Astrid Magnussen, the teenage narrator of Janet Fitch's engrossing first novel, White Oleander, has a mother who is as sharp as a new knife. An uncompromising poet, Ingrid despises weakness and self-pity, telling her daughter that they are descendants of Vikings, savages who fought fiercely to survive. And when one of Ingrid's boyfriends abandons her, she illustrates her point, killing the man with the poison of oleander flowers. This leads to a life sentence in prison, leaving Astrid to teach herself the art of survival in a string of Los Angeles foster homes.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch is a captivating novel that tells the story of a young girl's journey through the foster care system after her mother is imprisoned for murder. This large paperback edition features a media tie-in and was selected as an Oprah's Book Club pick, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction. With its vivid characters, beautiful prose, and powerful themes of love, loss, and redemption, White Oleander is a timeless classic that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.