Lois Lowry is known for putting real life issues into a wonderful storyline. Her newest book, Tree. Table. Book., lives up to that reputation. In an interview about the upcoming book, she notes how often she writes about the relationship between the elderly and the young. This book explores that connection with the rapport between two Sophies, one who has just turned eleven and her best friend who is eighty-eight.
The first and primary life issue can be guessed early by any reader with experience in tests for dementia. The first chapter has four sentences and three words – House. Umbrella. Apple. – with the admonition to remember the words. The second life issue is the common one of not being accepted into the middle school “in” group that feeds her friendship with her neighbor Ralphie and their other friendship with seven-year-old Oliver whose description places him on the autism spectrum and adds the third issue of acceptance of people who may be different.
Lois nails the voice of an eleven-year-old nerd in great humor as young Sophie gives writing advice and vocabulary understanding. She also creates a sympathetic character as the young Sophie is in denial and seeking unrealistic fixes to the problems that the elder Sophie faces in the early stages of dementia.
This book will be an enjoyable read for anyone who is middle grade and up. It will be particularly appropriate for those dealing with a loved one who has dementia, perhaps as a family read-aloud with discussion to follow. I read it in an advance reading copy (twice!). It is out today, April 23, and is available in the usual places.