01/22/2024

Lowry (Gossamer) movingly explores the unusual, intergenerational friendship between two Sophies: widowed 88-year-old Polish-born Sophie Gershowitz and 11-year-old Sophie Winslow, next-door neighbors in a small New Hampshire town. The two enjoy what Sophie Winslow calls a “friendship of the heart,” sharing a love for conducting Prokofiev recordings, the color mauve, and Sophie Gershowitz’s elderly cat. Young Sophie narrates the friends’ story in a direct, unembellished voice as a writing exercise and, following the advice of a visiting writer (“Begin on the day that is different”), zeroes in on the moment she overhears a disturbing conversation between her parents about her elderly friend’s weakening cognitive abilities. Determined to prove this is untrue—even while experiencing events that steadily reveal the opposite—she guides older Sophie through Merck Manual–recommended cognitive tests, along the way learning poignant truths about her friend’s past. Clear-eyed, sympathetic Sophie is an astute observer and straightforward protagonist, and her relationship with Sophie Gershowitz, as well as with her parents and other friends—including her seven-year-old autistic neighbor—radiate genuine warmth. The novel’s spare language and matter-of-fact recounting enhance its rich emotional core. All characters present as white; Sophie Gershowitz is Jewish. Ages 8–12. (Apr.)

[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)

04/05/2024

Gr 3–7—Two-time Newbery award-winner Lowry's latest is a sentimental look at the painful effects of memory loss on friends and family. Lowry crafts a story within a story about a writer reflecting on one defining moment that shaped her life. That moment was when thoughtful and sensitive 11-year-old Sophia said goodbye to her best friend and neighbor, 88-year-old Sophie Gershowitz, a Jewish immigrant from Poland about to enter assisted living due to dementia. While Sophia tries to prove that her older friend has strong enough cognitive functioning to continue living on her own, she discovers how words evoke powerful memories. Educators could use this text to encourage astute observations in future writers while acknowledging the complexities of perception and storytelling, and to illustrate examples of figurative language. Social workers could use this text in lessons about coming to terms with illness and aging loved ones. At about 200 pages, this title has appeal for those on the younger end of middle grade, too. Lowry skillfully depicts the tenderness of nostalgia, and yearning for a return to different times. VERDICT A sweet story of friendship across generations about a timely and tough topic, with broad appeal.—Laura Dooley-Taylor

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

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)