This is a story about our two main characters who have both lost their mothers. This is a novel that explores grief and how they can take on different forms. 
This book was written beautifully for the middle grade/young adult reader. As an adult I could still appreciate the writing. I think that this book felt like a warm hug to anyone who is experiencing any sort of grief. The main character Una looses her mother after the birth of her younger brother, and I thought the discussion of how she never assumed her brother had anything to do with her mother's death until she heard the governess talking to another adult. I think that this book really touches on some deep topics, but in a way that is age appropriate and I appreciate that as a mom. 
I think that the characters were good and acted accordingly for how old they were supposed to be and that is something that I find so refreshing. I also found the discussion of disabilities with the way that Julian couldn't smell but could hear the plants a special way was such an interesting way to show that just because we may not be able to do things like others that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy things with others. 
My only dislike was that I wanted more to the story, but I know that is a me problem and not a book problem because of the audience that this is written for.
I think this is the perfect book for kids between the ages of 10 and 14 and is especially great for any preteen or teen who is or has dealt with the loss of someone close to them.