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August Johnson had a quiet, penguin-pajama childhood until one of his fathers dies suddenly, following August's sixth birthday. At the age of twelve, he's sent away from home to live with his Great Aunt Myrtle, embarking on a six-year estrangement. August doesn't talk about his childhood, until, aged eighteen, an unmarked letter in the mail arrives, telling of his surviving father's sudden sickness and his seeking of his son. Finally, the parting of father and son begins to wane as the road unfolds before August and his spirited passenger—when the estranged will be reunited at last, and the truth of his father's death unearthed.

Quote attributed to Margaret Beaver: "It is both my pleasure and my hell to be your girlfriend, August Johnson."

Handwritten text that says "Flowers for Papa."

Cover of a book titled 'Flowers for Papa' by Margaret Beaver with a background of yellow flowers and green leaves.

Gold-colored oval badge with black lettering that says "2025 New York Book Festival Runner-Up."

Silver medallion with five stars, a stylized heart with a person figure inside, laurel branches, and the text "Readers' Favorite Five Stars."

2024 American Writing Awards Finalist

Awards & Recognition

Readers' Favorite Five-Star Cover Seal
2024 American Writing Awards Finalist
2025 New York Book Festival Runner-Up
2025 Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention

Three spiral notebooks with handwritten notes on lined paper lying on a dark surface.

A handwritten journal open to two pages filled with cursive writing.

Discover the Playlist

FLOWERS FOR PAPA PLAYLIST

"As an immersive piece that encompasses a variety of themes, this work will appeal to a wide audience, especially to those who enjoy stories with detailed character development and personal journeys, as well as to those with interests in self-development and in the topic of estranged parents and children more widely."

—Austin Macauley Publishers
"I have never read an LGBTQ book with so much insight and realism. I laughed, cried, nodded in approval, and held my breath all while reading this incredible story. . . . This book is not spellbinding; it carries you from chapter to chapter, pulling you in with wonder, smiles, frowns, and tears. I would give this a 5-star rating and recommend reading this book."

—Jubaleigh Mason, Author of the "Chronicles of Quixotic" Series
"Author Margaret Beaver skillfully weaves a tale of grief, healing, and the search for truth as August navigates the challenges of growing up and coming to terms with his past. . . . The reading experience showcases the variance and depth of a beautifully written novel that explores themes of love, forgiveness, and the power of connection. . . . Overall, Flowers for Papa is a touching and moving read that delivers a poignant exploration of coming into adulthood surrounded by family, loss, and the enduring power of love."

—K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite, Starred Review
"This is a novel where the destination is second to the journey and Beaver's measured, gentle pacing ensures that we are at all times invested in August's coming of age. . . . Beaver bookends August's narrative with that of Dad, his late father, and Alvin, his surviving father's husband. It's a nice touch that adds an additional layer to the reader's perception of what transpired both before and, as the story closes, after. Overall, Beaver delivers a thoughtful literary novel that is worth the time it takes to savor it. Very highly recommended."

—Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite, Starred Review
"Flowers for Papa by Margaret Beaver is an unforgettable and engaging YA coming-of-age novel containing dark themes eased by humor. . . . Flowers for Papa is a heartwarming and authentic story containing heart-wrenching moments . . . This fantastic coming-of-age novel is full of emotion, loss, grief, guilt, love, and the pain of being abandoned. I recommend this book to young adult and teenage readers interested in coming-of-age stories about loss, friendship, finding yourself, mental health struggles, and LGBTQIA+ life."

—Emma Megan, Readers' Favorite, Starred Review
"I must say [the] sentence structure and story development are awesome. I am so impressed with [the] style and presentation of the whole book. Overall, Flowers for Papa was a lovely, enjoyable read. I could hardly put it down, and the 130K words flew by. I was sad when it ended, as I felt that I had gotten to know the two main characters very well."

—Steve Braker, Author of the "William Brody" Action-Thriller Series
"Flowers for Papa by Margaret Beaver is a good read. I particularly love a lot about this book; I love the idea of the author switching a first-person narrative . . . and how emotionally gratifying the book could get. . . . I recommend this work to newlyweds, gay people, and folks who love to build a family the right way."

—Anthionette Ejimofor, Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Rich and lyrical. . . The story unfolds in a slow, melancholy rhythm, like the raindrops on a windowpane. Each chapter is a vignette of longing and regret, told in the intimate voices of the main characters. . . Beneath the humorous surface, there's a deep current of grief and longing, exploring the human capacity for resilience and reinvention in the face of tragedy. . . Overall, an intensely rewarding and memorable reading experience."

—Lydia Efobi, Goodreads, Starred Review

Trigger Warnings

This book contains themes and depictions of abuse, sexual content, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, suicidal thoughts, and suicide. Please proceed with caution.