Louder than Hunger by John Schu

What does it feel like to eat without worry? 

Without a voice constantly 

quacking and crying 

inside your head? 

A voice 

pound, pound, pounding

yell, yell, yelling

ALL DAY.

Foreword: What if someone was brave enough to tell you the truth? What if someone dared to reveal their heart to you? The book that you hold in your hands tells a painful truth. It reveals a beautiful, broken heart. Jake’s heart. Jake is thirteen years old, and he has an eating disorder. You and Jake are about to go on a harrowing journey together; by the time you finish this book, you will be friends. Reading Jake’s story will change you. You might find that you want to reveal your heart, tell someone your truth. Telling your story can save your life. It may save someone else’s life, too. Jake knows this. John Schu knows this. That is why he wrote this book. For you. —Kate DiCamillo

Jake is thirteen. He has a voice in his head that is truly awful and it is voice that controls his actions and thought and he cannot seem to 'turn it off' or ignore it. The voice tells him he is ugly and fat and so he stops eating. He wears really baggy clothes to disguise his body and he weighs himself compulsively.

Grandma: You’re too thin. I worry. I see it even when you’re always wearing those baggy sweaters over your overalls. I don’t think you’re eating enough. You’re a growing boy. 

Me: I eat enough. I promise.

Elementary school was good, high school is torture. Jake takes some comfort though, from musicals. Louder than hunger is an autobiographical story. I used to follow John Schu when he was an ambassador for Scholastic and every time he visited a different city he would talk about the musicals he had attended - often seeing the same show many many times. This used to make me smile but now I know why. Visiting his grandmother is also a comfort. They both love musicals and the same television shows. Finally a former teacher who he visits in the nursing home where he goes as a volunteer alerts his mum that Jake is ill and after a visit to the doctor he goes into a mental health facility for adolescents. In The Pines he meet Kella

I love the way John Schu weaves into his story so many fantastic children's books (of course I would have expected him to do this!) such as Sarah, Plain and Tall; Shiloh; The Giver; Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry; and Where the Sidewalk ends. Jake also quotes poems by Emily Dickinson - I recently talked about this picture book for an IBBY Australia presentation:

Some reviewers list this book for readers aged as young as 12 but this book is so raw and distressing, I think it better suits mature readers aged 15+. The scene where Jake is fitted with a feeding tube is absolutely harrowing. My own connection to this story comes from around 1975 when I visited a mental health facility like the one in this book and I saw teens not much younger than me who were suffering like Jake - that moment had a profound impact on me. 

Written in a combination of non-rhyming poetry and prose, this elegant and unique verse-novel is propulsive and compelling. ... This visceral and raw memoir type book instantly draws the reader in and spits us out at the other end – in the best possible way. Kids' Book Review

Here is a podcast (one hour) where you can hear John Talking about his book.  You can read an extract on the Candlewick publisher page. 

John Schu (Schumacher) has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, and the people that connect them. He was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for his dynamic interactions with students and his passionate adoption of new technologies as a means of connecting authors, illustrators, books, and readers. He is the children’s librarian for Bookelicious, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and shares his love of reading with countless educators and students around the world. He served as the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs for almost 6 years.

You know that I am not a fan of endorsements but so many very famous authors have said such profound (and true) things about this book:

“Louder Than Hunger is a powerful and important book, giving readers entry into the world of a sensitive teen struggling physically and emotionally with crippling anxiety and anorexia. Through his free verse voice, we accompany Jake into his honest, raw, vulnerable world. I think readers of all ages will empathize with him, worry for him, and root for his journey to understanding, recovery, hope, and joy. Those who know the author, John Schu, and have witnessed his boundless enthusiasm and legendary passion for reading and the transformative power of story will connect on an even deeper level upon learning that Jake’s story parallels John Schu’s own. From troubled teen to author and speaker surging with compassion and joy and willing to share it all with the world—that is John Schu.”   —Newbery Medalist Sharon Creech

I read Louder than Hunger on my Kindle but I wanted to show you the way the verse in this novel is set out - it is so sparce and so very powerful. Louder than hunger has over 500 pages but you can see from this example that you can fly through this book and you do fly through because if you are like me you just wanted Jake to feel well again and for that dread anorexia voice to at least quieten down if not completely turn off:

This is not quite the final page but I hope reading these words from Jake will help you see that he will be okay:

I say to Dr. Parker, Thank you for “forcing” me to share complicated, hard-to-think-about thoughts. You helped me see anorexia nervosa isn’t really about food.

Wolf and Bear by Kate Rolfe

You could begin by reading my recent post about picture books that explore the topic of depression. This is a topic I am still pondering. 

If you have read Listen, Hippo! by Gabriel Evans this book - Wolf and Bear - has a similar story line. 

"Sometimes a great heaviness would fall over Bear and the shadows of the mountain would draw him away."

Wolf tries so hard to reach her friend. She brings gifts and has lots of suggestions of games they could play together Then it starts to snow and Wolf invites Bear to skate or skid or slide. But Bear just says no and NO!

Wolf is sad that she cannot reach her friend and so she climbs up the mountain and sings her sorrow to the moon. Bear hears this beautiful sound and so he follows the sound back into the light and back into the arms of his friend. He still does not want to romp and play but ...

"we could sit together and I could listen to you sing ... So that is what they do. Whenever a bright moon rises over the horizon, Bear slips out of the shadow to hear Wolf's song... and she sings it just for (her friend) Bear."

So, this is a book about sadness or depression. It does not offer an easy solution and I was impressed that Bear is 'allowed' to be depressed again from time to time. There is no sense in this book the Bear is wrong or that Bear needs to be fixed. Wolf is just a wonderful friend who wants to bring back their connection but for now sitting together enjoying a sweet song is enough. 

A complex tale containing challenging ideas, but also a rewarding read that reinforces the importance of all forms of creativity in our lives. Just Imagine

Altogether, Wolf and Bear, a picture book of empathy and friendship, around sorrow and darkness, love and understanding, is quite wonderful. Bookwagon loves and recommends this beautiful, beautiful book.

There’s an authenticity about Bear’s experience (and Wolf’s reaction to it) that draws us deep into this story and makes it easy to engage, but fundamental issues about mental health, wellbeing and relationships are also being explored in ways that prompt reflection, discussion and growth. Books for Keeps

You can read more about the way Kate Rolfe creates her art here. 

This book was short listed for the Waterstones Children's book prize 2024. It is the twentieth year of this award. Here is the full set of picture book titles. I have already talked about The Secret Elephant and The Seach for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish:

Companion books to read after Wolf and Bear:

The Rabbit Listened

Listen, Hippo!

Should picture books talk about depression?

This is a very personal topic - my mother suffered from extreme anxiety and at times also depression. I am acutely aware of the impact this can have and so I am extra sensitive to books on this topic especially books for very young children (note The Red Tree is a Young Adult title) and also books that to my eye give simple, simplistic or unrealistic 'solutions' to anxiety, sadness or depression.

IBBY Australia are holding a Mini Masterpiece postcard sized art auction from 18th November, 2023. One of the pieces available at our auction is from The Brown Dog by Gina Inverarity illustrated by Greg Holfeld. This book from 2017 is a new discovery by me. Greg has sent us an original image from this book for the auction. I really like the image which is a kookaburra, but I found story of The Brown Dog quite disturbing. 

The ideas in The Brown Dog are very similar to Mr Huff (Winner of the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year: Early Childhood, 2016).

In The Brown Dog, the actual feelings or emotions of the young child are never directly stated. After many days of feeling alone and unable to participate in his usual routine Grandpa arrives. The boy joins his grandfather and having his company and enjoying things together such as a bush walk, star gazing, and a game of chess mean this young-looking boy is now somehow now able to tell the black dog to leave. Here is a review of The Brown Dog. 

As a 2021-23 CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) picture book judge we were sent this book -  A Blue Kind of Day. Again, this story really troubled me. The solution to the depression experienced by this child seemed way too simple. But the reviewer of the School Library Journal (I am quite amazed this book reached the US market) completely disagrees with me. 

Other reviewers said:

Short sentences beautifully convey how Coen is feeling and simple emotion-filled illustrations capture the feelings of the family members. Empathy, compassion and understanding shine throughout this thoughtful story making this an important book to share together. A Word about Books

The art in this book beautiful.  The illustrations help the reader feel his emotions as he moves through them. Storytime Solidarity

A loving tribute to the power of loved ones’ support during trying times. Kirkus star review

About the illustrator: Tori-Jay Mordey is an Indigenous Australian illustrator whose work traverses multiple mediums, such as digital illustration, drawing, painting, printmaking, film and murals. Her Torres Strait Islander and English heritage is often reflected in her contemporary Indigenous art practice- producing work based around her family and siblings as a way of understanding herself, her appearance and racial identity. She is based in Brisbane, Australia.

But here are somethings I noticed about this book: the author and illustrator biographic notes were oddly positioned. The convention is to usually place information like this at the back of the book. Coen has such an odd face which at times looks quite adult and his sister's face also conveys emotions that are hard to understand. The extensive notes at the back of this book by the psychologist author just make feel too didactic for my taste.

Here are two other books on this topic that I am keen to read:

Now you might like to read Shaun Tan's commentary on his book The Red Tree.

I'd also been increasingly aware that illustration is a powerful way of expressing feeling precisely because it lies outside of verbal language, as many emotions can be hard to articulate in words. I thought it would therefore be interesting to produce an illustrated book that is all about feelings, unframed any storyline context, in some sense going ‘directly to the source’. 

Back to my question - should children's books talk about depression?  I don't have a definitive answer but I do think this is a topic to handle with care. Parents, teachers and other gate keepers perhaps need to make individual decisions about the suitability of each of these books in the context of their own child. Again, speaking personally, when Mr Huff was shortlisted I did read it to some groups in my library - but not the youngest children in Kindergarten or Grade One. Perhaps I was wrong. I would love to read your comments.

Breathing Underwater by Sarah Allen

In September last year I compiled a blog post with the title "This book made me cry". I listed books I had read (and cried over) and also books that other people suggested on Facebook.  One of the books suggested by someone was Breathing Underwater.  This is moving story but it didn't make me cry. I found the plot a little repetitive and the ending was more or less predicable. 

This book was one of my mystery bargain purchases. Why was this book so cheap? One of our big bookstore chain stores has been culling their shelves. Originally this book was priced at AUS$23 and it was added to the store in August, 2022. I paid AUS$5 in July, 2023. 

Publisher blurb: Olivia is on the cross-country road trip of her dreams, complete with her favourite aunt and uncle, National Geographic magazines, and her big sister, Ruth. Once they reach San Diego, they have a plan to uncover a time capsule they buried when they moved away three years ago. Olivia can't wait to take pictures of the sights, adventures, and memories—but what she wants most is to make her sister happy again. Ruth has depression, and it seems to Olivia, who knows Ruth's signs, that things are getting worse. But as the road winds on and they get closer to their old home, she'll realise that love, not fixing, is all she can give. Breathing Underwater is the second novel from Sarah Allen, a big-hearted exploration of sisterhood, dreams, and what it means to be there for someone you love.

Olivia's sister Ruth is clearly very unwell so it seemed strange to me that she is sent on this road trip with her relatives and sister. No one seems to put much effort into talking to Ruth or making sure she is eating. Olivia is very young but at times her voice and naive outlook actually annoyed me. I did like the way she used her camera to record the tiny moments from their trip but I needed more background information about their time capsule. Why they buried it, what it contained and where? I did relate to Olivia's need to heal her sister and her anxious monitoring of her sister's mood but this book just didn't grab me.  Kirkus disagree - their reviewer enjoyed the voice of Olivia and the sisters heartfelt relationship. 

Here is an interview with Sarah Allen where she talks about Breathing Underwater.

This is another book where a young girl has to cope with the mental illness of their sibling. 

Everywhere Blue (Verse novel)

Xavier in the Meantime by Kate Gordon

"Sunday's affirmation: I will take a chance on ideas, 

even if they seem ridiculous or dangerous. 

I will let my heart have a chance to soar."

"Thursday's affirmation: I will write out my feelings. I will write out my sadness. 

I will turn my emotions into beautiful words."

Let's begin with the title - Xavier in the Meantime. Xavier is the main character in this book but he also has a special and deeply insightful friend in Aster. Meantime? Does this mean time moves on? I guess I am thinking of meanwhile life goes on - regardless of what is happening. Does it mean the period of time between two events—between the current time and the time when something else happens. Yes.  But you can think about this in another way - mean time. Daily life can be mean for Xavier. He is haunted by the black dog. You will know this is an expression that signifies depression. 

Xavier has been unwell for a long time. The voice in his head tells him that it is his fault his dad has moved back to the family farm. The voice in is head tells him that his mother must be so happy to take a break from him when he goes to visit his father. The voice in his head fills Xavier with doubt - doubt that he will ever escape from the black dog that sits snarling in the corner of his room and follows him through his day. But Xavier is also a problem solver. He wants to find a way to help himself, to help others, to help his mum and dad. 

Publisher blurb: Sometimes Xavier wakes up feeling hopeless. Every new doctor … this will fix it. Removing him from school … this will fix it. The therapy group … this will fix it.  And his dad moving out. Maybe, this will fix it. Despite his positive affirmations, the black dog never really leaves him. It watches from the corner of his room, never straying too far away—waiting for the perfect opportunity to sink its teeth in. But Xavier has a plan—one he hopes will help all the kids in his support group. Enlisting the help of best friend Aster, he tries to convince his dad to turn the family sheep farm into a therapy retreat for the group session kids. But he is up against decades of tradition, his parents who are on a “break,” and the spectre of the black dog.  Can Xavier learn to cherish the moments in between the struggles—the moments in the meantime?

At the end of this book, which I devoured in one sitting, I felt so moved.  I wanted to write to the author, Kate Gordon, and try to express my complex, heartfelt, personal and very emotional response to her newest book. My mother had complex mental health needs. Like Xavier, I know many of her days were a huge struggle. This book touched my heart. 

Xavier in the Meantime is the sequel to Aster's Right Good Things but I am happy to say it does stand alone too. The publisher notes use the word companion volume and that seems like a better description. Xavier in the Meantime will be published on 1st February, 2022. Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance reader copy. 

This is a delightful yet deeply meaningful tale from Kate Gordon exploring another often misunderstood mental health issue. Depression can’t always be ‘fixed’ and what worked last time, might not work this time. Thoroughly recommended as reading for all, from around age 11 and upwards to adults at all stages of life. Rachel on GoodReads

In 2016 Kate Gordon won our IBBY Australia Ena Noel award for her book Writing Clementine. 

Aster's good right things by Kate Gordon

Blurb: "I can't let go of them - the good, right things - because if I do I'll turn into a cloud and I'll float away, and a storm will come and blow me to nothing. Eleven-year-old Aster attends a school for gifted kids, but she doesn't think she's special at all. If she was her mother wouldn't have left. Each day Aster must do a good thing - a challenge she sets herself, to make someone else's life better. Nobody can know about her things, because then they won't count. And if she doesn't do them, she's sure everything will go wrong. Then she meets Xavier. He has his own kind of special missions to make life better. When they do these mission together, Aster feels free, but if she stops doing her good, right things, will everything fall apart?"

The reviewer at Little Big Reads sums up my reaction and perhaps difficulty with this book which is a rewarding one to read but at the same time the journey is harrowing. Rebekah Lyell says : "If you’ve been there, I feel like your experience of the story will be different from others that read it."

In this first person narrative we can see right inside Aster. She is a deeply sensitive girl who finds so many aspects of her life extremely difficult. Aster is good at communicating with us (the reader) about her inner most thoughts and deep sadness but she is not good at communicating with her dad or other close family members. Instead she blames herself for every wrong thing and works hard to protect her dad by assuring him that things are going okay when clearly they are not. The biggest wrong thing of all is that Aster's mother left the family when Aster was ten and the real heart break around this is that Aster blames herself. We are not told much about Aster's mother but it is very clear she has serious mental health issues. For personal reasons I found some parts of this story very confronting but the writing is so beautifully crafted and the relationships so beautifully explored and so I do recommend Aster's good right things for sensitive readers aged 10+. If you have read The illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson you will have some idea about the tone and themes of this book. The difference here is that it is Aster herself who is also struggling with depression. 

By coincidence as I have been writing this post (over a couple of days because I have found it difficult to express my ideas) ABC All in the Mind presented this program - "Parenting with a mental illness". In this interview the author Michelle Vasiliu talks about her book, her children and her experiences.

I do find books which touch on issues of mental health and mental illness "hard" to read.  I'm thinking of books like The Elephant by Peter Caarnavas; The Red Tree by Shaun Tan; The illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson; Nest by Esther Ehrlich; and Against the Odds by Marjolijn Hof; 

Kate Gordon interviewed by Megan Daley:  If you could have one wish for the world what would that be? Just more kindness. More understanding and acceptance of difference. Everyone has value and a place in this world. 

The book has some heavy hitting themes - parental separation, mental health, friendship, fostering and neglect, identity, growth, change - but Gordon handles it with care and love. NZ Book Lovers

I am so delighted that Aster’s Good, Right Things exists. I hope it (and similar books) can introduce the reality of childhood mental illness and the importance of being gentle with children like Aster. Laura's Adventures in Literature

I fell in love with Aster, and wanted to hug her, Xavier and Indigo. I wanted to reach into the book and help them, to be there for them. The Book Muse

I would pair Aster's right good things with these:

Butterflies for Grandpa Joe by Nicola Davies illustrated by Mike Byrne

Young Ben is the quiet hero of this story.  His beautiful grandmother has died and Grandpa Joe is very deeply sad. So sad he cannot get off the couch and he does not respond to Ben's attempts to get him engaged, even though Ben visits nearly ever day.  Ben knows his grandfather had a special interest in, and love of butterflies. Ben hatches a plan to help his grandfather. He buys a butterfly kit but this process will take time from egg to caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly and time is something Ben doesn't have because mum and dad think Joe now needs to go into care. They plan to sell his grandpa's house very soon.

The family structure in this book is a little complex but that adds to the emotion of the story. Take another look at the title formatting. You can see "FOR" in capitals and bold. The butterflies are more than a gift they are the key to helping Grandpa Joe find his way again.

You can read the first chapter of this book on the Barrington Stoke web site.

This is a beautiful story. Nicola Davies has captured that special bond across the generations that so frequently exists between grandparents and their grandchildren. Ben loves his grandpa and Grandpa Joe loves Ben too but grief has left the old man unable to display this love anymore. I admired Ben’s determination to try to help. Library Lady

If you have not yet discovered these little easy chapter books from Barrington Stoke can I recommend you head off to your local bookshop or library. I have read quite a few of them now and they are all terrific. If work in a school library these books should be an essential edition to your collection.

The Bakery of Happiness

White Feather

The Smile

After reading this book your young reader might be curious about the life cycle of butterflies. In your library head to the non fiction shelves [598.78]. These books are well worth exploring:

 

The secrets we keep by Nova Weetman

An astute reader will pick up the early hints about the truth of Clem's life circumstances in this book The Secrets we keep.  You might not completely guess the truth but you may be suspicious that all is not quite as it seems.  Do not flip to the back of the book.  It is worth taking the journey with Clem as she comes to terms with her complex family life and recent tragedy.

"My mum died,' I say, causing Ellie to stop in the middle of the basketball courts.  ... I have a yucky metallic taste in my mouth.  Why did I have to start here?  Why did Mum have to come into my story now?"

Clem (Clementine) is the narrator.  Her house has burned down.  She and her dad have moved into a drab and tiny flat in a new area and Clem has to begin at a new school.  It is near the end of Year Six and she has left behind her best friend and lost all her precious possessions in the fire.  Dad will not talk about mum.  The reasons are complex.  Clem needs to face her fear and find forgiveness.

This is a book about fitting in.  It is also about truth.  Here is the author web site.  For more information read this review.  Older students might like to compare The secrets we keep with The Illustrated mum by Jacqueline Wilson and Starry Nights by Judith Clarke.

Mr Huff by Anna Walker

Cloudy with a chance of rain

Life is all about perception.  How we see the day can affect our mood.  How we react to friends or events can also 'cloud' our feelings.

Mr Huff is another title listed on the CBCA Notables for 2016.

Everyone has bad mood days.  Bill explains this by imagining Mr Huff - a large, grey blob that over shadows his day.  Mr Huff begins as a small, dark cloud when Bill wakes up but through the morning as things go "wrong" Mr Huff grows.

"He couldn't find his favourite socks
He spilt the milk and his cereal was soggy"

After two days Bill of torment realises he needs to take some action.  He tells Mr Huff "I hate you ... I wish you were never here."

One of the deepest parts of this book comes at this point.  Having confronted Mr Huff,  Bill now looks into his face and sees the reflection of his own sadness.  This where the story turns.  Bill can stay sad and keep seeing the world as a gloomy place where his is alone and perhaps 'depressed' or he can take charge and change things for himself.

Bill decides to see the world in a new way. The puddles are fun.  The sun is shining.  The footpath glistens. The neighborhood kids are ready to play.  Make sure you look at the end papers which reflect this change in Bill.

Here is a review you might like to read.  Here is the web page for the talented Anna Walker and my review of her previously short listed book Peggy. You might also enjoy visiting an exhibition about this book in Melbourne.  Here is a review in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The day was cloudy with a chance of sunshine

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L Holm

I am putting a little image here of Babymouse because I can hardly believe this but Turtle in Paradise is by Jennifer Holm who also wrote the Babymouse series.

Turtle in Paradise feels like a book from a completely different author. The setting here, for this middle to upper primary novel, is Key West in Florida.  The date is June 1935 and America is in the grip of the depression.  Poverty and hardship pervade life of the characters in this book and it is precisely because of this poverty that Turtle finds herself living away from her mother with her harassed and overworked aunt and boisterous collection of boy cousins.  "Truth is the place looks like a broken chair that's been left out in the sun to rot."

Key West is a tiny community where everyone knows everyone else and nearly everyone is related. Within hours of her arrival everyone knows about Turtle and they know her mum is far away working as a maid.  Aunt Minnie has no time for the new arrival.  "This is just like Sadiebelle.  She never thinks.  As if I don't have enough already with three kids and a husband who's never home ... And you bought a cat?"

The three kids are named Kermit, Beans and Buddy.  Along with their friend Pork Chop these boys are The Diaper Gang - they mind crying babies and change diapers in exchange for candy.  Turtle is not allowed to join this gang because girls are not allowed but she tags along.  What these boys don't know yet is that Turtle is a strong willed and very capable.  She has no interest in Shirley Temple but she does have a huge dream of a special house to share with her mum.  Along with her aunt and cousins, two other important people live at Key West - Turtle's angry grandmother Nana Philly and an old fisherman called Slow Poke.  Within weeks of her arrival Turtle has a job and she has begun to forge a relationship with her cantankerous grandmother.

Here is a flavour of the story - a description of a cut up :

"After we finish swimming, we have a cut-up.  A cut-up is something these Conch kids do every chance they get. Each kid brings whatever they can find lying around or hanging on a tree - sugar apple, banana, mango, pineapple, alligator pear (avocado), guava, cooked potatoes and even raw onions.  They take a big bowl, cut it all up, and season it with Old Sour, which is made form key lime juice, salt and hot peppers.  Then they pass it around with a fork and everyone takes a bite.  It's the strangest fruit salad I've ever had, but it's tasty."

There are only 177 pages in this book but it contains so many fabulous twists and turns you will find yourself spinning and smiling and definitely cheering for our special heroine Turtle.

My only real disappointment with this book comes from never really discovering why Turtle is called Turtle although I think I can make an educated guess.  Here is a good review and if I haven't convinced you that this is a terrific book here is another very detailed review from Jen Robinson.

You might also enjoy Waiting for Normal.

Turtle in Paradise won a Newbery honor (2010) so there are lots of book trailers - here is one that I like.  Here is a set of questions and a vocabulary list. One of the interesting ways I have already used this book was at a parent talk last week.  I think I convinced some of my audience that I had actually been to Florida - I love this aspect of reading when you feel as though you have really been a participant in a book long after you have finished reading.

Holm’s voice for Turtle is winning and authentic—that of a practical, clear-eyed observer—and her nimble way with dialogue creates laugh-out-loud moments. Sweet, funny and superb

Black-eyed Susan by Jennifer Armstrong

Here is another old book which we have had to take out of our library due to wear and tear. Black-eyed Susan is a mix of Little House on the Prairie and Sarah Plain and Tall. I need to hunt for a replacement copy (1997).

Susie lives on the plains of Dakota. Even though I am not at all familiar with this landscape, Armstrong is such a lyrical writer I have a vivid picture in my mind from her words. 

“There wasn’t a tree within twenty miles of us, just some twisty box elders and cottonwoods along the creek … we shared the view again seeing how the land lay about us and fell in swells and rises, the movement of the wind visible in the movement of the grass.”

Susie lives in a sod house made from the earth with her mother and father but while Susie celebrates life every day by standing on the roof, arms outstretched to welcome the sun, her mother is living in the fog a deep depression. She can no longer leave the house and seems unable to smile or enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Susie and her father travel to town. Susie sees a piano for the first time and has fun interacting with the owners of the local general store. On the way home they meet up with a family of eight from Iceland who are moving west to start a new life. Susie and her father invite them to stay the night and this encounter becomes a turning point for Susie’s mother. She can now move on with her life and she might even bake a pie!

The title comes from the flowers her father plants each year on the roof of their sod house. 

“Every spring he planted them thick on the roof .. and when they bloomed in summer you could see our house standing out from the green prairie from just miles away.”

I probably should not have reviewed this book since it is no longer in our school library but perhaps you will be lucky and find one somewhere. If not you must read Sarah Plain and Tall and you might also enjoy Hill Hawke Hattie by Clara Gillow Clark. There is also a sod house in the Laura Ingalls Wilder book On the Banks of Plum Creek. You can see some photos of actual sod houses here. 

This happy ending seems a little unrealistic, but children will find it satisfying. The story has a strong sense of character, e.g., Susie's language as she narrates depicts a child in love with the literature her mother reads in their isolation. The emotional hardships of pioneer life are made clear in a loving family story. Kirkus