The Orange Shoes

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4
Delly Porter's happy life includes her closely knit, though poor, family; her wise, appreciative teacher; and her love of art. Miss Violet encourages the children's families to take part in a "Shoebox Social" to raise funds for art supplies. As this festive event approaches, Delly, who still walks to school barefoot in October, must face many challenges while confirming the difficulties that life offers. Her father desperately needs new tires for his truck but surprises Delly with a new pair of shoes for the social. She can't wait to show them off, and wears them at recess with disastrous results. The mean girls stomp on them and do their best to scuff and gouge the beautiful orange leather. Devastated, she does the only thing she knows how to do; she gets out some paints and decorates her shoebox and her shoes with pretty vines and flowers. Delly's box commands the highest bid, but it comes from an unlikely source. This warm, heartfelt story is best suited for sharing aloud with children and their parents. The narrative is long and somewhat complex. Ettlinger's portrayal of Delly's rural home and the glimpses of her family and school life add a strong sense of place to this poignant offering.
—Andrea TarrCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.