his cat, and an entire greenhouse of plants and discovers through science that plants can communicate. When a crime occurs at the greenhouse, it’s up to Kelsey to pay attention and let the plants expose the perpetrators. Girl Under Glass is a story of growth, loss, changing one’s path, and forming new relationships and friendships.

Girl Under Glass is a captivating story: I devoured it from cover to cover in one night. The author uses a great plot, complex, fleshed-out characters, and a rich writing style to craft a young adult novel that resonates with readers of all ages. With a steady narrative, Ginny Rorby beautifully sets the pace for the action and robbery, while also providing insightful backstory for the characters. The plot features fantastic characters like the loving and accepting Lauren and the eccentric, Einstein-like botanist Hobbes, and some characters that evoke mixed emotions, such as Kelsey’s mother, conquered by her addiction and neglect of her daughter. I particularly appreciated the exploration of experiments and science, illustrating how all living beings are interconnected and capable of communicating with each other. Additionally, this book touches on important social issues such as addiction, mental health, and the criminal justice system, sparking meaningful conversations and reflections. I highly recommend Girl Under Glass to anyone who appreciates a compelling read.

Girl Under Glass by Ginny Rorby is a heartwarming tale that tells the story of a juvenile delinquent who tries to curb her loneliness with petty crimes. Kelsey McCully doesn’t have the greatest life with a bipolar, alcoholic mother. When Kelsey is arrested for stealing a plant, she is given community service. She has to work for a botanist studying communication in plants. When the botanist is attacked and left for dead, Kelsey knows that there were witnesses to the crime – the plants – but how will she persuade the police of this? And how does she prove it?

Girl Under Glass by Ginny Rorby is a fascinating read. While it is a fantastic mystery story with a wholly unique plot, it is also a story of life, of the very real struggles that some children face as they grow up, especially those with less-than-ideal home lives. It deals with alcoholism and mental health issues sensitively but truthfully, highlighting the stark reality of living with illness, no matter what it is. This is a well-written story with a scientific element, and it will grip you from the first page. The characters are real people that most readers will relate to in one way or another, and the descriptive prose is easy to follow. The story has plenty of action, and you’ll be invested in the plot all the way through. This is one of the most inspirational stories I have ever read, proving that no matter what your upbringing, there is always something that can put you back on the right track in life. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it to teens and adults.