Tree. Table. Book.

by Lois Lowry Narrated by Hope Newhouse

Overview

May 2024 AudioFile Earphones Award Winner!

From two-time Newbery medalist Lois Lowry comes this warm and resonant story of an unlikely friendship, which unfolds as a revelation on how we hold on to-and pass on-what matters most.

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

[T]his intergenerational-friendship tale [is] an appealing choice for middle-graders. — Booklist

"[A]musing, and poignat, details...prevent the story from turning maudlin by staying true to one idiosyncratic and well-drawn child's voice and perspective—and through Lowry-esque observations on the equally well-rounded, well-meaning, and imperfect secondary cast of characters." — Horn Book (starred review)

MAY 2024 - AudioFile

This humble and wonderful performance by Hope Newhouse will engage a wide audience. Two Sophies are best friends; one is an elementary school student, and the other is an aging woman who is beginning her struggle with memory loss. When home-care options are weighed, younger Sophie listens to the many memories of elder Sophie. Newhouse's ability to transform her narration to highlight both the stark age difference and the friendship between both characters is a cornerstone of the performance. Listeners will believe these characters really are connected. The story begins with the very fun arrogant thoughts of younger Sophie and melts into melancholy when elder Sophie reveals all the hardships she's been through, such as war. Yet Newhouse emphasizes steadfast hope when Sophie recalls the love she's experienced throughout her lifetime. G.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2024-02-17
In the Newbery-winning author’s latest, a girl grapples with a beloved elder’s dementia.

Eleven-year-old Sophia (who goes by Sophie) Henry Winslow’s best friend is Sophie Gershowitz, her 88-year-old neighbor. Sophie Gershowitz’s adult son is concerned with her cognitive decline and thinks it may be time for her to move to an assisted living facility. The younger Sophie decides to prepare her friend for the cognitive tests so she’ll pass them and be able to stay. When Sophie Gershowitz struggles to recall three words—tree, table, book—Sophie Winslow invites her to recall related childhood stories in the hopes that it will help. Sophie Gershowitz shares slice-of-life tales from her girlhood in Poland before revealing how everything changed when World War II began. Sophie Winslow reflects: “I had never really got it, never understood history, how things fit together, because I needed someone to tell me the stories…of how things are lost, and what that means and how it hurts.” While the explanation of historical events is age-appropriate and at times compelling, the book feels more geared toward an adult sensibility than a child’s. The pacing is slow, and young Sophie’s storyline seems like an overly padded, self-conscious framing device. The protagonist is a quirk-filled bundle of idiosyncrasies; Lowry aims for precocious but sometimes stumbles into pretentious and judgmental, particularly with young Sophie’s attitudes toward her friend Ralphie’s love of junk food. Physical descriptions of characters are minimal.

A tale of intergenerational bonding that may resonate with adult readers but will leave youngsters cold. (Fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159487087
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/23/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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