Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry
A beautiful friendship, courage, and resilience set against the backdrop of a historical tragedy. It explores themes of survival and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The story will stay with the reader long after they close the book.
Review By: Denise Stillitano
Published: 2024; Clarion Books
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Family, Mental Health
Audience: 5, 6, 7
Triggers: Themes of Loss, Death & Grief, Emotional Struggles
Goodreads Review: Everyone knows the two Sophies are best friends. One is in elementary school, and one is . . . well . . . in a little trouble of late. She’s elderly, sure, but she’s always been on her game, the best friend any girl struggling to fit in could ever have. The Sophies drink tea, have strong opinions about pretty much everything, and love each other dearly. Now it seems the elder Sophie is having memory problems, burning teakettles, and forgetting just about everything. It looks like her son is going to come and get her and steal her away forever. Young Sophie isn’t having that. Not one bit. So she sets out to help elder Sophie’s memory, with the aid of her neighborhood friends Ralphie and Oliver. But when she opens the floodgates of elder Sophie’s memories, she winds up listening to stories that will illustrate just how much there is to know about her dear friend, stories of war, hunger, cruelty, and ultimately love.
Review: "Lois Lowry has created more intriguing characters in this latest release in her repertoire. Eleven year old Sophie is best friends with 88 year old Sophie, her neighbor. From the beginning, we hear young Sophie's voice clearly and with animation. She likes to make lists, does not like hobbies her mother suggests, and prefers to chat with her elderly neighbor above all others. Her world quickly becomes wobbly when she overhears a conversation about Sophie's declining memory and need to move her from her home. Young Sophie comes up with a plan, and with the aid of other neighborhood children, they uncover more of Sophie
Gershowitz's past than they ever dreamed possible.
The endearing friendship and bond that the Sophies share is beautiful and shows that connections to others can be found anywhere we look. Young Sophie learns a lot from Sophie Gershowitz, including the surprising topics of world history, war, and cruelty. She also learns how to be a good friend to others in her life beyond Sophie and what love truly looks and sounds like. Teachers could clearly make connections with this book and others like Wonder, Fish in a Tree, and Rules, as well as The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Number the Stars, and Surviving Hitler. The narration kept the story moving quickly along with short chapters and handled difficult topics with new understanding and questions. The reader follows young Sophie through emotions, questions, and, ultimately, understanding."
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