​whimsical stories with magic & heart.
August 12,2025 by Delacorte Press, Penguin Random House
A luminous fantasy debut about a young girl who must choose between staying immersed in a magical past with her deceased mother, or saving those she loves most in the complicated, yet real present.
Since her mama died, thirteen-year-old Lavender has a disastrous memory problem. She forgets her lessons with her papa, an apothecary. She develops elaborate evasions to hide her lack of memory of the herbs and remedies she must learn to attain her dream of being an apothecary apprentice. Worst of all, she forgets memories of her mama.
Despite her papa’s disdain for magic, Lavender seeks a memory remedy from a clothing enchantress named Frey. As the two develop a friendship, Frey uses her spinning magic to help Lavender re-experience past moments with her mama. Lavender hears her mama’s laughter again, her singing voice, and how it felt to be wrapped in her hugs.
But when Lavender discovers the truth about Frey’s magic and its vengeful purpose, she must decide whether to stay immersed in beloved memories with her mama or save the people she loves most in the present.
PRAISE for THE MEMORY SPINNER
"Emotions bubble like potions: Grief, anger, jealousy, and regret simmer beneath the surface of richly drawn characters with complex motivations….A heartfelt story that will leave readers hoping for more from this promising new voice.”–Kirkus Reviews
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“Cornwell approaches Lavender’s grappling with grief via richly detailed depictions of love and redemption as the teen navigates emotionally complex relationships. Lavender and Frey’s dynamic is a standout feature of this gentle tale; their individual responses to loss are layered and age-appropriate, culminating in an auspicious debut from an up-and-coming talent." - Publisher's Weekly
“The marvelous mystery takes plenty of compelling elements—the perplexing memory loss, an unusual magic system, a talking raven—and weaves them into an enthralling whole…An enchanting examination of grief and love in all their many forms.” -Booklist
“In the vein of classic fairy tales like Rumplestiltskin and Sleeping Beauty…Educators and social workers will appreciate the ingenious inclusion of social-emotional learning components like anger management techniques, acknowledging that words have power, and the importance of vocalizing thoughts and feelings.” - School Library Journal
“Like an expert alchemist, Cornwell blends heartfelt emotional reality with whimsy and fantasy. You'll root for Lavender from the very start. What a delightful, poignant book!”
-Sarah Allen, Author of What Stars Are Made Of
"THE MEMORY SPINNER is a pitch-perfect cozy fantasy exploration of grief, healing, and friendship. Perfect for fans of Diana Wynne Jones!"
-Cindy Baldwin, Author of Where the Watermelons Grow
"Whimsical and heart-wrenching, THE MEMORY SPINNER is an enchanting exploration of what it means to remember, what it costs to forget, and the price we pay for both.”
- Aubrey Hartman, author of The Undead Fox Of Deadwood Forest
“Beautiful story. Beautiful writing. Beautiful message of hope and healing.”
- Ellie Terry, Author of Forget Me Not