The Name She Gave Me

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A heartbreakingly beautiful novel in verse about adoption, family, friendship, and love in all its many forms, perfect for fans of Robin Benway and Jandy Nelson, from the acclaimed author of Three Things I Know Are True.

Rynn was born with a hole in her heart—literally. Although it was fixed long ago, she still feels an emptiness there when she wonders about her birth family.

As her relationship with her adoptive mother fractures, Rynn finally decides she needs to know more about the rest of her family. Her search starts with a name, the only thing she has from her birth mother, and she quickly learns that she has a younger sister living in foster care in a nearby town. But if Rynn reconnects with her biological sister, it may drive her adoptive family apart for good.

This powerful story uncovers both beautiful and heartbreaking truths and explores how challenging, yet healing, family can be.

Praise & Accolades

“Told in spare, evocative verse, The Name She Gave Me is a love letter to anyone finding their way home. Betty Culley’s characters have worked their way into my heart and will stay with me long after finishing their beautiful story.”
– Joy McCullough, New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-longlisted, Author of Blood Water Paint

“Emotionally complex and empathetic characters…and a faithfully depicted rural landscape form an exemplary backdrop for this contemplative novel.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“Compassionate and compelling.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Poetic verse is deployed with a poignant beauty…”—BCCB

2022 Young Adult Finalist New England Book Award

On the 2023 Texas Library Association TAYSHAS Reading List

Finalist SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Young Adult Fiction

2023 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults List

On the Oklahoma Library Association’s 2024 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist

2023-24 Honor Book Great Lakes Great Books Grades 9-12 Award, voted by Michigan students

On 2023-2024 Maine Student Book Award Reading List

2023 Maine Literary Award Finalist in Young People’s Literature

On Bank Street’s College of Education’s Children’s Book Committee’s ‘The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2023 Edition’ in the “Coming of Age” category for ages 14 and up, and “Noted for outstanding merit”

On the 2024-2025 Florida Young Reader’s Award lists in the Florida Teen Reads category