Publishers Weekly
05/12/2014
Parenteau (Bears in the Bath) deftly incorporates the 1926 Friendship Dolls project—in which American children collected and sent more than 12,000 dolls to Japanese children as a gesture of friendship—into the story of 11-year-old Lexie Lewis, who has been sent to live with her strict paternal grandparents in Portland, Ore. Her father dead in a car crash and her insouciant flapper mother remarried, Lexie is struggling to adapt to her new circumstances. Her class has contributed a doll to send to Japan, and when Lexie learns she has a chance to rejoin her mother at a farewell party for the dolls in San Francisco, she’s determined to win that opportunity. While Lexie encounters more than her share of bad luck, she never stops persevering. In Parenteau’s well-conceived story, transformations come slowly and believably; Lexie warms to her grandparents and mischievous neighbor, Jack; her grandmother comes through for her in unexpected ways; and even her nemesis, a snotty classmate, shows some character. Parenteau weaves in information about the Friendship Dolls so subtly that it never overshadows Lexie’s story; an author’s note explains the project in full. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
Tender and funny, this story of friendship and family is reminiscent of Beverly Cleary’s work. Fans of Ramona will have no trouble connecting with and rooting for lively and likable Lexie, and doll aficionados will also enjoy this engaging title.
—School Library Journal
In Parenteau’s well-conceived story, transformations come slowly and believably... Parenteau weaves in information about the Friendship Dolls so subtly that it never overshadows Lexie’s story; an author’s note explains the project in full.
—Publishers Weekly
Period details from the actual 1926 exchange of Friendship Dolls provide fascinating context for this old-fashioned heroine’s journey of personal growth. ... Historically inclined readers will enjoy this heartwarming story and its feisty heroine.
—Kirkus Reviews
Set in 1926, this moving description of a child’s coming to terms with a new family arrangement includes a real event: an exchange of dolls between Japanese and U.S. schoolchildren conceived as a message of peace. Period details abound, but what rings most historically true is the 11-year-old’s relationship with dolls: Emily Grace, who will carry goodwill messages to Japan; and Annie, recipient of confidences and not a few tears.
—Booklist
The true story of how American children sent more than twelve thousand dolls to Japan in 1927—to promote friendship, trust, and future peace—serves as backdrop to this well-crafted, involving story.
—The Horn Book
The 1920s setting is nicely rendered through dialogue and descriptive details, and Lexie is a sympathetic heroine. The doll “ambassadors of peace” premise is also interesting and historically true, and an author’s note on the real story is provided.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Students will relate to Lexie as she faces her dilemmas. She is a realistic character.
—Library Media Connection
School Library Journal - Audio
★ 11/01/2014
Gr 3–7—Lexie Lewis is a troubled 11-year-old girl whose life is in turmoil because of the death of her father and absence of her mother. Lexie's mother prefers her new husband and carefree lifestyle to the responsibilities of motherhood, and she sends her daughter to live with her paternal grandparents in Portland, OR. Meanwhile, Lexie's school class participates in a remarkable, little-known historical event, the 1926 Friendship Doll exchange with Japan, and Lexie encounters injustice when a condescending classmate steals her entry in the doll contest and wins a trip to San Francisco, where Lexie's mother resides. Lexie desperately wants to be reunited with her mother, so she perseveres, realistically growing in maturity. Eventually, she realizes that love is more about steadfastness than glamour and constant excitement and that true friendship might come in the form of an annoying boy. Fascinating historical details about life in the 1920s, including travel by ship to pre-Golden Gate San Francisco, are seamlessly woven throughout the story. Kate Reinders's narration is masterfully performed. This is a captivating tale that may motivate students to seek additional information about the 1920s and the Friendship Doll exchange, including viewing the online doll photographs and background details.—Rebecca R. James, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville, TN
School Library Journal
07/01/2014
Gr 3–6—The year is 1926, and 11-year-old Lexie is having a difficult time adjusting to her new life with her grandparents in Portland, Oregon, after her widowed mother remarries. She still grieves for her father who died in a car accident and misses her fun-loving, free-wheeling (and somewhat neglectful) flapper mother. In addition, she has trouble making friends at school and finds conforming to her grandmother's "old-fashioned" set of rules a challenge. When Lexie's school offers a writing contest in which the winning student will accompany a handmade "friendship doll" to a celebration in San Francisco, she is determined to win and reunite with her mother. However, a series of white lies, a stolen contest entry, and an unexpected trip to San Francisco throw Lexie's own life into turmoil as she struggles to find happiness and do the right thing. The story is based on a historical occurrence amid growing international tensions, when more than 12,000 dolls were created by school children nationwide and shipped to Japan as a gesture of peace. Tender and funny, this story of friendship and family is reminiscent of Beverly Cleary's work. Fans of Ramona will have no trouble connecting with and rooting for lively and likable Lexie, and doll aficionados will also enjoy this engaging title.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library
SEPTEMBER 2014 - AudioFile
It's 1926. Lexi's father has recently passed away, and her mother (“that flapper,” according to Grandma) has left Lexi in the care of her grandparents while she pursues a career on the stage. With a youthful voice and a precise, engaging delivery, Kate Reinders hits all the emotional notes in this heartwarming coming-of-age story. Pining for her mother, Lexi focuses on winning a school contest that could reunite them. Unfortunately, the competition isn't fair. Reinders's determined, high-pitched voice conveys Lexi's resiliency throughout, while her use of hushed tones reveals Lexi's vulnerability. Despite her loneliness, Lexi comes to find friends and allies around her, including her neighbor, Jack, whose endearing devilishness shines in Reinders's raspy voice. A.S. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2014-05-14
An 11-year-old girl living in Portland, Oregon, in 1926 learns about love when she plans to leave her protective grandparents to join her unconventional mother.Following her father's death and her mother's remarriage, Lexie was sent to live with her strict paternal grandparents, who don't approve of her free-spirited, flapper mother. When her class participates in a project to buy a doll to send with thousands of other dolls from across America to Japan for the Hinamatsuri festival, Lexie's determined to win a contest for the best letter to accompany the doll, as the winner will attend a send-off party in San Francisco, where her mother will be singing. In her frenzy to win, Lexie disappoints her teacher, grandmother and best friend, Jack, with her thoughtless acts, mishaps and half-truths. Learning from her mistakes, Lexie drafts the perfect letter—which a classmate surreptitiously steals and successfully passes off as her own. When her grandparents sacrifice to send her to San Francisco anyway, Lexie must choose between their steady love and her mother's frivolous affection. Period details from the actual 1926 exchange of Friendship Dolls provide fascinating context for this old-fashioned heroine's journey of personal growth.Historically inclined readers will enjoy this heartwarming story and its feisty heroine. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 8-12)
