Tree. Table. Book. Remember those words.
Sophie is 11 years old and has a best friend named Sophie. Even though the two Sophies are 77 years apart in age they like the same things, love to drink tea together, and live beside each other. Old Sophie is starting to forget some things, but that doesn't matter to young Sophie. One day Sophie happened to overhear - NOT eavesdropping since she was already in the next room and does not approve of eavesdropping except possibly for the FBI- but she overheard her parents talking about Sophie and the fact that her son is coming to visit. When she asked about why he was coming, her parents explained that Sophie was forgetting things and he was coming to take her to a doctor for a test. After some research in a medical manual, young Sophie decides to help old Sophie to prepare for the test.
In the course of trying to help old Sophie remember, young Sophie is treated to stories that old Sophie has never told anyone. Each word - tree, table, book - has a poignant story of when Sophie was young in Poland and a war was coming and Jews were treated very poorly. It is not blatantly told, but Sophie mentions that people treated them differently since they wore stars on their clothes.
When Sophie’s son comes, she is glad to see him and of course she is packed up and going to a place that is very nice according to the adults. Young Sophie will greatly miss her dear friend, but they make plans to connect through phone every week.
This is a much better book than the overview I just shared with you. Sophie (young) is very funny and bright. I knew I was going to like this book in the first few pages when I read about her giving her mother (who is not a great cook even though she has a college diploma on the wall) a copy of Ina Garten’s cookbook and mentions that the family would be so happy if she would make these recipes especially the Chocolate Pecan Meringue Torte on page 183. The story is written as though Sophie is talking to the reader. “I told you about Ralphie, but now I am going to explain him.”
There is one place where old Sophie tells a joke to young Sophie and mentions that she wore a low-cut dress, and her boobies were almost showing. Of course this was not true, and the two just laugh and move on. Other than that, it has nothing inappropriate.
I have enjoyed every single Lois Lowry book I have read and I have read a lot of them. I recommend this book.
Lois Lowry is a two-time Newbery Medal winner. She won the prestigious award for Number the Stars and The Giver. Lois lives in Maine, but often flees to Florida in winter for a bit of sun (her words.)
Reviewed by Audrey Campbell, MED
Reading Specialist and Library Media Center Director
Valley Adventist Schools, Rogers Campus
