Tree. Table. Book.

(Paperback)

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Description

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 toand pass onwhat matters most.

The latest compelling work from the master storyteller.

When precocious eleven-year-old Sophie sets out to save her elderly neighbor (who is also her dearest friend), her journey will take her through their familiar suburban landscape and then, steadily yet unexpectedly, deeper into a landscape of history and shared stories.

Everyone knows the two Sophies are best friends. One is in elementary school, and one is . . . well . . . in a little trouble of late. Shes elderly, sure, but shes 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 isnt having that. Not one bit. So she sets out to help elder Sophies memory, with the aid of her neighborhood friends Ralphie and Oliver. But when she opens the floodgates of elder Sophies 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.

Reviews

[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 perspectiveand through Lowry-esque observations on the equally well-rounded, well-meaning, and imperfect secondary cast of characters." Horn Book (starred review)

Author Bio

Lois Lowry is the author of more than fiftybooks for children and young adults, including the New York Times bestselling Giver Quartet andthe popular Anastasia Krupnik series. She has received countless honors, among them the Boston GlobeHorn Book Award, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Mark Twain Award. She received Newbery Medals for two of her novels, Number the Stars and The Giver.